Strong winds have caused problems in the Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc and Zlín regions in northeast Czech Republic, destroying roofs and breaking off tree branches, damaging power lines and blocking roads. Meteorologists said that wind gusts in some parts of the region had reached hurricane speeds. Fire fighters report dozens of incidents that have required their assistance on Tuesday and Wednesday. The authorities’ warning against strong winds is in place until Thursday noon.
The Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka, served the traditional Christmas lunch for the homeless and the poor. The lunch was served at the Archbishop Palace and the Capuchin monastery in Prague’s Hradčany district on Wednesday. The menu included beef stock with liver dumplings, beef in cream sauce and roast duck, the organizers said. Some 270 people arrived for the lunch whose tradition started 15 years ago.
Czech courts will take years to arrive at a unified interpretation of the new Civil Code, the head of country’s union of judges, Tomáš Lichovník, said on Wednesday. The new code enters into force in January, and brings far-reaching changes to Czech civil law. The code will first be interpreted by district courts and courts of appeals but only the Czech Supreme Court will bring unified interpretation, Mr Lichovník said. Some judges are considering retiring due to the introduction of the new code, according to Mr Lichovník.
Czech NGOs might receive certification that should help donors find the right recipients of their gifts, a Czech association of non-profit groups said. The certification should be based on the effectiveness with which the groups use their financial resources, and should help identify the most efficient among thousands of Czech NGOs, according to the association. The certification methods are being devised in cooperation with the International Committee on Fundraising Organizations; the new system could be launched in 2015.
A spell of warm weather broke several temperature records across the Czech Republic on Christmas Eve. In Bohumín, in the northeast of the country, the temperature of 13.2 degrees Celsius was reported, beating a record from 1973. Unusually high temperatures were also recorded in Ostrava, the Šumava mountains, and other places.
The San Jose Shark’s forward Tomáš Hertl could miss the upcoming winter Olympic Games in Sochi due a keen injury. The 20-year-old Czech was injured in a last week’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. The first prognosis suggested he could be back on ice in a month’s time. But the Reuters news agency reported the player would have to undergo an operation which would almost certainly make him miss the games. The young Czech player had a great start into his first NHL season this year, scoring nine points in six games.
The next few days should be mostly overcast with occasional rain and snow in higher places. Daytime highs should range between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius.
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