News
Dalai Lama arrives in Prague
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Prague on Saturday ahead of this year’s Forum 2000. The Tibetan spiritual leader last visited two years ago, shortly before the death of former president Václav Havel, with whom he was close friends. On Saturday afternoon the Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak at one of the city’s arenas on the subjects of kindness and mutual respect. Forum 2000, bringing together more than 100 world leaders, now in its 17th year, officially begins on Sunday. Along with the Dalai Lama, notable guests this year include the Burmese winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi and former president of South Africa, also a holder of the Nobel Peace Prize, Frederik de Klerk.
Radioactive material removed from demolition site
All radioactive material at Setuza’s former production plant in Lovosice was removed by specialists on Saturday while dangerous chemicals recently found at the site – which is scheduled for demolition – were secured, according to town officials. The mayor, Lenka Lízlová, has assured residents that none of the material presented a direct health threat.
Picek: anti-chemical unit could play role in eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons
Outgoing Defence Minister Vlastimil Picek said in an interview for aktualne.cz on Friday that the country’s highly-respected anti-chemical unit could help in securing and disposing of chemical weapons in war-torn Syria. He said the unit, which he called the top-notch within NATO, was ready to serve; no formal request, however, has been issued. The US and Russia have reached a deal, settling on a framework for the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons by next year.
Hydro-meteorological Institute cancels rain warning
The Czech Hydro-meteorological Institute has cancelled warnings of heavy rain in parts of Moravia, especially in the Zlín, Olomouc and Moravian-Silesian regions. Earlier, the bureau had originally warned that areas could see rainfall of up to 40mm.
New music festival kicks off in Mladá Boleslav
A new open air music festival, RockAir, has gotten underway in Mladá Boleslav, east of Prague. The fest was kicked off by local band Seven and will see performances by Czech hard rock legends Wanastovi Vjecy and Kabát. Organisers expect around 15,000 people to attend.
Štepánek and Berdych set up Davis Cup final
Czech tennis players Radek Štepánek and Tomáš Berdych made short work on Saturday of Carlos Berlocq and Horacio Zeballos to win their third straight - and deciding point - in their semi-final against Argentina. The final score in the doubles match was 6:3, 6:4, 6:2. The win means that the defending champions will face either Canada or Serbia in the Davis Cup final.
Hradílek triumphs at 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships
Slalom kayaker Vavřinec Hradílek was crowned World Champion in Prague on Saturday, winning gold in the K1 event at the 2013 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. Fellow Czech Jiří Prskavec came in second, winning silver – an exhilarating finish for the Czechs. Hradílek completed the course with a time of 95.9 seconds. Poland’s Mateusz Polaczyk, was third.
Weather
Contrary to earlier forecasts, Prague enjoyed mild and sunny weather on Saturday with daytime highs of around 20 degrees Celsius. Cloudy conditions with rainfall are still forecast for Sunday.
