Daily news summary
Foreign Minister begins three-day visit to Egypt
Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek has begun a three-day visit to Egypt during which he is expected to meet with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The Czech News Agency reported that meeting would likely take place on Monday. Mr Zaorálek is visiting with a delegation of Czech business representatives; meetings are also scheduled with ministers. A visit to Cairo's Abusir (where Czech archeologists have been active for some 55 years and have contributed extensively to important finds) has also been planned.
On Sunday, the foreign minister met with members of the Syrian opposition in Cairo and agreed that utmost effort was needed to end violence in Syria so that refugees fleeing the conflict could return home. Members of the 'Cairo platform' met by Mr Zaorálek include the Syrian actor, director and producer Jamal Suliman who told Czech journalists that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should step down.
Artist Ai Weiwei's work goes up in front of Prague's Veletržní Palác
Work by the renowned contemporary artist and political activist Ai Weiwei has been installed in front of Prague's Veletržní Palác (Trade Fair Palace), run by the National Gallery. The artist, a strong critic of the Chinese government over human rights, is to visit Prague next week to personally present the 12 sculptures entitled Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads. It is the first time Ai Weiwei's work is being exhibited in the Czech capital. The work has been described as criticism of both European military intervention in China in the 19th century and the contemporary art market. It will remain on view until the end of August.
PM suggests president dividing society to prepare ground for next presidential elections
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has expressed the conviction that the Czech head of state, Miloš Zeman, is dividing Czech society as a means to create an ideal environment for re-election in the next presidential elections. The prime minister suggested as much in an interview for the Czech weekly Respekt. He likened a recent statement the president made about the Kalashnikov as being a non-democratic means of 'ridding' the country of the prime minister to rhetoric used by fascists and white supremacists. In the same article, Mr Sobotka suggested that Mr Zeman may have shifted from the left to conservative opinions as a result of older age.
Director, screenwriter, Ladislav Helge dies at 88
Director and screenwriter Ladislav Helge, who was part of the generation that formed the Czech New Wave in the 1960s, died on Sunday at the age of 88. He passed away at an unnamed Prague hospital following a long illness. The news was released by film producer Jaromír Kallista. After the Soviet-led occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and during much the Normalisation period, Mr Helge was banned from working in film. In 1977, he began work as a director and scriptwriter at Laterna Magika, where he remained for 15 years. In the mid-1990s he headed FAMU's film directing department for a time following the death of fellow director Zdeněk Sirový.
D10 highway section blocked for three hours following accident
An accident on the D10 highway on Sunday morning,which left four people with injuries, saw the section of highway closed off for three hours before traffic resumed. The accident took place at the 64th kilometre in the direction of Turnov. One of those injured, the driver of a small truck, was taken to hospital by helicopter, an emergency services spokeswoman confirmed.
Gale-force winds expected in areas
Gale or whole gale-force winds are expected in parts of the Czech Republic on Monday, ranging from 70 km/h in lower laying areas in Bohemia and the Czech-Moravian highlands and 90 km/h in the mountains. In places, windy conditions will continue into Tuesday, the Czech Hydro-meteorological Institute said.
NHL All-Star competition: P.K. Subban channels Jágr in breakaway challenge
Montreal Canadiens' defenceman P.K. Subban won the NHL's breakaway challenge in the NHL's All-Stars skills competition on Saturday while channeling Czech legend Jaromír Jágr. On his second attempt, Subban donned a Florida Panthers jersey with the number 68, a wig emulating Jágr's famous mullet haircut, and a Jofa helmet; after taking the shot on Pekka Rinne, he even saluted Jágr-style. Speaking afterwards, Subban said he only got the idea around 25 minutes earlier but that it was a sign of respect to a player he had grown up watching. Jágr, also on the All-Star team, got a clear kick out of the joke and joined Subban on the ice in appreciation.
