Daily news summary
Czech Republic ranks 24th in world in quality of life survey
The Czech Republic ranks 24th out of 149 states in terms of quality of life, according to a survey conducted by consultants Deloitte in cooperation with the non-profit Social Progress Imperative. The country climbed two places compared to last year’s Social Progress, even though it received fewer points than in 2018.
The Czech Republic made most progress in economic indicators. It finished ahead of the USA in the survey, in which Norway ranked first, followed by Denmark and Switzerland.
Social Watch report: inequalities prevail in Czech Republic
The Czech branch of the NGO Social Watch, an international anti-poverty advocacy group, has criticized the Czech Republic for cheap labour, gender pay gaps and inequality in access to education. In its annual report for 2019 released on Wednesday, the group also criticizes the Czech government for not adopting any measures to reduce the effects of climate change.
According to the report, the Czech Republic is lacking long-term strategies to solve these problems and any improvement of the situation would be due to external influences rather than by the Czechs’ efforts.
Prague State Attorney’s Office: decision to halt PM’s investigation is legally binding
The decision to halt an investigation into suspected fraud by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and members of his family is legally binding, since no one has lodged a complaint against it, a spokesman for the Prague State Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday. However, it may still be reversed by the country’s Supreme State Attorney, Pavel Zeman, who has three months to make a decision. The anti-government protest movement A Million Moments for Democracy on Wednesday urged the Prague State Attorney’s Office to make public the full text of the decision. According to its leader Mikuláš Minář, the movement still insists on Mr Babiš’s resignation. Another public protest against the government is due to take place at Prague’s Letná plain on November 16.
Foreign Minister: Konev statue removal won’t hurt Czech-Russian relations
The Czech Republic will not breach the agreement on friendly relations with Moscow by moving the controversial statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev from its current site in Prague 6, as long as it finds a suitable new location for it, Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček said on Wednesday.
Mr Petříček also said he didn’t know about any retaliatory measures Russia had warned to take over the decision of Prague 6 authorities to move the statue and replace it with a new monument to the liberators of Prague in 1945.
C-5 Super Galaxy to dominate upcoming NATO Days in Ostrava
The American C-5 Super Galaxy transport aircraft landed at Mošnov Airfield near Ostrava on Wednesday morning. The giant airplane will be one of the highlights at the upcoming NATO Days and Czech Airforce Days military show, which is to take place at the site on Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s edition of the event, which is one of the largest military air shows in Europe, will commemorate 70 years since the foundation of the North Atlantic Alliance and 20 years since the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO. Last year it was attended by around 220,000 people.
Slavia draw 1:1 with Inter Milan in Champions League
Slavia Prague drew 1:1 away with Inter Milan in their first group stage game of football’s Champions League on Tuesday night. The Czech side opened the scoring through Peter Olayinka on the 63rd minute. They were on the verge of a major upset before Inter’s Nicolo Barella equalised in time added on.
Slavia’s next game in the top European club competition is at home to Borussia Dortmund in a fortnight’s time. After that they visit the remaining team in the group, Barcelona.
Weather
Thursday will be partly cloudy with daytime highs ranging between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius.
