Czech News Daily

The Bank Card Association has announced that the use of credit cards in the Czech Republicis on the decline. Both clients and banks are to blame equally for the decline. People fear debts and therefore reject cards. Banks, in turn, are concerned that customers wont be able to pay their fees.  Source:  LN 17

A Chinese city located close to Shanghai is interested in purchasing the Expo pavillion and already has a place where they would like to put it.  Both sides will soon start negotiations on the sale of the Czech pavillion which has been very popular at the Expo.  The Czechs have invested approximately CZK 500 million in the pavillion and would be happy to recoup some of their investment.  Source:  novinky.cz

When comparing the European Union member countries in the years 2000-2009, the Czech Republic was always among countries with a below-average value of the “misery index”. This is an important indicator for the economy of the country.  The combinations of the rising number of people without jobs and rising indicates a decline in the economic performance of each country.  In comparison to other EU countries, the Czech Republic is in 8th place on the misery index right behind Germany.  Spirce:  finance.cz

According to the civic association Oživení, the Prague Open Card has cost the capital city CZK 43 million in mistakes alone.  The city has lost money because some contracts were paid for twice, contractual penalties were not enforces and buy outdated technology was purchased.  Source:  lidovky.cz

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has paid out CZK 223 million for housing allowances. A total of 100 319 households or individuals have found themselves in a very difficult financial situation and have had problems with paying their rent. In addition, the Ministry gave CZK 49 million, which it divided among 20 000 people as a supplement to their housing costs.  Source:  novinky.cz

The movie blockbuster Avatar attracted droves of people resulting in record sales for local cinemas. Movie goers spent CZK 416 million on movie tickets which is CZK 93 million more than the same period last year.  3.494 million people went to the movies between January to March which was up by a staggering 227 000 more people than last year.  Source:  E15.cz

From this Autumn Clients ot the travel agency, Exim Tours will fly to
their holiday destination with the charter company Travel Service.
This will make Travel Service the main carrier for Exim and ends a 6
year partnership with Czech Airlines.  It is rumoured that Travel
Service is attempting to rid the market of ČSA by price dumping.
Source:  most Czech press

The Prague metro has become one of the safest underground railways in
the world. The new counter terrorism system is designed to protect
passengers in the event that terrorists attempt to attack the subway
system with poisonous gases.  The system has been in development since
1996.  Source:  iDNes.cz

The board of directors of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes
(ÚSTR) yesterday removed from office the institute’s head Jiří Pernes.
Pernes, who only took up the post in early April, had previously faced
accusations of studying for a degree in Marxism-Leninism, had support of
four board members until a new allegation emerged that he has
plagiarised an earlier work in his publication on the history of the Lidové
Noviny newspaper. Deputy head Zdeněk Hazdra has been named interim
director. Source: most Czech press

The Prague Metro is to launch a new security system designed to protect
passengers from a toxic gas terrorist attack. The system of sensors, which
immediately analyses the gas and the danger it poses is connected to the
control centre and to the police. New explosion-proof litter bins, weighing
half a tonne and costing almost CZK 90,000 each, are also to be installed
at the stations. Prague Public Transport Company also invested in a new
CCTV system. Source: MfD 4