Daily news summary
Social Democrat PM Sobotka says deal with communists possible after elections: report
Social Democrat prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has said that a coalition with the communists is a possibility following the next lower house elections due in October. In an interview with the business daily, Hospodářské Noviny, he said that he did not expect a purely left-wing coalition to result but a pro-European one with a social perspective could. Sobotka added that ANO leader Andrej Babiš had not ruled out a deal with the communist party either. The Social Democrats have traditionally ruled out a coalition with the communists under their so-called Bohumín declaration. Sobotka said times had changed since that motion was adopted in 1995.
“Golden era” coach and former hockey player Josef Augusta dies at 70
The Czech Ice Hockey Association paid tribute to former hockey forward and national squad coach, Josef Augusta who died on Thursday at the age of 70. The coach, who managed the squad during the so-called Golden era at the World Champions from 1999 to 2001 with the team winning the championship three times in a row, had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. He had been diagnosed in 2015. As a player, Mr Augusta won the silver medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck.
Sparta Prague humiliated in Europa League away leg against Rostov
In football, Sparta Prague suffered a debacle in the away leg of their Europa League tie against Rostov on Thursday night. Sparta lost 4:0 and after the 31st minute were down to 10 men after Ivory Coast midfielder Konate received a red card. It’s the worst European defeat for the Czech club since 1981. Sparta will likely be playing just for pride in the return leg in Prague on February 23.
Air pollution levels improve in some parts of Czech Republic
Air pollution levels somewhat improved in parts of the Czech Republic on Friday after several days of poor conditions. Six regions of 14, however, are still suffering from a higher concentration of dangerous particles exceeding the allowed limit. Production at plants in Olomouc had to be scaled back as a result. Other regions affected are Central Bohemia, Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Zlín and most of Moravia-Silesia. By contrast, restrictions were lifted in the regions of Ostrava and Plzeň. Most of the country was hit by smog beginning last week.
Liberec Zoo loses rare spot-billed pelican to bird flu
Liberec Zoo has lost a rare spot-billed pelican to bird flu. The female is the second specimen to die from the disease at the facility, after a swan succumbed to the illness; a veterinarian at the zoo, Roman Šebesta, said both specimens had died from the same strain, H5N5. Three other specimens of the spot-billed pelican at the zoo will not be killed as the animal is endangered.
Six new cases of Hepatitis A reported
A hepatitis A epidemic is continuing in the region of South Moravia, Renata Ciupek, the head of a local epidemiology station confirmed on Friday. According to the official, six new cases were confirmed. All of the patients had come into contact with others who had caught the illness. The patients are from the Brno and Blansko areas. So far this year, there have been 24 new cases of Hepatitis A registered; last year the overall number was 448.
Weather
Mostly cloudy conditions are expected on Saturday with a possibility of snowfall; daytime temperatures should be around 4 degrees Celsius.
