News

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg has criticised Russian opposition to the US missile shield with a planned radar base in the Czech Republic: speaking on public broadcaster Czech TV on Sunday Mr Schwarzenberg suggested Moscow was trying to recoup Soviet-era influence, what he described as “part of a political game about influence in Europe”. From the start Moscow has been highly critical of US plans to deploy a radar base to the Czech Republic and ten interceptor missiles to Poland. Washington has stressed its system is needed to counter possible threats from so-called “rogue” states. Mr Schwarzenberg said on Sunday that Prague would probably not sign agreements with the US before a NATO summit in April. He stressed, in his view, that Prague would get the best possible deal with the US from the outgoing administration.

Singer Tereza Kerndlová will represent the Czech Republic at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Belgrade. Kerndlová, an r ‘n b performer who first made her name with the Czech girl group Black Milk, was the public’s favourite in the national round broadcast on Saturday on public broadcaster Czech TV. The singer beat out competitors such as s L.B.P., Iva Fruhlingová, and hip hop group Gipsy.cz. Last year marked the first time the Czech Republic took part in the Eurovision competition, with viewers sending hard rockers Kabát to Finland. The group, with a particular brand of grinding guitar and vocals, did not make it past the semi-final stage.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomáš Kaberle helped Eastern Conference All-Stars defeat the West in the National Hockey League’s Superskills competition in Atlanta on Saturday. Kaberle won the Most Accurate Shooter category, hitting all four targets in the first round. In doing so he matching the accuracy standard set by defenseman Ray Bourque in 1992 and 1993, equalled by Mark Messier in 1996 and Jeremy Roenick in 2004. In all, Kaberle hit eight of nine targets, making him the league’s top “sharpshooter”.

Sunday will see the All-Star Game between the Eastern and Western Conferences take place and Kaberle but also Czech goalie Tomáš Vokoun are on the roster.

The Czech-American economist Jan Švejnar has said he will give up his US citizenship if he is elected Czech president. He made the statement in an interview for the Saturday edition of Mladá fronta Dnes. The candidate said it was a decision he hadn’t reached easily but one he had arrived at after touring the country and hearing from members of the public. Mr Švejnar, who lives on-and-off in the United States, dismissed any suggestion he was bowing to political pressure: dual-citizenship has been an issue for some lawmakers on the political Left, namely the Communists. Mr Švejnar is the sole challenger to incumbent President Václav Klaus, still widely considered the favourite. The election takes place on February 8.