Daily news summary
Funeral for former prime minister scheduled for Wednesday
The funeral for former prime minister Stanislav Gross, who died this week at the age of 45, will be held on Wednesday, April 22, his widow and family have confirmed. A private ceremony will take place at the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul at Vyšehrad for family and friends, but members of the public will be able to pay their last respects between 8:30 and 10 AM. Mr Gross served as interior minister before taking up the post of PM, which he held for less than a year. At 34, he was the Czech Republic's youngest-ever premier but was forced to step down after failing to explain how he had financed a 4.2 million crown apartment. He later worked as a lawyer; it was reported that Mr Gross had been suffering from ALS.
Municipalities, in areas being considered as possible sites for nuclear waste repository, hold protest events
Municipalities in seven areas of the Czech Republic, being considered by the government as possible locations for a nuclear waste repository operational as of 2065, are holding protest events on Saturday saying "No" to government plans. Demonstrations and concerts are underway in places to express opposition to the siting of the waste site; in the past referenda were also held. Plans for a deep geological repository for the country's radioactive waste have existed since 1990. The facility, if a suitable site is found, would take 15 years to build.
Teplice fails to move forward with gambling bylaw
City councillors in the spa town of Teplice have failed for a third time to pass a bylaw on the regulation of gambling terminals. The town, according to the Czech News Agency, has some 1,500 such machines, twice that of Ústí nad Labem or Most. Members of Town Hall have been tasked with coming up with a proposal which would satisfy a majority of 27 representatives. The bylaw should be passed by the end of the year.
Renovation of Šlechta's restaurant in Stromovka Park to begin next year
The renovation of a famous historic building in Prague's Stromovka Park - Šlechta's Restaurant, a summer chateau dating back to the late 17th century - will begin in a year's time and will cost roughly 150 million crowns, city councillor Jan Wolf has told the Czech News Agency. The site, after decades of decay, should reopen in a special ceremony in 2017. The original project was to have cost up to quarter of a billion crowns but costs were reduced by removing some planned items, including extra elevators, stairways and washrooms.
Cyclist struck and killed by car
A 51-year-old cyclist was struck by a motorist on Friday evening in the Zlín area and succumbed on the spot to his injuries. The cyclist was hit head-on by the car driven by a 24-year-old who was passing another vehicle. The victim did not have any lights on his bike as required. The motorist, who tested negative for alcohol, is being investigated for possible negligence; if found guilty he could spend up to six years in jail.
Hockey: Montreal forward Plekanec gets assist in team's second win against Ottawa
Forward Tomáš Plekanec contributed in the Montreal Canadiens' win against the Ottawa Senators on Friday, assisting on the game-winning goal in their second match-up of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The teams went into overtime tied at two apiece; Alex Galchenyuk scored at 3:40 in the extra period. The Habs lead the best-of-seven series 2:0. The next game takes place in Ottawa.
In other action, Radim Vrbata scored once for the Vancouver Canucks against the Calgary Flames. Vancouver won the game 4:1, squaring their first-round series at one apiece.
Women’s tennis team takes 2:0 lead against France in Fed Cup semi-final
The women’s tennis team has gotten off to a good start in the Fed Cup semi-final against France winning both matches on the opening day. Lucie Šafařová survived five match points against Caroline Garcia to take the match to three sets: the final score was 4:6, 7:6, 6:1. Petra Kvitová won the second match, defeating Kristina Mladenovic 6:3, 6:4.
