8 people die in overnight fire in Czech city of Brno
May 4, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Eight people have died in an overnight fire in the second largest city in the Czech Republic, police said Thursday.
The fire broke out about two hours after midnight in Brno, located 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of Prague.
Finland, Sweden advance to 5th-place game in world hockey
April 15, 2023 GMTBRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Petra Nieminen had three goals and an assist and Finland routed Germany 8-2 on Friday to advance to the fifth-place game in the women’s world hockey championship.
Finland will face Sweden, a 1-0 winner over Japan in the night game, on Sunday.
US beats Czech Republic at women’s world hockey championship
April 10, 2023 GMTBRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Hilary Knight scored to help the United States beat the Czech Republic 6-2 on Sunday in the women’s world hockey championship.
Megan Keller, Tessa Janecke, Abby Roque, Eden Lacey and Hayley Scamurra also scored for the U.S.
Alcaraz, Sabalenka advance to 4th round of Miami Open
March 27, 2023 GMTMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz of Spain beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-0, 7-6 (5) and will face American Tommy Paul on Tuesday.
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cruised past Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday.
Emil Bocek, last Czech RAF pilot during WWII, dies at 100
March 25, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Emil Bocek, the last living Czech pilot who fought the Nazis while serving with Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II, has died at age 100.
A community center for war veterans in the Czech Republic city of Brno, his hometown, said Bocek died on Saturday.
Comedian Trevor Noah wins prestigious Dutch Erasmus Prize
March 16, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Comedian Trevor Noah, the former host of “The Daily Show,” has won the prestigious Dutch Erasmus Prize, becoming the first humorist awarded the honor since Charlie Chaplin in 1965, the foundation that selects the winner announced Thursday.
Retired army general Petr Pavel inaugurated Czech president
March 9, 2023 GMTPrague (AP) — A retired army general and former senior NATO official was sworn in Thursday as the Czech Republic's new president, succeeding the controversy-courting Milos Zeman.
Olympian who dropped dog’s meds on skin avoids doping ban
March 2, 2023 GMTNowhere in the complex labyrinth of rules, bylaws and interpretations that govern the global anti-doping system did anyone see this warning: Beware of Dog Medicine.
It's an understandable omission, but one that led to a three-month sleuthing expedition that eventually exonerated a five-time Olympian of doping, while adding what some feel is an unnecessary asterisk next to her spotless record as a clean athlete.
British, Czech boxers join US-led boycott of world champs
February 14, 2023 GMTSHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Boxers from Britain and the Czech Republic on Tuesday joined a United States-led boycott of the world championships, deepening a standoff over the International Boxing Association's Russian president and his insistence on letting Russian fighters compete with their country's flag and anthem.
Czechs to end checks at Slovak border amid migration decline
February 1, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic's government will end checks on the country's border with Slovakia that were renewed last year amid a new increase in migration, officials said Wednesday.
Retired Czech army general Pavel wins presidential election
January 28, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Petr Pavel, a retired army general, decisively defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in a runoff vote Saturday to become the Czech Republic's new president.
From the start, Shiffrin showed she was the skier to beat
January 24, 2023 GMTFrom a prodigiously talented 15-year-old to the most decorated female skier of all-time, Mikaela Shiffrin has done quite a lot in only 12 years.
The American skier won her record-breaking 83rd victory Tuesday in her 238th race on the World Cup circuit, the globe-trotting competition for the best skiers on the planet.
Shiffrin still has plenty of chances to break Vonn’s record
January 21, 2023 GMTCORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin will have plenty more chances — better chances, actually — to claim a record-breaking 83rd World Cup victory.
After missing out on the podium on Friday and Saturday in two straight downhills — far from her best event — she'll expect more for upcoming races in disciplines that she excels in.
Czech ex-PM Babis favorite in presidential vote’s 1st round
January 12, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis leads a field of eight candidates hoping to succeed Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial but prestigious post of the Czech president.
Babis, a former prime minister, was recently acquitted in a fraud trial, boosting his chances of winning in the first round of the presidential election in voting on Friday and Saturday.
