Daily news summary
Czech Republic to send 100 million crowns in support of countries bearing brunt of migration crisis
The Czech Republic will send 100 million crowns in support of countries bearing brunt of the ongoing migrant crisis; the government agreed to the measure at the cabinet meeting on Monday; the first 20 million is to go towards material aid for Greece and Macedonia. The Interior Ministry programme is one way the Czech Republic is trying to help and express solidarity in the ongoing crisis.
Security during Chinese president’s visit to be provided by hundreds of police officers
Several hundred police officers to provide security for Chinese president Xi Jinping during his official visit to Prague next week; special measures to be taken are to include some changes on public transport routes and traffic restrictions; some public spaces will be closed off during the visit. The news was confirmed on Monday by the spokesman for the municipal police. President Xi Jinping will visit the Czech Republic from March 28 to the 30; his visit will coincide with the signing of numerous memoranda on cooperation in the areas of investment, finance, health care and aviation.
Police complete investigation of quadruple murder, recommend American suspect face trial
The police have completed the investigation of a quadruple murder case and have recommended that the suspect, American national Kevin Dahlgren, face trial. The case file was passed on to the state prosecutor’s office in Brno; if found guilty of killing four of his relatives in 2013, Mr Dahlgren faces a potential sentence of life in prison. No possible motives for the murders have been revealed as yet.
Corruption watchdogs call on finance minister to explain activities
Czech anti-corruption NGOs have called on Finance Minister Andrej Babiš, who owns the Agrofert Holding agrochemical group, to explain activities apart from the currently debated Stork’s Nest farm and conference centre. The NGOs addressed the minister in an open letter, which they also provided to the Czech News Agency. ČTK reported that NGOs showed an interest in a number of cases including the privatisation of the Unipetrol refinery firm, alleged discrepancies in the financing of the ANO movement’s election campaign and the circumstances surrounding subsidies going to Duslo Sala, a Slovak chemical company that is part of Agrofert.
Czech Republic’s population grew by 15,600 Statistics Office reports
The population of the Czech Republic grew by 15,600 last year to a total of 10,553,843 according to new information released by the Czech Statistics Office. The rise is due to new immigrants (even though the number overall was lower than the year before). In 2015, 34,900 immigrants – mostly from Slovakia and Ukraine – moved to the Czech Republic while 18,900 people moved abroad. In 2015, deaths in the Czech Republic outnumbered births. Over the course of the year 111,200 people died which is 5,500 more people than in 2014.
Czech barge moved from under Dresden bridge
A Czech barge stuck for a week blocking the river Elbe at Dresden has been successfully moved after intensive efforts. The barge was finally dragged free with the help of two tanks on the shore and a tugboat. It has now been taken upriver to Děčín and a dry dock to check for any damage. The barge, the Albis, closed down all traffic on that stretch of the river. It’s cargo of around 800 tonnes of salt had to be removed before the final rescue mission could take place.
Two people killed in car and train collision, train driver was under the influence of alcohol, police confirm
Two people were killed a collision between their car and a transport train at a crossing near the main square in Golčův jeníkov, East Bohemia, on Monday morning. The accident took place shortly after 7 AM. The police confirmed that the driver of the train was under the influence of alcohol; according to reports, the train was travelling at four times the speed allowed.
Ten people die on Czech roads over three days
Ten people lost their lives in traffic accidents in the Czech Republic over the last three days. Friday alone saw six people die on Czech roads. Three of the fatalities over the weekend were pedestrians. In one of the accidents, in Náchod, a 59-year-old man was struck and killed. The motorist in the accident drove away and only returned to the scene of the hit-and-run an hour later, according to sources. He reportedly tested negative for alcohol and illicit substances.
Sparta Prague trio in call up for Scotland, Sweden friendlies
In football, Czech manager Pavel Vrba has called up three extra Sparta Prague players for upcoming friendlies against Scotland and Sweden. The call ups have come for Martin Frýdek, Lukáš Maraček, and Jakub Brabec. Mareček and Brabec have been selected for the full team for the first time. All three have impressed for Sparta in the Czech league and in the team’s triumphant Europa League run to the last eight of the competition. The Czech Republic plays Scotland on Thursday and five days later travel to Stockholm for the game against Sweden.
Football: Sparta Prague defeat Slavia in 285th derby
Football club Sparta Prague defeated crosstown rivals Slavia in their 285th derby on Sunday, coming back from a goal down to win 3:1. Škoda put the guests at Letná in front early in the first half. But Sparta came back in the final 45 minutes, getting goals from Lafata, Costa and Zahustel. Sparta remain six points behind league-leaders Plzeň but have a game in hand.
