Daily news summary
Poll: Trust in president and government falls sharply
Trust in the country’s president, Miloš Zeman, has taken a sharp dive following the recent government crisis, suggests a new poll conducted by the CVVM agency. Some 41 percent of people who took part in the poll said they trusted the president, while in the previous two months that figure stood around 55 percent. Trust in the government has also dropped significantly, from 40 percent in April to 23 percent in May. According to CVVM, public trust in politics is currently at its lowest since the end of 2013.
Czech defence minister offer Ukraine stepped up support
Czech minister of defence Martin Stropnický discussed stepped up cooperation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Stepan Poltorak, during a two day visit to Kiev. Increased help with military training and equipment supply were discussed, according to Ukrainian reports of the meeting. Stropnický also said that the Czech system for approving arms exports had been changed so that exports to Ukraine would be treated like any other country, the Czech ministry said. The Czech minister also offered Czech help with treating soldiers injured during fighting against Russian-backed separatist forces in the east of the country.
US convoys to cross Czech Republic in June and July
Several convoys of US soldiers are due to cross the Czech Republic in June and July, the spokesman for the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Jan Šulc, told the Czech News Agency on Tuesday. Altogether 1,600 soldiers and 460 military vehicles will be crossing the country on their way from Germany to Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria to take part in a NATO military exercise.
Czech film Little Crusader to compete for top prize at Karlovy Vary
The Czech film Little Crusader directed by Václav Kadrnka will compete for the Crystal Globe for Best Film in the official competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July, the festival organizers announced on Tuesday. The historical road movie, based on a poem by Jaroslav Vrchlický, will receive its premiere at the 53rd edition of the festival. The White World According to Daliborek by Vít Klusák will compete in Karlovy Vary’s documentary competition.
Margaret Atwood to be awarded Franz Kafka prize
Canadian novelist, poetry writer and essayist, Margaret Atwood, has been chosen as this year’s winner of the Franz Kafka prize. She should be officially presented with the award at a ceremony in Prague in October. The prize to mark the life and works of Kafka has been awarded since 2001. Previous winners include Ivan Klima, Haruki Marukami, and Philip Roth. One of the criteria for the award is the work’s humanistic character.
Heavy storms to hit Czech Republic on Tuesday
Tropical temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius were recorded all around the Czech Republic on Monday. The highest temperature, 33.7 degrees Celsius, was recorded at Průhonice near Prague. Meteorologists have warned that the heatwave will be followed by heavy storms, which are expected to hit the country on Tuesday afternoon and could be accompanied by hail and torrential rain.
Weather
Wednesday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with occasional rain showers and storms. Daytime temperatures will range between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.