Canada beats Czech Republic 3-2 in OT for 20th junior title
January 6, 2023 GMTHALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the game at 6:22 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday night for its record-extending 20th world junior hockey title.
Canada beats US 6-2 in world junior hockey semifinals
January 5, 2023 GMTHALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Adam Fantilli scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Thomas Milic made 43 saves and Canada overcame an early deficit to beat the United States 6-2 on Wednesday night to advance to the world junior hockey championship game.
US beats Germany 11-1 in junior hockey quarterfinals
January 3, 2023 GMTMONCTON, New Brunswick (AP) — Minnesota freshman Logan Cooley had three goals and an assist and UMass sophomore Ryan Ufko set up five goals as the United States beat Germany 11-1 on Monday in the quarterfinals of the world junior hockey championship.
US wins Group B in world junior hockey, beating Finland 6-2
January 1, 2023 GMTMONCTON, New Brunswick (AP) — Minnesota freshman Jimmy Snuggerud had a goal and three assists and the United States beat Finland 6-2 on Saturday to win Group B in the world junior hockey championship.
US, Greece, Italy, Britain, Swiss win at United Cup
December 30, 2022 GMTSYDNEY (AP) — It wasn't the way Frances Tiafoe would have preferred to clinch a match at the United Cup mixed teams tennis tournament.
The United States defeated Czech Republic when Tiafoe’s opponent Tomas Machac retired due to a right ankle injury in the second set of their singles match Friday.
ATP, WTA join forces for United Cup mixed teams tournament
December 28, 2022 GMTThe ATP and WTA tours’ new joint venture begins Thursday in three Australian cities with plenty of prize money and ranking points at stake.
And the mixed teams United Cup could also help shake off some of the holiday season rust ahead of the Australian Open starting Jan.
Finland bounces back at world juniors, beats Slovakia 5-2
December 28, 2022 GMTMONCTON, New Brunswick (AP) — Oliver Kapanen and Joakim Kemell each had a goal and an assist as Finland beat Slovakia 5-2 on Tuesday at the world junior hockey championship.
Jani Nyman also scored during Finland’s three-goal second period.
Russian hurdler stripped of 2012 Olympics gold for doping
December 21, 2022 GMTMONACO (AP) — Russian 400-meter hurdler Natalya Antyukh will lose her gold medal from the 2012 London Games due to doping, putting American Lashinda Demus in position to be named the champion more than a decade after the race.
3 energy companies vying to build new Czech nuke reactor
November 30, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Three energy companies including U.S. Westinghouse, France’s EdF and Korea’s KHNP will by vying to build the Czech Republic’s newest reactor at the Dukovany nuclear power station, authorities said Wednesday, as the country strives to become more energy independent and wean itself of fossil fuels.
Central European PMs stress shared ties amid friction on war
November 24, 2022 GMTKOSICE, Slovakia (AP) — The leaders of four Central European countries meeting in a regional summit in Slovakia Thursday emphasized the issues that tie them together and downplayed divisive ones.
High energy prices lead to coal revival in Czech Republic
November 18, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — In this part of northeastern Czech Republic, huge piles of coal are stacked up ready to sell to eager buyers and smoke belches from coal-fired plants that are ramping up instead of winding down.
Czech power company CEZ expects record dividends
November 10, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech power utility CEZ said on Thursday its net profit in the third quarter reached 18.7 billion Czech crowns ($771 million), with the company again raising again its outlook for earnings for 2022.
Czech populist billionaire Babis vows to run for president
October 30, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis has announced his intention to run for the largely ceremonial post of the Czech Republic’s president.
Babis, the controversial former prime minister, made his announcement on Sunday evening in a television broadcast.
Tens of thousands of Czechs show their support for Ukraine
October 30, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Tens of thousands of Czechs gathered in the capital on Sunday to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine and their support for democratic values.
Czechs rally to demand resignation of pro-Western government
October 28, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Tens of thousands of Czechs used a national holiday Friday to rally in the capital against the pro-Western government and its support for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.
