Daily news summary
Ludvík: Higher pay for nurses may not have desired effect
The Social Democrat minister of health, Miloslav Ludvík, says he does not know if increasing the pay of nurses will bring about the desired effect of boosting recruitment. Speaking on Czech Television on Sunday, Mr. Ludvík said that there had been a personnel crisis in the country’s healthcare system for some years. He said it was hardest to find nurses for shift work and that the most severe shortages were felt in May, June and the summer months. Legislators recently shortened the number of years of study required to become a nurse from seven to five years in another bid to increase numbers.
Christian Democrats’ membership of pre-1989 National Front focus of TV debate with Communist chief
The Communist Party is guilty of relativing the crimes of the former regime, the Christian Democrat minister of culture, Daniel Herman, said in a Prima TV show debate with Communist leader Vojtěch Filip on Sunday. Mr. Herman said that the Communists had committed major crimes but unlike the Nazis had not faced prosecution. For his part, Mr. Filip said that the Christian Democrats had themselves been part of the National Front, a toothless alliance of parties that accepted the leading role of the Communists prior to 1989. Mr. Herman conceded this but said the Christian Democrats had come to terms with that aspect of their history and were today based on tolerance.
Renovated facade of National Museum to be unveiled in summer
The newly renovated facade of the main National Museum building at the top of Wenceslas Square will be unveiled this summer, the institution’s director, Michal Lukeš, has told the Czech News Agency. Some guests will be admitted to the still empty building later this year before the National Museum resumes full service in 2018. The museum is currently getting a major facelift that includes the construction of a tunnel to its nearby former Federal Assembly building and the placing of a roof over its main courtyard.
Thousands take advantage of 14th Prague Museum Night
Thousands of people visited museums, galleries and other arts institutions in the Czech capital on Saturday during the annual Prague Museum Night. Almost 80 places kept their doors open late in what was the 14th edition of the event. Czech Radio was also involved but welcomed members of the public from the morning as part of its annual open day. Among the other institutions taking place were the National Technical Museum, the City of Prague Museum and the crypt of the church on Resslova St. where the heroes of Operation Anthropoid met their deaths.
Study: Czech parents becoming more involved in running of schools
Czech parents have become far more involved in the running of their children’s schools in the last two years, according to a newly produced study by the national school inspections body quoted by Czech Television on Sunday. The report says that parents typically demand more improved services, a wider variety of hobby groups and a wider variety of food in school canteens. One in 10 schools reported that parents have called for action to be taken against bullying and in some cases for the expulsion of pupils who repeatedly disrupt lessons.
Šafářová wins French Open women’s doubles with Mattek-Sands
The Czech Republic’s Lucie Šafářová has picked up the women’s doubles title at the French Open with Bethany Mattek-Sands of the US. The top-seeded pair overcame Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua 6-2 6-1 in Sunday’s final in Paris. Šafářová and Mattek Sands had previously won at Roland Garros in 2015 and last year triumphed in the US Open.
Czechs’ chances of World Cup qualification fade with draw in Norway
The Czech Republic’s footballers have seen their chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia fade after a 1:1 draw against Norway in Oslo on Saturday night. The result means that with four games remaining the Czechs are four points behind Northern Ireland, the second placed team in their qualifying group, and must win all their remaining games, including against group leaders and World Cup holders Germany, if they are to reach the playoff stage. Karel Jarolím’s men opened the scoring on Saturday through Theodor Gebre Selassi but lost their lead following a penalty awarded for a foul by Tomáš Sivok.
Weather forecast
There should be sunny spells with the chance of storms in the Czech Republic on Monday. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 29 degrees Celsius. Forecasters say daytime highs should hover around the mid 20s Celsius for most of the week.
