Czech morning news in brief: top headlines for July 16, 2021

Czech President Miloš Zeman has expressed condolences to the families of victims of the floods in Germany in a letter to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a castle spokesman said. Due to persistent rain and floods, at least 42 people died in the last 48 hours in the western part of Germany. Further people have been reported missing. "With deep regret, I heard the news about the tragic floods in the western part of the Federal Republic of Germany that claimed many victims and injuries and caused huge material damage. On behalf of the Czech public and myself I express deep condolences to You and the families of the victims at this troubling moment," Zeman wrote. The Czech Republic has offered help to Germany by sending firefighters but so far, Germany has coped with the situation on its own. ČTK

Czech PM Andrej Babiš released a new book Thursday evening. "Share Before They Ban It" addresses the experience the PM has gained in Czech and international politics, covering his visit to the Trump White House, Covid commentary, and his stance on migrant quotas ("No! No! No!"). In it, he praises Czech mothers and grandmothers and also announces that this is the last time he will run for the Chamber of Deputies. He also explains why he believes the Pirates are traitors to the country and the greatest danger that currently threatens the Czech Republic. This is Babiš's second book. In 2017, he released the title "What Do I Dream of When I Sleep by Chance." The new book was published electronically on Thursday, and an audiobook will be published soon. In August, it will be available in a printed version with a circulation of 300,000 copies. It contains 450 pages and another 32 pages of photos.

Second-seeded Barbora Krejčíková advanced to the quarterfinals of the Prague Open by defeating Ysaline Bonaventure of Belgium 7-6 (2), 6-4 on Thursday. The French Open champion will next face her doubles partner and Czech compatriot Kateřina Siniaková. Ninth-seeded Greet Minnen beat Russia’s Anastasia Gasanova 6-3, 7-6 (3). The Belgian will play Storm Sanders in the quarterfinals after the Australian came back to eliminate Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. China’s Xinyu Wang recovered from an early scare to beat Taiwan’s En-Shuo Liang 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 and will next play Grace Min of the United States. ČTK

Roughly three-fifths of Czechs are afraid of something, most often of Covid-19, according to a poll conducted by the CVVM polling institute in June and released Thursday. Czechs also fear bad health, wars, and worsening living standards. By contrast, roughly 90 percent still feel safe at home and in the Czech Republic. The poll was conducted on a sample of 1,000 Czechs aged over 15. Compared with the previous poll carried out in November 2019, the number of those having some fears has increased by 4 percentage points to 58 percent. Thirty-one percent, are afraid of the coronavirus; this is obviously connected with fears of bad health, felt by 18 percent. It is followed by fear of wars and worsened living standards, with 11 percent for each. The pollsters compared to the previous poll, the fear of migrants has considerably decreased, from 22 percent to 9 percent. ČTK

It will warm up in the Czech Republic for the weekend, but from Saturday it is rain and heavy storms will predominant the forecast with possibly clearing again on Sunday afternoon. On Friday it will be cloudy to partly cloudy, with occasional thunderstorms and temps up to 28°C. On Saturday night rain or showers or even thunderstorms could occur and during the day it will be cloudy to overcast with high temps again up to 28°C, It should rain in most parts of the country on Sunday and will be cloudy to overcast, but in the evening the clouds and precipitation should decrease. Daytime temps will climb to 27°C.