Daily news summary

Interior Ministry denies asylum request to Chinese Christian

The Ministry of Interior has issued its first verdict in the case of around 70 Chinese Christians, who lodged asylum requests in the Czech Republic on the grounds that they fear persecution at home. The ministry on Wednesday denied the request to one of them, arguing that there was no proof that they were persecuted in China.

The Chinese Christian, who applied for asylum in the Czech Republic, have been waiting for the verdict for two years. Hana Franková of the Organisation Aid to Refugees told the website Aktualne.cz that those whose request is denied will appeal the verdict in court.

Survey: Czechs biggest Eurosceptics in Central Europe

Czech are the biggest Eurosceptics in Central Europe, suggests a survey carried out by the think tank Europeum, which was presented on Wednesday.

According to the survey, 54 percent of Czechs would vote for staying in the EU, while 34 would vote against. Young people and pensioners are among the biggest supporters of Czech EU membership, while most Eurosceptics can be found in the age group from 36 to 50 years of age.

Taxi drivers plan fresh protests for next week

Prague taxi drivers are planning to stage fresh protests against the app-based services such as Uber and Taxify, the deputy leader of an association of taxi drivers, Karolína Vencelová, told the Czech News Agency on Wednesday. The protests are likely to start on Monday. Official taxi drivers, who have to pay the city for their licenses, say competition from unofficial drivers is undercutting their business.

The drivers have been pressing city and national authorities to put both types of taxi drivers on the same footing. Several protests, which included blocking the traffic in the city, have already taken place in the previous weeks.

Education for trades set to make comeback in elementary schools

Compulsory lessons in metalwork and other crafts are set to return to Czech elementary schools, iRozhlas.cz reported on Wednesday. “Practical studies” should make a comeback to school curriculums within two years after agreement was reached between the prime minister in resignation, Andrej Babiš, and representatives of trades organisations, the news website said.

Mr. Babiš said the lack of apprentices in the Czech Republic was a major problem for the economy, which is facing a labour shortage, and that his ANO party had long been in favour of dual education, which combines class work and on-the-job training.

British writer and actor Mark Gettis guest of this year’s Febiofest

English actor, comedian, screenwriter and novelist Mark Gattis, will be among the guests of this year’s Febiofest international film festival, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

Mr Gattis, who he is a member of the comedy team The League of Gentlemen, will present his BBC drama series Queers that looks at life for gay men and women in the UK.

Mark Gattis is best known for writing for and acting in the TV series Doctor Who and Sherlock. He also appeared in the HBO series Games of Thrones.

Czechs reach semis in ice hockey in Pyeongchang

The Czech Republic have made it into the semi-finals of the ice hockey competition at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Coach Josef Jandač’s men reached the last four after overcoming the United States 3:2 in a shootout on Wednesday after goalie Francouz kept out all of the Americans’ efforts and Koukal was the only player to convert. The Czechs’ goals had come through Kolář and Kundrátek.

On Friday the Czech Republic will face Russia for a place in the final.

Weather

Thursday is expected to be partly cloudy with daytime highs ranging between minus two and two degrees Celsius.