Aho’s late goal leads Hurricanes past Sharks 2-1
October 15, 2022 GMTSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Sebastian Aho scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:58 remaining in the third period and the Carolina Hurricanes handed the San Jose Sharks their third straight loss to open the season, 2-1 on Friday night.
Alphonso Davies to miss Bayern’s Champions League match
October 11, 2022 GMTMUNICH, Germany (AP) — Canada star Alphonso Davies will not dress for Bayern Munich’s Champions League Group match on Wednesday night at the Czech Republic's Viktoria Plzen after sustaining a cranial bruise at Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
Rare loss in final for Swiatek as Krejcikova wins in Ostrava
October 9, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Iga Swiatek lost in a final for the first time in three years as Barbora Krejcikova claimed her second title in successive weeks at the Agel Open on Sunday.
Home favorite Krejcikova rallied from a set down to win the final 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
No 1 Swiatek and home favorite Krejcikova in Ostrava final
October 8, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek became the first WTA Tour player since 2017 to achieve 60 wins in a calendar year when she reached yet another final on Saturday in the Czech Republic.
Swiatek made to fight by qualifier to reach Ostrava semis
October 7, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Two Grand Slam champions fought for nearly two hours each to top American qualifiers and reach the Agel Open semifinals on Friday.
No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek got past former junior partner and rival Caty McNally 6-4, 6-4, and Barbora Krejcikova was the only Czech of three in the quarterfinals to advance when she ended the career-best run of Alycia Parks 7-6 (7), 6-3.
Macron at Europe’s center stage with new summit initiative
October 7, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Smile flashing, giving a thumbs-up, Emmanuel Macron appears at Europe’s center stage again — literally.
The photo of over 40 European leaders surrounding the French president Thursday ensured a symbolic image of unity of the continent faced with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making the inaugural summit of the European Political Community an initial success for Macron, who launched the idea a few months ago.
Alycia Parks reaches 1st WTA quarterfinal in Ostrava
October 6, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — American qualifier Alycia Parks is having quite the breakthrough tournament in Ostrava.
The 21-year-old Parks earned her first win against a top-10 ranked opponent by beating fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 at the Agel Open on Thursday to reach her first WTA Tour quarterfinal.
Top-ranked Swiatek, Kvitova reach quarters at Agel Open
October 5, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek advanced to the quarterfinals of the Agel Open after Ajla Tomljanovic retired with an injury during the second set of their second-round match on Wednesday.
Qatar ruler in Czech Republic to talk business, gas exports
October 5, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Qatar’s emir paid his first visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday for business talks expected to include a potential deal for deliveries of Qatari liquefied natural gas.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is accompanied by a large delegation, was formally greeted by Czech President Milos Zeman at the Prague Castle.
5th-seeded Kasatkina knocks out Raducanu at Agel Open
October 4, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Fifth-seeded Daria Kasatkina defeated 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 7-5, 6-4 Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Agel Open.
Kasatkina was playing her first match since losing in the first round of the U.S.
Wimbledon champ Rybakova beats Keys in Ostrava opener
October 3, 2022 GMTOSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakova came from a set down to defeat Madison Keys 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Agel Open on Monday.
Rybakova had lost to Keys this year at the French Open and Cincinnati.
Czechia’s ruling coalition wins election in Senate
October 1, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — A senior government party in the Czech Republic linked to conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala has won an election for a third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, with the ruling coalition parties retaining a dominant position in the Senate.
NHL: Russian players all clear for games in Czech Republic
September 29, 2022 GMTRussian players on two NHL teams opening the season in the Czech Republic will be allowed to participate in the two Global Series games in Prague after all.
The Czech government has dropped its attempted ban of Russian players on the rosters for San Jose and Nashville, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Thursday.
Czechs launch checks at Slovak border amid migration uptick
September 29, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Czech police fired warning shots in the air before detaining the driver of a van carrying 15 migrants Thursday morning after the Czech Republic and Austria renewed checks at the border with Slovakia amid a new wave of migration.
