Daily news summary

Labour minister Petr Krčál quits following plagiarism charge

The Czech minister of labour and social affairs, Petr Krčál, has announced his resignation, only weeks after being appointed. The news came a day after reports that the Social Democrat politician had plagiarised a major part of his university thesis.

The leader of the Social Democrats, Jan Hamáček, said Mr. Krčál would be replaced by Jana Maláčová, a senior official at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Earlier this month ANO appointee Taťána Malá stood down as minister of justice after also facing accusations of plagiarism during her student career.

Several trapped when building collapses in Prague centre

A number of people were trapped when part of a building collapsed in central Prague on Tuesday morning. Three people were freed from the building on Mikulandská St., which is just off Národní, and were given medical care. One was placed in an artificial coma. Two workers were said to have medium severity injuries.

It was reported on Tuesday afternoon that more people may still be under the rubble in the building, which has been undergoing renovation work.

News site: Babiš must prove no active involvment in trust fund

Under new European rules the billionaire Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš of ANO, will have to prove that he does not control the trust fund in which he last year placed the company Agrofert, the news website Neovlivni.cz reported.

Earlier this month the European Parliament rubberstamped new conflict of interest regulations that bars senior politicians from receiving subsidies.

If Mr. Babiš failed to show distance between him and the trust fund either he would have to stand down or Agrofert would miss out on grants, Neovlivni.cz said.

A spokesman said the new rules should not affect Agrofert as the prime minister is neither the owner of the trust fund nor the person who controls it.

Businessman Stuchlík to head ANO ticket in Prague elections

Government leaders ANO have a new head of the party’s ticket for local elections this autumn. Businessman Petr Stuchlík will lead ANO’s campaign in the city. He replaces the original nominee Patrik Nacher, who will now be second on the party’s candidate list.

The current ANO mayor of Prague, Adriana Krnáčová, is not standing again. Mr. Stuchlík’s candidature must now be approved by the party’s executive committee.

Chinese company Huajie to open European centre for e-shops near Prague

Chinese company Huajie plans to establish a logistics base for online stores in the village of Pavlov, some 20 kilometres west of Prague. The company has leased 25,000 square metres of warehouse space built by the developer Panattoni, news site E15 reported.

Sparta complete signing of Ghanaian striker Tetteh

Sparta Prague football club have completed the signing of the Ghanaian player Benjamin Tetteh from Bohemians 1905. The striker, who is 20, has been training with Sparta since the middle of last month. He has signed a four-year deal with the country’s richest club.

Tetteh began his career in Europe with Belgium’s Standard Liege and also had a loan spell at the Czech club Slovácko.

Weather forecast

It should be bright with some rain in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, with temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs should climb to up 27 degrees Celsius at the weekend.