Daily news summary
Czech Holocaust survivor George Brady dies at age 90
Czech-born Holocaust survivor George Brady has died in Toronto at the age of 90, the Czech News Agency reported on Saturday, citing his nephew and former culture minister Daniel Herman.
The Auschwitz survivor has lived in Canada since 1951. In 2016, he became a central figure in the Czechoslovak Independence Day celebrations getting recognition from institutions around the country after he had been reportedly crossed off the list of nominees for a state award from President Zeman.
Mr Brady received numerous distinctions and awards including the Karel Kramář Medal from Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka for his efforts in support of democracy and human rights, which included educating students about the Holocaust and supporting Czech expats abroad.
Czech president to visit Slovakia for fist foreign trip of 2019
President Zeman’s first foreign trip in 2019 will take him to neighboring Slovakia, the president’s office told the Czech News Agency on Saturday. The Czech head of state will attend the summit of the Bucharest Nine, the countries making up the eastern flank on NATO.
In the first half of this year, the Czech president is is to travel to Austria, Hungary and China. By the end of the year, he might also visit Serbia or the North African region.
President’s team meets with health minister at Lány Chateau
President Miloš Zeman and his team of experts met with Health Minister Adam Vojtěch on Saturday at the Lány Chateau to discuss the current situation in Czech health care system.
Mr Vojtěch said after the meeting that one of the burning issues of Czech health sector was a long-term shortage of nurses. Among other things, the ministry is planning to increase the nurses’ bonuses for working shifts by around 5,000 crowns this year.
Among other issues on the agenda was the present situation of general practitioners in the country, computerization of Czech health care system and availability of medicines.
NBA: Satoranský achieves his first triple-double
In basketball, Tomáš Satoranský has become the first Czech ever to achieve a triple-double. The Czech point guard recorded his first triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, helping Washington beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-106 on Friday. Satoranský, who is 27 years old, is the only Czech player currently on an NBA contract.
Tennis: Kvitová claims Sydney title
In tennis, Petra Kvitová has won her second Sydney International title on Saturday. The Czech world No. 8 recovered from a poor start to beat home favorite Ashleigh Barty 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 in the final match on Saturday.
The Czech Republic’s Kateřina Siniaková has picked up the women’s doubles title in Sydney with Aleksandra Krunić of Serbia, overcoming Eri Hozumi and Alicja Rosolska 6-1 7-6 in the final match.
The 22-year-old Siniaková became the sole holder of the WTA no. 1 doubles ranking following the end of the tournament, after previously sharing the top ranking with Barbora Krejčíková.
Sáblíková wins silver at World All-round Speed Skating Championships
Czech speed skater Martina Sablíková has won the silver medal at the World All-round Speed Skating Championships in Italy’s Collalbo on Saturday. The long-distance specialist won the women’s final 5,000-meter race on Saturday and finished second in the overall competition.
Antoinette de Jong of the Netherlands took home the winning title, while Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida finished third. It is the eleventh medal in the ladies’ tournament for the 31-year-old Czech, who has won the championship five times over the course of her career.
Weather
Sunday should bring partly cloudy to overcast skies around the country with rain or snow showers in places and day-time highs between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius.
