Daily news summary

Zeman pledges to vote for own Citizens’ Rights Party in elections

Czech President Miloš Zeman has pledged to vote for the Citizens’ Rights Party, of which he is honorary chairman, in general elections in the autumn. Speaking at a party conference on Saturday, the head of state urged members of the party – formerly the Citizens’ Rights Party-Zemanites – not to squabble over places on its candidate lists, as happened before the last elections in 2013, when they got just 1.5 percent of the vote. Mr. Zeman told conference delegates that the grouping didn’t have a chance of victory but did have a chance of success. ry but did have a chance of success.

Stropnický to sign mutual air defence treaty with Slovakia next week

The Czech minister of defence, Martin Stropnický, is set to sign a treaty on mutual air defence with Slovakia in Bratislava on Wednesday, a Czech Ministry of Defence spokesperson said. According to previous reports the accord will come into effect in the summer. Under the treaty, which was approved by the Czech government last month, pilots from both states will be able to take military action over the territory of the other if a plane is hijacked by terrorists intent on carrying out an attack.

Bird flu confirmed in swan at Liberec zoo

Bird flu has been confirmed in a dead swan at the zoo in Liberec, north Bohemia, a spokesperson for the State Veterinary Administration told reporters. Eight other birds that were in close proximity to the swan were put down on Friday. The case is the third recorded outbreak of avian influenza in the Liberec Region and the 27th in the country in the current wave of the disease.

Czechs tied 1:1 with Spain in Fed Cup

The Czech Republic are tied 1:1 with Spain in the first round of tennis’s Fed Cup in Ostrava. Barbora Strýcová was beaten 0-6 6-3 1-6 by Garbine Muguruza in the opening singles rubber in Ostrava on Saturday afternoon. However, world number three Karolína Plíšková drew the hosts level after beating Lara Arruabarrena 6-4 7-5. The Czechs have dominated the Fed Cup in recent years and lifted the title in November for the third time in a row and the fifth time in six years.

Sáblíková again crowned world champion in South Korea

The Czech speed skater Martina Sáblíková has again been crowned world champion. The 29-year-old secured the title after winning the 5km event at the World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, maintaining a 10-year unbeaten record at that distance in the competition. Sáblíková, also a triple Olympic champion, now has 17 world titles to her name.

Weather forecast

It should be cloudy with some sunny spells in the Czech Republic on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 2 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs are then set to climb to 5 or 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the week.