Daily news summary
Government approves Education Ministry plan
Teachers’ careers in the future could come under a three-stage assessment plan determining remuneration based on performance, the government agreed on Monday, backing a new proposal put forward by the Education Ministry. Under the plan, the first two years in the job would be an ‘adaptation period’ for teachers, after which they could further specialize in respective fields, thereby affecting wage levels. The third level would require attestation which could come into effect in 2021 while the earlier parts of the bill, if approved, would take effect in 2017. One of the main aims of the plan is to motivate teachers by rewarding strong commitment the prime minister has made clear.
Suspected Czech Islamic State recruit judged sane
Police have received results of psychiatric tests undertaken on the first ever Czech citizen to be charged with attempting to join so-called Islamic State. According to experts, the man doesn’t suffer from any psychiatric problems and can be prosecuted. The man, referred to as “Jan S.”, was arrested at Istanbul Airport on February 5 trying to board a flight to Gaziantep, a town near the Syrian border frequently used by new ISIS recruits. He was subsequently sent back to the Czech Republic, where he has been detained in custody since July. If found guilty, he faces up to 12 years in prison for preparing a terrorist attack.
Former lawyer Altner, who won major court case against Social Democrats, dies at 69
Former lawyer Zdeněk Altner, who won a long-running court case against the Social Democratic Party in March to pay him almost 338 million crowns in unpaid fees and accumulated interest according to a contractual penalty clause, has died at the age of 69; he passed away on Monday morning - his family has declined to comment. The court decision in question was appealed by the Social Democratic Party.
Cobra unit uncovers carousel fraud
The country’s elite tax evasion unit, Cobra, has uncovered large-scale fraud in taxes conducted by some eight suspects and three companies between the years 2011 and 2014. Losses in tax revenue were estimated at around 620 million crowns. The group operated so-called carousel fraud, the theft of Value-Added Tax, mainly in the region of Zlín. The defendants, if found guilty, face up to 10 years behind bars.
Poll: Babiš most popular politician
Finance Minister Andrej Babiš remains the country’s most popular politician, a new poll by the STEM agency suggests. Fifty-eight percent backed the minister; Defence Minister Martin Stropnický finished second in the survey, at 43 percent, one percent more than Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. The head of the mayors' party, STAN, Petr Gazdík, notched up 31 percent. Recent polls have suggested Babiš ANO party would win if parliamentary elections were held today.
Retrospective of Jan Kaplický to be launched on Tuesday
An exhibition of works by late architect Jan Kaplický will be launched at Prague’s Dancing House Gallery on Tuesday. The exhibition, called JKOK, will present Kaplický’s iconic works and designs, such as the 2007 model for the National Library, also known as the Blob, as well as some previously unseen works. The exhibits come from his personal archive. The exhibition will run until March 12, 2017. The Czech –born London-based architect Kaplický died in 2009 at the age of 71. His most significant projects include the Selfridges Building in Birmingham and the media centre of Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
NHL: Plekanec gets first goal of season, Jágr day-to-day after injury
Tomáš Plekanec scored his first goal of the season for the Montreal Canadiens at the weekend to help the Habs edge the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 5-4. Michal Neuvirth was in goal for the losing side.
Florida Panthers winger Jaromír Jágr is considered day-to-day after exiting a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals with a groin injury at the weekend. Panthers coach Gerard Gallant confirmed that the Czech player felt a cramp in his groin during the first period and had not felt well enough to return.
