Daily news summary
Commemorative ceremony for victims of communism held in Jihlava
Several dozen people took part in an event commemorating the victims of the communist regime in the hard-line 1950s in the town of Jihlava on Sunday. Eleven people sentenced to death in political trials were executed in the courtyard of the local jailhouse between 1950 and 1952, hundreds of others were jailed and thousands of families suffered at the hands of the regime. The event was organized by Jihlava City Hall, the Czech Union of Freedom Fighters and the Confederation of Political Prisoners.
People dependent on care-givers get higher financial contribution from state
People dependent on care givers have started receiving a higher financial contribution from the state, Czech Radio reported on Sunday. The ten percent increase is paid out automatically by labour offices and people eligible for this type of support do not have to file an official request. People with the highest degree of dependence will thus receive 13,200 crowns a month, that is 1,200 crowns more than before. The state support for this group was increased for the first time in 9 years. An estimated 350,000 people are eligible for it.
Czech travel agencies: security concerns have cut the sale of holidays in Turkey by a half
Although the Czech Foreign Ministry on Friday toned down its travel warning for Turkey, the uncertain situation in the country has led many Czechs to change their travel plans. Czech travel agencies say security concerns have cut the sale of package holidays in Turkey by a half. Only around 80, 000 Czechs will be spending their holidays there this year, compared to 162 thousand in 2015. The price of package tours has dropped significantly as a result.
Prague Metro’s A line marks 38 years in operation
The A line of the Prague Metro has been in operation for 38 years. The metro management marked the occasion by putting in operation one of the historic Russian-made trains which launched the line in 1978 and which have not been in use since 2005. Founded in 1974, the Prague Metro has three lines (A, B and C), serving 61 stations and consists of a transit network 65.2 kilometres.
Bus burns down on D10 motorway
A bus travelling on the D10 motorway between Prague and Liberec caught fire and was completely burnt down despite the speedy arrival of a fire crew in the late night hours of Saturday, the ctk news agency reported. The driver and two dozen passengers all managed to escape to safety. Only one woman was treated for shock. The motorway was closed to traffic for four hours. According to a preliminary report the fire was caused by a technical failure.
Prague to host Barrel Organ Festival
The third international Barrel Organ Festival is due to be held in Prague on Tuesday. The event will bring together barrel organ players from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Switzerland. Performances will take place on the streets and squares of the city centre and will be free of charge. Some of the most popular locations are Charles Bridge, Kampa Island and Old Town Square.
Czech rowers Synek and Knapková advance to quarterfinals in Rio
Czech medal hopefuls rowers Ondřej Synek and Miroslava Topinková Knapková both performed well in the regatta at Rodriga de Freitase on the first sporting day of the Olympics opening their way to the quarterfinals. Battling against strong winds and choppy waters Synek crossed the finishing line first, Knapková came second.