Austria to launch checks at Slovak border to stop migrants
September 28, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Austria announced Wednesday that it will start checking travel documents at its border with Slovakia following a similar decision by the Czech Republic to keep migrants from entering without authorization.
Thousands rally to demand Czech government’s resignation
September 28, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Thousands of protesters rallied again in the Czech capital on Wednesday to condemn the Czech government’s handling of the energy crisis and its support for Ukraine.
Despite a national holiday, the protest that united the far right with the far left was smaller than the some 70,000 people who gathered for the same reasons at Prague’s central Wenceslas Square on Sept 3.
MATCHDAY: Portugal-Spain decider rounds off Nations League
September 26, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Tuesday:
LEAGUE A
Last year's Nations League runner-up Spain visits Portugal in a winner-take-all match to decide who advances to the Final Four from Group A2.
Nations League: Portugal beats Czechs, Spain loses to Swiss
September 24, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Diogo Dalot helped Portugal take control of its Nations League group by scoring his first two international goals in a 4-0 rout at the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Spain blew its lead of Group A2 after flopping in a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in front of its disappointed fans in Zaragoza.
Opposition leads in 1st round of Czech Senate election
September 24, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The major opposition party in the Czech Republic appeared to be leading Saturday in the first round of elections for one-third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, the Senate.
With ballots from more than 95% of ballot stations counted, the centrist ANO movement led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babis had the most candidates, 17, advancing to next week's runoffs.
MATCHDAY: Spain hosts Switzerland, Portugal visits Czechs
September 23, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
Portugal visits Czechs needing win in Nations League
September 23, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Portugal plays the Czech Republic in the Nations League on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo's team hoping to set up a showdown with Spain to decide who advances to the Final Four tournament.
Lewandowski’s triple landmark as Barcelona beats Plzen 5-1
September 7, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — It didn't take long for Robert Lewandowski to leave his mark with Barcelona in the Champions League.
Lewandowski scored three goals in the team's opening 5-1 rout of Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, becoming the first player to get a hat trick with three different clubs in the Champions League.
Viktoria Plzen meets giants again in Champions League return
September 6, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Viktoria Plzen is in familiar waters as it prepares to play Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The Czech champion has faced European heavyweights before in the group stage but hopes the results will be different this time.
Czech Cabinet survives no-confidence vote over energy prices
September 2, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government has survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the energy crisis and a scandal involving the head of one of the country’s spy agencies.
Czech government faces no-confidence vote over energy prices
September 1, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government on Thursday faced a parliamentary no-confidence vote over its handling of the energy crisis and a scandal involving the head of one of the country’s spy agencies.
EU to tighten travel rules for Russians, but no visa ban
August 31, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — European Union countries agreed Wednesday to make it harder for Russian citizens to enter the 27-nation bloc, but they failed to find a consensus on imposing an outright tourist ban in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Pera beats top-seeded Krejcikova for 12th straight win
August 24, 2022 GMTCLEVELAND (AP) — Bernarda Pera extended her career-best winning streak to 12 matches, beatiung top-seeded Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals in Tennis in The Land.
Maximilian Kieffer wins Czech Masters for 1st title
August 21, 2022 GMTVYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic (AP) — Maximilian Kieffer closed with a 6-under 66 to win the rain-hit Czech Masters for his first European tour title on Sunday.
Kieffer finished one shot ahead of overnight leader Gavin Green at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague with a 16-under 200 total.
Play suspended for the day at Czech Masters due to rain
August 20, 2022 GMTVYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic (AP) — Play was suspended for the day at the Czech Masters after the course was flooded following heavy rain on Saturday.
Only 10 players were able to start the third round at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague.
Gavin Green sets course record to take lead at Czech Masters
August 19, 2022 GMTVYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic (AP) — Gavin Green hit a couple of eagles to break the course record with a 9-under 63 Friday and take a three-shot lead after the second round of the Czech Masters.
Green eagled the par-5 first and 10th holes and added five birdies in his flawless round for a 14-under total of 130 at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague.