News

Police increasingly apply ban in domestic violence cases

In 7,460 cases of domestic violence since 2007, police in the Czech Republic banned aggressors from returning home for ten days, with or without agreement from the spouse. The legislation was introduced to protect victims of domestic violence and limit abuse behind closed doors. According to Bílý kruh bezpečí, helping victims of domestic violence, 2013 saw 1,128 bans over the first ten months, compared to a total of 679 in 2008 and a total of 1,405 last year. According to the organisation, police better assess cases than back in 2007, reaching for bans more often to try and aid victims, helping them gain some distance in volatile situations. The legislation was inspired by a similar law in neighbouring Austria.

Motorist who crashed in police chase in serious condition

A motorist who crashed on Saturday pursued by the police, is in serious condition in hospital and has not yet been charged. In the incident, the 32-year-old sped away from a gas station in Plzeň without paying but hit another vehicle at high speed with the police in close pursuit. The fellow passenger in his car, a 24-year-old female, was killed in the crash.

Senior killed in head-on collision

One person was killed and two were seriously injured in a car crash in the area of Tachov on Sunday. The fatal accident unravelled shortly after 10 am. The 63-year-old driver who lost his life had been trying to pass when he collided head-on with another vehicle. A man and woman in the other car were transported to a hospital in Plzeň.

Rare orangutan dies at Prague Zoo

A veterinarian and zookeepers were unable to save a rare Sumatran orangutan named Padang at Prague Zoo in the early hours of Sunday. The great ape had undergone surgery to try and correct serious gastrointestinal problems. After the operation, Pandang collapsed at around 12 AM. Those involved tried to revive the ape for some four hours. The Sumatran orangutan is one of the most threatened species in the wild; there are only some 7,300 in the wilderness. In captivity, the orangutan can reach up to 60 years of age, compared to between 30 and 45 in nature.

Cold to arrive later in January

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute says that colder winter temperatures could hit the Czech Republic towards the end of January, falling to as low as -14 degrees Celsius. Until now, the country has seen unseasonably mild weather; at Christmas, some areas saw records broken.

Tennis: Czech Republic gets off to perfect start in Hopman Cup

Real-life off-court partners Radek Štepánek and Petra Kvitová posted singles wins and combined to win in mixed doubles over Spain in the Hopman Cup on Sunday. Kvitová, the former Wimbledon champion, was the first to win, beating Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-1 6-0. Štepánek followed up with a win over Daniel Munoz-De La Nava 6-2 6-2, a late replacement for Tommy Robredo.

Weather

The beginning of the week should be partly overcast with some sunny periods. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach highs of around 4 degrees Celsius.