Daily news summary
Czech foreign ministry calls on Moscow and Minsk to release protesters
The Czech foreign ministry has called on Belarus and Russia to release demonstrators detained in both countries over the weekend. Around 100 demonstrators were detained in Moscow, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny, during a protest against corruption which targeted top members of the government. In Belarus around 400 people were detained following protests in the capital, Minsk, and other main cities against the regime’s social and economic policies.
Czech competition office suspects ČD Cargo of cartel involvement: report
The Czech competition office suspects the cargo arm of the Czech state owned rail company, ČD Cargo, of being part of a cartel which had divided the market and attempted to set charges. The office has already attempted to get proof at the company’s headquarters with the firm unsuccessfully attempting to block searches with a court order, the ČTK news agency reported on Monday. The competition office would not comment officially. Czech Railways said the case dated back to before 2006 and the creation of the stand alone freight firm. Cartel involvement is usually regarded as one of the most serious abuses of competition.
Czech Internet use climbs to over 75 percent of adult population
Czech Internet use climbed last year to 76.6 percent of those over 16 years old, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Regular users total 6.7 million but there are still around 1.6 million, mostly elderly, who say they have never used the Internet. Around 40 percent of young people aged less than 24 said they spend more than 20 hours a week on the Internet. Most Czechs, around two-thirds, connect via notebook with around half using computers and mobile phones. Connection via mobile phones, at 54 percent, is still below the European average of 65 percent.
Czech hit singer Věra Špinarová dies
Czech singer Věra Špinarová has died at the age of 65, it was announced on Monday. Špinarová, who broke into the big time in the late 60’s and 70’s, collapsed after a heart attack at a concert in Čáslav last Wednesday. She was taken to Prague’s Motol hospital where she died on Sunday. She began her singing career at the age of 15 and her first success came with the group Flamingo and was followed up with the group Majestic. Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka said that the Czech music scene has lost one of its jewels.
Three Eritreans found in Czech lorry driver’s cargo
Three Eritreans, believed to be illegal immigrants, were found in a Czech truck by British police at Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The lorry driver called police after hearing suspicious noises in the back of the truck, according to The Mail Online. Police have not given further details. Eritreans form one of the biggest group of asylum seekers in Britain.
Czechs go third in group after 6:0 victory over San Marino
In football, the Czech Republic set a record for goals scored in the first half with five put past minnows San Marino with no reply. The team added another in the second half to win 6:0 in the World Cup group qualifier on Sunday night. The win puts the Czechs third in the group, two points behind Northern Ireland and seven behind group leaders Germany who have a full 15 points from five starts.
Weather
The weather on Tuesday will be sunny across the country with top daytime temperatures between 17 and 21 degrees Celsius.
