Daily news summary
Milan Štěch re-elected chairman of Senate
Milan Štěch was re-elected chairman of the Senate at the upper chamber’s first session since elections to a third of the house last month. The former trade union leader, who has been a member of the Senate since it was established in 1996, was elected despite protests from the Christian Democrats and Mayors and Independents, who refused to vote for him due to his signing of the declaration on Czech-Chinese relations issued by the country’s key officials during a visit to Prague by the Dalai Lama.
Government approves legislation broadening powers of military police
The government on Wednesday approved a proposed legislation that broadens the powers of the country’s military police, the spokesman for the government, Martin Ayrer, informed on his Twitter account. Under the proposal, the military police would have the right to use undercover agents, carry out surveillance or use informers. The amendment would also enable military police officers to acquire and process personal data. The bill will now be sent to the lower house for debate.
Prague’s Na Příkopech Street 23rd most expensive retail location
Prague’s Na Příkopech Street is the 23rd most expensive retail location in the world, according to an annual report by real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield called Main Streets across the World. The Prague shopping street has moved up two positions from last year’s 25th spot with rents now amounting to 2,400 euro (some 65,000 crowns) per square metre a year.
Robert Bosch to receive government incentives of up to 44 million crowns
German automotive supplier Robert Bosch in will receive government incentives totalling up to 44 million crowns to expand production and establish a technological centre at České Budějovice. The government approved the plan on Wednesday, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka wrote on his Twitter account. According to him, the investment could create up to 620 new jobs. The company plans to invest 2.2 billion crowns to expanding production and expanding its development centre. Robert Bosch is the biggest mechanical engineering company in South Bohemia. Last year it increased its turnover by 23 percent to 18.3 billion crowns.
Karolína Plíšková splits with her coach
Czech number one women’s tennis player, Karolína Plíšková, has announced that she has split with her coach, Jiří Vaněk, who has trained her since 2014. Under his leadership Plíšková won five tournaments, advanced to the US Open finals and reached the fifth spot in the WTA rankings. Plíšková said she would start looking for a replacement coach after the holidays.
Czechs draw 1:1 with Denmark in home friendly
The Czech Republic’s footballers drew 1:1 with Denmark in a friendly in Mladá Boleslav on Tuesday night. The hosts’ goal was scored by Antonín Barák of Slavia Prague, who was making his international debut, while another newcomer, Jaromír Zmrhal, hit the post. It was the last game of the year for the Czechs, who are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group after a win against Norway on Friday.
Weather
Thursday is expected to bring overcast skies with rain showers across most of the Czech Republic. Daytime highs can reach up to 12 degrees Celsius.
