Daily news summary
Czech Republic considers boosting relations with Portuguese speaking countries
The Czech Republic could seek to join the grouping of Portuguese speaking countries, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, the agency ČTK reported Friday. The move, which would give Prague links to countries where it does not have a diplomatic presence, will be discussed at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. At the moment the Czech Republic has embassies in Portugal and Brazil. Portuguese, however, it the third most important language in sub-Saharan Africa.
Some problematic EIA projects could be given fast track assessments says minister
Around 10-15 Czech construction projects could be given a fast track procedure to help them get started earlier in the face of European Commission misgivings about past Environment Impact Assessments, environment minister Richard Brabec. The problem of dozens of projects for which Brussels wants new assessments to be carried out to replace some undertaken up to two decades ago was addressed at a ministerial EU meeting Friday. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka warned in February that the Czech Republic could lose out on up to 90 billion crowns in funding if the problematic projects are delayed for a long time.
Czech PM to visit Munich Agreement site
Czech prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka will become the first Czech leader ever to visit the site where the Munich Agreement dividing up Czechoslovakia was signed on September 30, 1938, the ČTK agency reported Saturday citing the web server hlidaci pes. It will be the first time a Czech leaer has visited the site. Sobotka will visit the building, now an arts academy, together with Bavarian president Horst Seehofer during a trip to Munich on March 10 and 11. A plaque recalling the events when leaders of Germany, Britain, France, and Italy signed the agreement allowed Nazi Germany to take the Sudetenland, was erected on the building in February. The talks in Munich will focus on better rail transport links and research cooperation.
Sika deer spreading to new parts of country:report
The population of Sika deer or Japanese deer are expanding their population and territory in a way which is putting the native deer population at risk, the daily Lidové Noviny reports on Saturday. The population of the deer, introduced 125 years ago, is rising by around 400 a year and is now pushing into Moravia and the Šumava National Park. The Sika deer has previously been well established in Western Bohemia. It is reckoned to be more adaptable than the native deer but also does more damage to woodland because it feeds on younger plants and trees.
Former escapee bald ibises on show again at Prague zoo
Some of the bald ibises which escaped from Prague zoo this week will go on show at a replacement aviary on Saturday. A 10th bird was recaptured late on Friday when it returned to the grounds of the zoo. Eighteen birds escaped on Tuesday when snow damaged their cage, sparking a hunt and social media campaign in which thousands have taken part. The zoo has publicized the fact that the birds are gain on show with a slogan “Visit our Celebrities.”
Czechs take 2:1 lead in Davis Cup against Germany
In tennis, the Czech Republic has taken a 2:1 lead against Germany following the doubles on Saturday. Tomáš Berdych and Radek Štěpánek beat Phillip Petzschner and Phillip Kohlschreiber 7:6, 7:5, 6:4. The reverse singles will be played on Sunday with the Czech needing one win for victory.
Roman Koudelka wins World Cup event at Wisla
Czech ski high jumper Roman Koudelka has won the World Cup event in Poland’s Wisla, beating his nearest rival, Norwegian Kenneth Gangnes. The win is the fifth triumph in the Czech’s career. Koudelka is now placed 10th in the overall World Cup ski jump rankings this season with 585 points but is way off the World Cup series leader.
