Daily news summary
No Czechs injured in suicide bombing at Bagram air base
Czech soldiers serving at the Bagram air base in Afghanistan were unhurt in a massive blast on Saturday morning, an apparent suicide bombing mission by the Taliban which claimed the lives of four American personnel and injured 14 others. The news was confirmed by Jan Šulc, spokesman of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. More than 160 Czech personnel operate at the base.
News site: Czech tourists, part of group attacked in Ethiopia, home safe
A group of six tourists from Slovakia and four from the Czech Republic was attacked while traveling in southern Ethiopia on November 7, news site iDnes reported with confirmation from Czech Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Irena Valentová. A group of six attackers threw rocks at their vehicle, then shot and killed the group's Ethiopian driver and guide. The attackers then robbed the tourists at gunpoint. None of the Czechs were hurt but one of the Slovaks suffered injury. All of the Czechs have since safely returned home, Ms Valentová confirmed.
Fourth National Food Drive took place on Saturday
Czech consumers had the opportunity on Saturday to donate in the fourth annual National Food Drive. Some 659 supermarkets and stores across the country took part; under the programme, shoppers leave donated foodstuffs on the spot and items are redistributed by food banks. Last year, Czechs donated 236 tons - this year organizers are hoping to hit a target 300 tons.
Football: Czechs clinch first win in World Cup qualifying
The Czech national football squad, which had been struggling in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup got their first win on Friday evening. The team defeated Norway by a score of 2-1, getting goals from newcomers Michal Krmeníček, in his international debut, and Jaromír Zmrhal, for the first time in the starting roster. Norway got one back but overall the Czechs had more opportunities, coming close to adding a third goal.
ANO leader comes to defense of transport minister
Deputy Prime Minster and ANO leader Andrej Babiš has resisted pressure from the prime minister saying he saw no reason why fellow ANO party member, Transport Minister Dan Ťok, should be removed from his post. According to Mr Babiš, the transport minister, who is to meet with Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Monday to review his term in office, had successfully launched the renovation of the country's major highways as well as secondary roads and also solved issues in the transport truck toll system. The prime minister told the daily Právo on Saturday that he would have removed Mr Ťok (as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle) if it were within his competency and not the ANO leader's - per the coalition agreement.
Russian suspect Nikulin to remain in custody
Alleged Russian hacker Yevgeny Nikulin, who was arrested in October by Czech investigators working with the FBI, will remain in custody, the high court ruled las week. The news was reported online by Czech Radio. The US is seeking the extradition of Mr Nikulin, who is suspected of having hacked Linkedin and the firms Dropbox and Formspring.
Weather forecast
Sunday should be cloudy with sunny periods. A daytime high of around 1 degree Celsius is expected.
Fed Cup: Plíšková outlasts Mladenovic in nail-biting opener
Czech tennis player Karolína Plíšková fought hard in one of the longest-ever matches in the final of the Fed Cup, edging Kristina Mladenovic by a score of 6:3, 4:6; 16:14 to give the Czech Republic a 1:0 lead on the first day of the final against France. The Czech Republic are the defending champions and looking to win the championship for the third time in a row and for the fifth time in six years.
