Daily news summary

Around 40,000 people attend Prague Pride Parade

The eight Prague Pride festival of LGBT culture culminated on Saturday with a traditional parade through the city centre. An estimated 40,000 people took part in the procession, which set off from Wenceslas Square and ended at Prague’s Letná plain, where a concert is held.

The main focus of this year’s LGBT festival was on a bill, due to be debated in Parliament in the autumn, that would allow gays and lesbians to enter into regular marriages, which would give them the same rights as heterosexuals. At present they can only enter into so-called registered partnerships.

Historic train ride commemorates first Czechoslovak president

A historic train has embarked from Prague’s main train station on Saturday commemorating the first Czechoslovak president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. It was on this day, in 1921, that the president left for his first stay at the Lány Chateau. The train, towed by a steam engine nicknamed the Noblewoman, is heading to Stochov in central Bohemia. Dozens of people have attended the event to have a look at Masaryk’s presidential carriage. There is also a special program at the Museum of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk at Lány to mark the anniversary.

Some 100 tonnes of fish die in Moravian pond

Up to 100 tonnes of fish are estimated to have died in a pond in the Břeclav region in south Moravia due to a low level of water, which led to a low concentration of oxygen. The incident happened on Thursday, which was the hottest day so far this year.

Around two dozen fishermen are at the site removing the dead carp and silverfish from the water. According to the administrator of the fish pond, Oldřich Pecha, the losses are estimated at several million crowns.

The drown-out period of hot and dry weather in the Czech Republic is posing a serious danger to aquatic species. Water levels in rivers around the country have fallen and the situation is particularly acute in fish ponds, minor rivers and streams.

Pilot killed in ultralight crash in South Bohemia

A pilot died after his ultralight plane crashed during an airshow near Prachatice in South Bohemia on Saturday. The pilot was the only person inside the aircraft when it came down. The airshow was cancelled following the crash. It is not yet clear what caused the accident. 

Czech tourist dies after jumping off seaside cliffs in Mallorca

A Czech tourist has died after jumping off seaside cliffs on the Spanish island of Mallorca, Czech Foreign Ministry Michaela Lagronová confirmed on Saturday. The incident happened on Friday evening. The body of the 24-year-old was retrieved from the rocky coastal cliffs by rescuers.

Czechs take two silver medals in Berlin

The Czech Republic’s Nikola Ogrodníková came second in the women’s javelin at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Friday night, securing a first medal for the Czech team. Ogrodníková, who is 27, was beaten by Christin Hussong of Germany; her best throw 67.90 meters was six centimeters longer than the Czech’s.

Anežka Drahotová secured another silver for the Czech team in the 20-kilometer speedwalking race on Saturday, finishing 30 seconds behind María Pérez of Spain.

Weather

Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with daytime highs ranging between 25 and 29 degrees Celsius.