Daily news summary
Poll: Jiří Drahoš would defeat incumbent Zeman in presidential election second round
The former head of the Czech Academy of Sciences Jiří Drahoš would win if he advanced to the second round of the presidential election next year against incumbent Miloš Zeman, a new poll conducted by the Median agency for the news website Seznam News suggests. According to the survey, Mr Drahoš would clinch 53.5 percent of the vote and Mr Zeman, 46.5. The poll also showed a rise in the number of voters, 55 percent, for whom Mr Zeman is unacceptable as a candidate. The findings also suggest, however, that Mr Zeman would have the edge in the first round among a broader field of candidates and also that no other candidate besides Mr Drahoš would currently beat Mr Zeman head-to-head.
Former Škoda Auto boss Vratislav Kulhánek to run for president
Vratislav Kulhánek, former Škoda Auto boss, has officially announced his decision to run in the 2018 presidential elections. Kulhánek, who is 73, will run as a candidate of the Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA). He now needs to collect the 50,000 signatures to officially register as a candidate. Among the runners for the presidential post are the current head of state Miloš Zeman, lyricist Michal Horáček, and former head of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Jiří Drahoš. Vratislav Kulhánek is currently a member of the executive committee of the International Chamber of Commerce and serves on the scientific committee of the Faculty of Economics in Prague.
Czech Republic ranks 22nd in world quality of life index
The Social Progress Index, a world ranking monitoring social and economic progress and the quality of the environment in 128 countries around the world, has put the Czech Republic in 22nd place. The Czech Republic scored well in providing basic human needs and access to basic knowledge. It has most room to improve in the area of Tolerance and Inclusion, where it ranked alongside countries such as Botswana. The results of the index were announced on Thursday by the non-profit, the Social Progress Imperative and the consultancy Deloitte.
US actress Uma Thurman arrives in Karlovy Vary
Uma Thurman, one of the main stars invited to the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, has arrived in the west Bohemian spa town. The US actress is set to receive the festival’s President’s Award at the festival’s opening night on Friday. She will also personally present special outdoor screenings of Quentin Tarantino’s revenge opus Kill Bill I and Kill Bill II, in which she had the main role.
Premyslid remains to be buried at Prague Castle
Remains of five people from the 10th century, who are believed to be the last members of the Premyslid dynasty, will be buried at Prague Castle on Friday. The remains were discovered under the ruins of the Church of Virgin Mary, the oldest Christian church at Prague Castle. The origin of the five people, three adults and two children, could not be confirmed, but archaeologists believe that they were members of the ruling family. The remains will be interred at the site of the Church of Virgin Mary and at St George’s Basilica.
Bolt wins 100 meters at final Ostrava Golden Spike
Jamaican runner Usain Bolt was not happy with a time of 10.06 seconds in the 100 meters at the Golden Spike in Ostrava on Wednesday evening, edging nearest competitor Yunier Perez of Cuba, who ran a personal best 10.09 seconds; but he had words of praise for the sellout stadium where he has now appeared nine times. The runner told attendees they were "wonderful" and "the reason he kept coming back". At the Ostrava meet, fans held up placards to form a Jamaican flag while many lined up for the runner's autograph. Bolt is the holder of eight Olympic golds and 13 world championship medals; he will retire after August's world championships.
Weather
Friday is expected to be partly cloudy with occasional rain showers and storms and daytime temperatures ranging between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius.
