Daily news summary
Czech tourist bus crashes in Italy
A bus carrying 40 Czech tourists crashed in northern Italy on Friday evening. The accident happened near the town of Bolzano where the bus unexpectedly swerved off the road and crashed in a field. The driver was killed on impact, 20 tourists were taken for treatment to nearby hospitals, some of them with serious injuries. The cause of the accident is being investigated. Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle’s brakes may have failed.
Youths suspected of arson in church fire remanded in custody
Two of the three young men whom the police charged with arson in connection with the fire that ravaged a historic wooden church in Guty, Silesia have been remanded in custody. A police investigator said the youths had set fire to the church intentionally and been planning other acts of violence. One of the three is a minor. If convicted they could face up to 15 years in prison. The church, dating back to 1563 was one of the best preserved wooden churches in the country. It was completely destroyed by the fire and the damage is estimated to be tens of millions of crowns. A public collection is underway to help finance the construction of a new church.
Foreign Ministry issues travel warning for Kenya
The Czech Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning for several provinces in Kenya in connection with growing violence ahead of next week’s general elections. Czech nationals are advised not to travel to the country and those already there should avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. People travelling to the country have also been advised to register with the ministry’s travel data base Drozd which will facilitate assistance in the event of problems.
Mass celebrated in memory of Cardinal František Tomášek
Cardinal Dominik Duka celebrated a mass at St. Vitus Cathedral on Friday evening in memory of the late Cardinal František Tomášek on the 25th anniversary of his death. Cardinal Tomasek was the 34th Archbishop of Prague. During his life-long service to the Catholic Church he openly opposed the Communist regime and fought for religious freedoms.
Thousands descend on Brno for Czech GP motorcycle race
Thousands of motorcycle fans have descended on the Moravian metropolis of Brno for the Czech Grand Prix weekend. Practice sessions got underway on Friday morning and the 22-lap race is scheduled for Sunday at 1400 CET on a circuit situated in the hilly woods around Brno. Marc Marquez is leading the Championship on 129 points. The organizers are expecting some 200 thousand visitors.
Brighton sign right-back Aleš Matejů from Viktoria Plzen
Brighton have signed Czech U21 right-back Aleš Matejů from Viktoria Plzen for 2.5 million euro. The 21-year-old has penned a three-year deal at the Amex Stadium and becomes Brighton's seventh signing of the summer. Matejů joined Plzen in 2015 and helped them win the Czech First League title during his first season at the club.
Weather forecast
Sunday should bring relief from the intense heatwave that has plagued the country for days, bringing overcast skies and rain and day temperatures between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius. Next week’s temperatures should range between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
