Daily news summary
Three foreigners charged over Brno attack
Three foreigners have been charged after a knife attack on two men in Brno in the early hours of Saturday, police in the city said on Wednesday. One of the three foreigners could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of charges including grievous bodily harm. The other two have been charged with disorderly conduct, for which the maximum sentence is two years.
The three men are reported to be from North Africa and long-term residents of the Czech Republic. The victims, aged 31 and 32, were taken to hospital after the attack, which left them with bad cuts.
Scientists highlight disadvantageous position of young women
Around 300 specialists at 29 institutes that come under the Czech Academy of Sciences have written a letter to the organisation’s management drawing attention to what they say is the disadvantageous position of young women in research.
The authors say that scientists are expected to go abroad to gain experience after completing a doctorate at around 30, the same age when many women are starting families.
If women fail undergo an internship abroad their chances of obtaining grants or getting full-time positions in scientific institutions fall considerably, the writers of the letter say.
New ferry replacing collapsed footbridge out of service
A ferry that went into operation last weekend at the place where a footbridge collapsed in Prague in early December has broken down, the Czech News Agency reported on Wednesday. The boat, which is free of charge, goes from Císařský ostrov to Troja, the location of Prague’s zoo.
Operators said the ferry had been put out of action by a technical fault but could not say when it would be running again.
Four people were injured, two seriously, when the footbridge collapsed in early December. The causes of the collapse are still being investigated.
German firms behind half of film productions in Czech Republic this year
Around half of the 40-plus foreign film productions in the Czech Republic this year have come from neighbouring Germany, Czech Television reported on Wednesday. German filmmakers have spent around CZK 850 million in this country in 2017.
German companies are chiefly attracted by buildings and locations that can be used as settings for projects relating to various historical periods, while tax incentives for film and TV productions are also a strong draw.
Stramaccioni concedes mistakes in first season as Sparta manager
Sparta Prague’s Italian coach Andrea Stramaccioni says he made a number of mistakes in the early part of his first season in Czech football. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the former boss of Inter Milan said it had been a challenge coming to the Czech league as the only foreign manager.
Stramaccioni said, however, that he was glad to have received a recent vote of confidence from Sparta’s owner Daniel Křetínský. He said he had acquired valuable experience and could still turn the club’s season around.
Sparta have the most league titles in Czech soccer history but currently lie in fifth in the table.
Black ice warning for Bohemia on Wednesday night
Forecasters have issued a warning that the western half of Bohemia will be hit by black ice on Wednesday night. The ice is expected to form in areas including Prague and the Karlovy Vary, Plzeň and Ústí nad Labem regions before midnight and persist until Thursday morning.
Strong winds are forecast for several parts of Moravia, in particular the Jeseníky and Beskydy mountain ranges.
Weather forecast
It should be overcast with snow in places in the Czech Republic on Thursday. Temperatures of up to 3 degrees Celsius are expected. Subsequent days should get warmer, with daytime highs of 8 degrees Celsius due on New Year’s Eve.
