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Klaus tells US conference government intervention cannot cure climate change

The Czech president, Václav Klaus, has said government intervention cannot be a cure for climate change. Speaking at a conference entitled ECO:nomics in Santa Barbara, California, Mr Klaus said it was necessary strictly to separate legitimate care for the environment from climate alarmism, which he said could lead to the limitation of freedom and societal development. The Czech president reportedly accepted an invitation to speak at the conference as he expected to debate with former US vice-president Al Gore. However, Mr Gore spoke a day earlier and the two did not meet. Václav Klaus has repeatedly stated that it is a fallacy to believe the behaviour of mankind is responsible for global warming, and has compared environmentalism to communism.

Poll: one third of Czechs feeling effects of crisis

One third of Czechs say they and their families are feeling the effects of the financial crisis, according to a new opinion poll by the Median agency quoted in the newspaper Mladá fronta Dnes. Respondents around the age of 50 with lower levels of education were more likely to say they were feeling the pinch. Three quarters of university graduates said the crisis had not affected them.

Highest level of flood alert no longer in place

The highest level of flood alert is no longer in place on any of the Czech Republic’s rivers. There had been fears that rivers including the Sázava, Dyje, and Jihlava would burst their banks; however, thanks to a drop in both precipitation and temperature water levels have begun to fall. Heavy flooding in the Czech Republic in 1997 and 2002 led to deaths and significant material damage.

Czech official signs deal on pirates with Kenya on behalf of EU

The Czech ambassador to Kenya, Margita Fuchsová, has signed on behalf of the European Union a deal with Kenya on the transfer to Kenya of suspected Somali pirates detained as part of an EU anti-piracy naval mission. AFP reported that Ms Fuchsová and Kenya’s foreign minister, Moses Wetangula, signed the agreement in Nairobi on Friday. The Czech Republic currently holds the rotation presidency of the EU.

Rebel Greens may be expelled

Four rebel members of the Greens could be expelled at a meeting of the party’s national council on Sunday, a representative said. MPs Olga Zubová and Věra Jakubová and former education minister Dana Kuchtová are among those who could be thrown out of the smallest party in the governing coalition, after setting up a fraction named Democratic Appeal in opposition to chairman Martin Bursík. Party officials said the rebels had overstepped the mark by appearing in public, using the party emblem and setting up their own website.

Director Herz for lifetime contribution award at Czech Lions

The film director Juraj Herz is to receive a prize for lifetime contribution to Czech film at the Czech Lion awards on Saturday night. A Slovak-born Holocaust survivor, Herz was an assistant director on Oscar-winning Obchod na Korze (The Shop on Main Street) before making his debut as director in 1965 with the 30-minute Sběrné surovosti (The Junk Shop), based on a short story by Bohumil Hrabal. Three years later he helmed the great Spalovač Mrtvol (The Creator).

Třeštíková documentary opens Made in Prague festival in London

The documentary René by Helena Třeštíková opened a festival of Czech films entitled Made in Prague that got underway in London on Friday night. Made in Prague is set to visit 13 British cities in the next two months. Among the feature films inlcuded in the festival are O rodičích a dětech (Of Parents and Children) by Vladimír Michálek and Medvídek (Teddy Bear) by Jan Hřebejk.

Czech Republic lead France 2:1 in Davis Cup

The Czech Republic are leading France 2:1 in a Davis Cup World Group first round tie. After a win for Tomáš Berdych and defeat for Radek Štěpánek on Friday, the two overcame Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra 6-3 1-6 6-4 6-2 in the doubles. One more win from the two singles rubbers on Sunday would see the Czech Republic advance to the second round. France has not lost at this stage of the Davis Cup since 2000.

Sáblíková, already champion, wins last race of World Cup

The Czech speed skater Martina Sáblíková has won the final race of the long track World Cup. The 21-year-old had already won the overall World Cup competition for the season before Friday’s 3000 m in Salt Lake City, her third such title in a row. Sáblíková will be hoping to take her fine form into the single distances World Championships, which begin in Vancouver next week.

Weather

We can expect sunny spells over the next few days, with temperatures of up to 9 degrees Celsius.