Daily news summary

Diplomats, scientists, other notable figures, sign open letter appealing to Great Britain to remain in European Union

Several dozen Czech diplomats, scientists and other notable figures have signed an open letter addressed to renowned British playwright with Czech roots Tom Stoppard appealing to Great Britain to remain within the European Union. In the letter, Czech signatories point to historic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. The letter was initiated by the former Czech ambassador to Great Britain, Michael Žantovský. Brits are to vote on the so-called Brexit on June 23.

President’s spokesman says he did not overstep his bounds in welcoming Alternative for Germany politician at Prague Castle

Jiří Ovčáček, the spokesman for President Miloš Zeman, has said he did not overstep his bounds by welcoming the Czech-born Petr Bystroň, the head of the Bavarian branch of the anti-migrant party Alternative for Germany, at Prague Castle on Monday. The spokesman explained that President Zeman could not meet with Mr Bystroň for time reasons. Opposition politicians criticised the move as highly unorthodox; TOP 09 leader Miroslav Kalousek, for example, suggested that by meeting with a spokesman the politician was willingly making a fool of himself. Mr Ovčáček told journlaists that Mr Bystroň had expressed support for the Czech president’s opposition to the EU’s migrant quotas.

Volkswagen to launch car servicing in Czech Republic this week

The Volkswagen group is to launch the servicing of cars affected by the emission cheating scandal in the Czech Republic this week. In the first phase this will concern some 60 thousand Seat, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles with diesel engines, Skoda cars, of which there are over 100,000 affected, will come later. The servicing should last for up to an hour and will be free of charge. Although it is not mandatory, Czech Transport Minister Dan Ťok said the VW group should try to get at least 80 percent of owners of the affected cars to visit car service stations and have their cars repaired. In the Czech Republic, the affairs concerns some 160,000 cars produced between 2009 and early 2015.

Praguers can provide input for sustainable mobility plan

As of Monday, Prague residents will be able to express their view online regarding a plan by the city aimed at improving infrastructure in the Czech capital under the banner of sustainable mobility (www.poladprahu.cz). Deputy Mayor Petr Dolínek, overseeing the transport portfolio, suggested that broadening roads for increased traffic was not an answer long-term. The plan is to take into consideration all traffic including public transit and cycling and pedestrian routes. The city has already begun working on the plan for sustainable mobility in which public input is sought. The plan is to be completed by 2018.

Prague state attorney will no longer deal with criminal cases after police swoop

Prague state attorney Dagmar Machová will as of now not lead criminal cases following searches last week of her office and others. The police swoops were related to the alleged leak of information about high profile cases: three people, including a former police detective from the anti-corruption unit, were charged with abuse of office and taking bribes. In the past, state attorney Machová was involved in cases such as the Opencard, in which two former Prague mayors are charged. The decision to sideline her from major cases was taken by the Municipal State Attorneys’ Office, spokeswoman Štěpánka Zenklová confirmed.

Prison service health commission recommends Janoušek sentence be interrupted for year to allow patient access to medical care

The Czech Prison Service’s Health Commission has recommended that time being served by businessman Roman Janoušek for his role in a hit-and-run case be interrupted for one year, following health complications. Mr Janoušek underwent surgery recently and was originally to have already returned behind bars. Doctors on the commission, studying his case, confirmed that neurological care the patient requires would not be available in prison. Mr Janoušek’s lawyer declined to comment; the convict has three-and-a-half years remaining on his original 4.5 year sentence.

Police shelve ski ramp collapse case

Police have shelved their investigation into the collapse of a ski ramp for a quad chairlift at Špindlerův Mlýn in the Krkonoše Mountains last year. No one was hurt in the accident last March. Most important in the investigation were assessments of expert witnesses who gauged the site’s stability and other factors. It appeared that renovation over the years had compromised the stability of the ramp but some of the necessary documentation, on who oversaw changes and when, could not be located.

Tennis: Berdych fires trainer Vallverdu

Tomáš Berdych has sacked trainer Daniel Vallverdu after almost a year-and-a-half, a week before the start of the French Open. Berdych’s form has slumped in recent weeks, most recently losing 6:0, 6:0 last week on the ATP tour in Rome. The loss came against Belgian David Goffin.

Football: Petr Čech’s 16th clean sheet means he will, at worst, tie for Premier League Golden Glove

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech’s 16th clean sheet at the weekend means he will at worst tie for this year’s Barclay’s Golden Glove awarded the keeper with the most shutouts. Three other keepers were in the running: Kasper Schmeichel, Joe Hart, David De Gea. Both Schmeichel and Hart conceded goals in their final season matches; the final game between Manchester United and Bournemouth was postponed due to a bomb scare, so De Gea could still tie for the award. Čech secured the Golden Glove on three previous occassions with former club Chelsea.

Czechs suffer surprise defeat to Denmark at ice hockey Worlds

The Czech Republic suffered a surprise defeat to Denmark at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Russia on Sunday. Previously undefeated in five matches in the competition, the Czechs took the lead in the second period through Tomáš Plekanec but ended up losing 2:1 after a shootout. The Czech Republic will face Switzerland in their final Group A game on Tuesday afternoon.