Daily news summary

Czech ambassador to Egypt: Cairo delaying results of investigation into knife attack

The Czech ambassador to Egypt Veronika Kuchynová -Šmigolová has said Egypt is delaying the results of an investigation into a knife attack in which one Czech and two German tourists were killed at a beach in Hurghada in July of this year for fear of putting off tourists.

The ambassador said that while the Egyptian side was extremely helpful and cooperative the likely conclusion that it had been a terrorist attack was not in their best interests. An official conclusion into the affair may take time, the ambassador said.

Negotiations are also underway regarding compensation for the families of the victims.

Czech Republic under EC scrutiny over discrimination of Roma children

The European Commission is to come to a decision in the autumn as to whether to take the infringement proceedings launched against the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary over discrimination of Romany children in schools further, Czech Euro Commissioner Vera Jourova told the ctk news agency.

In her annual human right report released this week Czech Ombudswoman Anna Šabatová said that although Romany children were no longer segregated in special schools for children with learning disabilities, the practice of segregation continued in regular schools by putting Roma children in separate classrooms.

Smoking ban transition period concludes

A three-month transition period following the introduction of a smoking ban in Czech restaurants and pubs has come to an end. From Wednesday operators may be fined up to CZK 50,000 if inspectors find lit cigarettes on their premises. The ban came into effect on May 31.

The Czech Ministry of Health is preparing to launch an information campaign in the coming months to clarify the legislation. A particular issue is the interpretation of the ban with regard to hostelries’ outdoor covered areas and beer gardens.

Road Directorate to start dismantling billboards along highways

The Road and Rail Directorate will start dismantling billboards located in the close vicinity of highways and 1st class roads in compliance with the law, Transport Minister Dan Tok said on Wednesday.

The law, which will come into effect on September 1st, bans advertisement billboards within 250 metres from the roads in view of boosting safety.

The legislation has met with strong opposition from outdoor advertising operators some of whom have started replacing advertisements with gigantic Czech flags and other non-commercial posters and leaving the billboards in place.

D8 motorway to be fully operational by end-September

The D8 motorway connecting Prague and Dresden should be fully operational, without restrictions, by the end of September, Transport Minister Dan Tok told the ctk news agency on Wednesday.

The construction of the motorway leading through a protected nature reserve in the Czech Middle Mountains, was dogged by problems, among them a landslide close to a stone quarry in 2013 which buried part of the road.

Although the final stretch of the motorway was completed at the end of last year a 16-kilomenter stretch was restricted to one lane due to unstable land.

Debut screening for animated Spejbl and Hurvínek film

The first animated film featuring the Czech puppet characters Spejbl and Hurvínek has been received its debut public screening. The film, entitled Hurvínek and the Magic Museum, was made in a co-production with partners from Belgium and Russia.

The film, which also comes in a 3D version, is due to enter general cinema release in the Czech Republic on Thursday. The Czech News Agency reported that it had a budget of CZK 170 million.

French organist Marle Ouvrard to perform in Olomouc

The famous organist at the church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard will be the main star of the 49th International Organ Festival in Olomouc, its organizers told the ctk news agency.

Marle-Ouvrard is one of the leading French organists of the young generation and a fabulous improviser. He will perform one of the five concerts at St. Moritz Church in Olomouc, together with organist Tuomas Pyrhon and Belgian organist Edward de Geest and others.

The festival takes place from September 4th to September 18th.

Weather forecast

Meteorologists have issued a severe storm warning for Wednesday afternoon and evening. Thursday should bring clear to partly cloudy skies with day temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius.