Czech news in brief for April 6: Saturday's top headlines

The administrator of bankrupt Sberbank seeks a 30-day extension for paying creditors as the April 15 deadline approaches. With over 84% of creditors yet to claim their payment out of 15,300, approximately CZK 57 billion is pending distribution. The high number of small creditors, plus difficulties faced by international claimants, contribute to the delay. Komerční banka has processed payments totaling CZK 44.8 billion to date, with no reported issues. The bankruptcy followed the Czech National Bank's revocation of Sberbank's license due to financial strain amid geopolitical tensions.

Czech MP Pavel Žáček has revealed to German investigative group Correctiv that money from Russia intended for European politicians, including the right-wing German MP Petr Bystron, was channeled through Poland to Czechia. The sum involved ranges from hundreds of thousands to one million euros. Bystron, embroiled in the scandal, has denied accepting funds from either the Russians or the pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe.

Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe, reigning world champion, won this year's Prague Half Marathon this morning, setting a new course and personal record of 58:24 minutes. His performance not only secured the fastest time of the season but also placed him twelfth in historical charts. Sawe dominated the race, finishing well ahead of his compatriot Geoffrey Kipchumba by one minute and 37 seconds. Meanwhile, Ethiopia's Gete Alemayechu claimed victory in the women's category with a time of 1:08:10.

According to the Czech School Inspectorate, nearly a quarter of fifth-graders fail to achieve basic reading literacy, while 17% of ninth-graders face the same challenge. These findings, revealed in a recent report, highlight the need for improved reading comprehension skills, crucial not only for academic success but also for future employment prospects. Boys and pupils from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds exhibit lower literacy rates.

Czech tennis star Marie Bouzková has advanced to the semifinals at the Copa Colsanitas in Bogotá after defeating Germany's Laura Siegemund 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. The Czech, seeded first, will face Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova in a bid to make her sixth career WTA final. Bouzková has also advanced in doubles competition alongside Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo. This marks her best clay-court performance on the WTA circuit.

Czech President Petr Pavel arrived in Rwanda for a three-day visit, marking his first trip to Africa in office. He will attend the 30th-anniversary commemoration of the genocide that claimed around 800,000 lives. Pavel aims to meet President Paul Kagame and other dignitaries, alongside engaging with Czech expatriates in Rwanda. Recognizing Rwanda's potential as a stable partner with low corruption levels, Pavel seeks to explore avenues for bilateral cooperation and business opportunities during his stay until Sunday.

Slovaks living in the Czech Republic queued at the polling station in Kúty, Slovakia, near the Czech border, for the second round of the presidential election this morning. Many arrived with electoral cards to cast decisive votes for either diplomat Ivan Korčok or former PM Peter Pellegrini. Unlike parliamentary elections, Slovaks can't vote by mail from abroad. The first round saw Korčok lead with a significant margin.

Plzeň's DEPO2015 arena hosted the 32nd annual Žebřík Music Awards on Friday night, where Marek Ztracený, Ewa Farna, and Chinaski claimed top honors in the male singer, female singer, and band categories, respectively. Plzeň native Jiří Suchý received a special award for his multifaceted contributions to the arts. The event also featured live performances by Tereza Balonová, Michal Hrůza, and Jamaron, culminating in a set by the victorious Chinaski. Organized by iReport magazine, the awards saw over a thousand attendees and thousands of fan votes.

In March, the average consumer loan rate in the Czech Republic dropped to 8.25%, marking a 20-month low according to the Broker Consulting Index. Credit analysts note the stability of rates in the first quarter of 2024, expecting minor fluctuations ahead. While rates saw slight variations early this year, the installment structure and repayment period remain crucial considerations for borrowers, impacting the total repayment amount.

The Czech women's ice hockey team faced a tough defeat against a dominant American squad at the World Championship in Utica, New York, losing 6-0. Despite goalkeeper Klára Peslarová's 42 saves, the reigning champions, led by Alex Carpenter's hat trick, secured a decisive victory. Coach Carla MacLeod praised her team's resilience despite the score, highlighting their competitive spirit. Looking ahead, they aim to bounce back against Canada in their next game.