News

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Local authorities told to keep flood defences in place as more rain due

Local authorities in the Czech Republic have been told to keep flood defences in place as more rain is expected in the coming days. The order comes six days after a wave of flooding began in the country. Some people who were evacuated earlier in the week are returning to their homes, while many municipalities have begun cleanup operations and assessing the cost of the damage. However, thousands of people remain without electricity and states of alert are still in force in around a dozen places in Bohemia. Meanwhile, the number of deaths related to the floods has risen to 10.

All Prague metro lines running but some stations closed until Monday

All three of Prague’s underground rail lines are now working again, after the metro’s operators shut down the system earlier in the week for fear of flooding. However, trains are not stopping at nine stations, which remain closed. The entire system should be functioning as normal from Monday. Following catastrophic floods in 2002, in which more than a dozen stations were inundated, it took four months for the metro to return to normal.

Zoo to build new, higher gorilla enclosure

Prague Zoo is to build a new gorilla enclosure at a higher altitude than the current one. Zoo officials reached agreement on the project with the acting mayor of Prague, Tomáš Hudeček, on Friday. Over 1,000 animals were moved from the lower part of the zoo ahead of floods this week. It was devastated by a deluge in 2002 that saw more than 100 animals die. The damage caused this week has been put at CZK 100 million, down from a previous estimate of CZK 160 million.

Czech Radio sets up account to help flood victims

The Czech Radio Foundation has set up a special bank account, entitled Help with Us, where members of the public can contribute to those hardest hit by flooding this week. The number of the Czech bank account, which is up and running, is 888 444 666/0300.

Prague arts events affected by flooding

Prague’s Museum Night, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, has been postponed because of the recent flood situation. The event, in which museums and some galleries stay open late and offer free admission, is likely to now be held in September. The Respect festival of world music, which takes place on June 15 and 16, has been moved from its usual venue on Štvanice Island to Prague’s Ladronka. And a benefit concert for the devastated Jazz Dock club has been organised for Tuesday at Lucerna Music Bar.

Kalousek admits to being drunk during interviews

The minister of finance, Miroslav Kalousek, has admitted to being drunk in interviews to broadcast media outlets on Thursday, the news site iDnes.cz reported. Mr. Kalousek slurred his words and struggled to speak coherently in interviews for Czech Radio and TV Nova on the subject of tax reliefs for flooded businesses. Speaking on Friday, the minister said he had had two shots of spirits and, as he was tired, they had affected him more than he had expected. He apologised and said he would not offer excuses similar to those produced by other politicians in the past.

Ministry presents annual awards for promoting good name of country

The Foreign Ministry on Friday presented its Gratias Agit awards to people who have worked to promote the good name of the Czech Republic internationally. Among the recipients were the opera star Magdalena Kožená, priest Petr Esterka, who coordinates church services for Czechs in the United States, and German-based artist Jiří Georg Dokoupil. The Gratias Agit awards have been presented annually since 1997.

Czechs welcome Italians in World Cup qualifier

The Czech Republic’s footballers are taking on Italy in a key World Cup qualifier in Prague on Friday evening. The Czech team are at near full strength, though they will be without English Championship star Matěj Vydra, who is injured. Michal Bílek’s charges have had a mixed campaign so far and lie in third place in Group B after picking up only eight points from a possible 15. Leaders Italy, who are group favourites, have only dropped two points in the same number of games.

Czech pair knocked out in women’s doubles semis in Paris

Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká have been knocked out in the semi-finals of the women’s doubles competition at the French Open. The Czech duo lost 4-6 5-7 to Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova of Russia. Hradecká had lifted the mixed doubles title alongside František Čermák at Roland Garros on Thursday.

Weather

It should be fair with some rain or storms in the coming days. Temperatures will reach up to 25 degrees Celsius.