Daily news summary
Several hundred people protest against pig farm in Lety
Several hundred people from the Czech Republic and abroad attended a protest gathering at the former Romany internment camp in Lety, south Bohemia, on Saturday, calling for the removal of a pig farm which is located at the site. The protest, which was also attended by Justice Minister Robert Pelikán, was organised by the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement. The Czech Republic has been repeatedly criticised by local and foreign institutions for the pig farm in Lety and the European Parliament urged Czechs to remove the pig farm. The government is still negotiating with the company AGPI, which runs the pig farm in Lety, about its relocation.
Czech foreign minister Zaorálek meets with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel
The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lubomír Zaorálek, met with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel in Prague on Saturday. The German Foreign Minister said after the meeting that it was important for him to get a better understanding of the Czech stance. He added that a key question is what the EU is to do to effectively stop waves of refugees who are heading for Europe from Africa, rather than arguing about the migrant quota. Mr Zaorálek repeated that the Czech Republic was not ready to change its resistance to taking in refugees. Sigmar Gabriel is also scheduled to visit the town of Beroun, a partner town of the German Goslar where he was born.
President Zeman calls meeting at Lány to discuss research and innovation
President Miloš Zeman, the deputy prime minister in charge of science, research and innovation Pavel Bělobrádek, and the president of the Auto Industry Group, Bohdan Wojnar meet at Lány Chateau on Saturday to discuss science, research and industry. Mr Bělobrádek told the Czech News Agency that they will also be discussing developments int he applied research.Lány Chateau. Another issue on their agenda will be the prepared memorandum on the future of Czech automobile industry.
Over two hundred people protest against lifting of coal mining limits
Over two hundred people gathered in the town of Horní Jiřetín in north Bohemia to protest against the lifting of limits on lignite mining in the region. The protesters marched to the edge of the mine, forming a human chain along its border. Several dozen activists have also broken into the premises of the Bílina mine. According to one of the organizers, Michal Černík, the protest aims is to highlight the problems connected with climate change. Horní Jiřetín is a village that could be destroyed if limits on mining in the area are eased or lifted completely.
Around 14,000 people attended Sting concert in Prague
Around 14,000 people attended the concert of the UK musician Sting in Prague on Friday night. The former frontman of the rock band Police was the main star of Prague’s Metronome festival, which kicked off at the Výstaviště fair grounds on Friday. Sting performed with his three-member band, including guitarist Dominic Miller, his son Rufus and drummer Josh Frees. The main headliner on Saturday will be the British rock band Kasabian.
Tennis: Kvitová through to Birmingham final after Šafářová pulls out
Czech tennis player Petra Kvitová has she reached the Aegon Classic final in Birmingham after her compatriot Lucie Šafářová retired from their semi-final with a leg injury. The two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitová, playing in just her second tournament of the year, was 6-1 1-0 up when Šafářová pulled out of the match. Kvitová will face the winner of the Saturday's second semi-final between Garbine Muguruza and Ashleigh Barty.
Weather
Sunday is expected to be partly cloudy, with occasional rain showers and storms and daytime temperatures ranging between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.
