News

The Czech national squad was defeated by Slovakia in the 2nd round of the World Ice Hockey Championship in Russia on Saturday. The Czechs opened the scoring in the 1st period, but the Slovaks dominated play in the 2nd, scoring two goals. In the 3rd the Czechs managed to pull within one goal but were unable to tie the game. The loss is the second-straight for the Czech team which next faces Canada on Sunday in qualification for the playoff round.

Residents of Visky, a tiny village near the Brdy military zone, are holding a symbolic referendum on a proposed US radar base. The United States have asked the Czech Republic to host a radar installation as part of a broader missile defence shield the US has planned in Europe. Visky has 31 residents eligible to vote: at least two-thirds had voted by noon Saturday. The mayor told the media that locals were against the idea of a radar installation not only in the Brdy area but in the whole Czech Republic.

The referendum, which is not binding, follows a similar vote held in the village of Trokavec, where 71 of 72 voters were against. Negotiations on a possible US radar base in the Czech Republic will continue between Czech and US representatives until later this year.

In related news, meteorologists have issued fire warnings in west Bohemia near Karlovy Vary, and Liberec in north Bohemia as a result of a continuing dry spell. The warnings will be in effect from Saturday to Monday at least. Parts of the Czech Republic have been threatened by drought in recent weeks after a mild winter and spring saw little snow cover and subsequent melting, as well as less rainfall than usual. By comparison the Czech capital, as well as eastern parts of the country, is expected to see rain over the weekend.

Hundreds of supporters in favour of the legalisation of marijuana gathered in Prague on Saturday both at the historic Old Town Square and later at Letna Park overlooking the city. The event included the sale of beer and performances by live bands. The march was held as part of the Global Million Marihuana March which includes a number of cities. It is the tenth time the event has taken place in Prague. During that period, observers say, Czech attitudes towards marijuana have changed; organisers of the march point to 2005 as a key year when even a number of political figures reportedly admitted to having tried the drug. But many experts disagree with legalisation, pointing to potentially harmful effects. According to EU statistics some 22 percent of young Czechs have tried marijuana, a figure that is about ten percent higher than the European Union average.