Daily news summary

Stropnický: Mogherini statement on Iran nuclear treaty should have mentioned missile development

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Prague will continue to back an international nuclear agreement with Iran, despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will pull out of the deal. The Czech Foreign Minister, Martin Stropnický, says the country does not wish to split from the European Union’s regretful position on Mr. Trump’s move.

Mr. Stropnický said, however, that a statement on the matter from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini should have specified that Tehran was developing ballistic missiles. He said it was not possible to completely overlook the arguments of the US and Israel, who contend that Iran has breached the treaty.

The deal agreed under previous US president Barack Obama curbed Iran’s nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions that had been imposed by the United Nations, the US and the EU.

ANO’s Brabec: Movement possible on ministries under nascent coalition deal

ANO deputy leader Richard Brabec has not ruled out some changes concerning ministries being made within talks with the Social Democrats on forming a coalition government. His comment came in response to reports that the Social Democrats want the defence portfolio instead of agriculture. However, Mr. Brabec said that would be a decision for ANO chief Andrej Babiš and would need to be approved by party bodies.

ANO and the Social Democrats have reached a deal on the text of a coalition agreement and Mr. Babiš has said talks could be wrapped up by Friday.

Under the agreement taking shape, the two parties would be supported by the Communists in crucial votes in the lower house. The latter grouping have never been that involved in government since 1989.

Hamáček demands apology from Foldyna over Night Wolves spats

The chairman of the Social Democrats, Jan Hamáček, has called on deputy leader Jaroslav Foldyna to apologise for his behaviour at a gathering of Russia’s Night Wolves bike gang in Prague on Monday. At the event Mr. Foldyna got into altercations with protesters against the nationalist bikers, who have been linked to President Vladimir Putin.

However, the Social Democrats deputy chairman has declined to say sorry for his actions. Mr. Foldyna released a video – recorded by weights in a gym – refusing to apologise and describing himself as a patriot.

Mikolas Josef reaches final of Eurovision

The Czech Republic’s Mikolas Josef has progressed to Saturday’s final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. Josef, with the song Lie to Me, was one of nine entrants to make it out of the first semi-final of the Europe-wide competition on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old’s participation in Eurovision had been threatened after he sustained a spinal injury in a fall during rehearsals last week. He is only the second Czech to reach the final of the competition.

Sparta’s Lafata set for retirement after scoring nearly 200 league goals

The captain of Sparta Prague football club, David Lafata, has announced that he is retiring at the end of this season, the club said in a statement on its website. The striker, who is 36, is currently the top scorer in the Czech top flight with 198 goals.

Lafata said he would like to say goodbye to fans at Sparta’s last home game of the season against Olomouc on May 19. The veteran player picked up 41 caps for the Czech national team, finding the net nine times.

Czechs beat Swiss 5:4 after penalties at ice hockey worlds

The Czech Republic beat Switzerland in their third game at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Denmark on Tuesday evening. A dramatic match was tied at 4:4 at the end of the third period but the Czechs managed to win 5:4 after penalties with the decisive goal coming from Michal Řepík.

The result leaves the Czech Republic fourth in Group A at the worlds with four points. They had previously beaten Slovakia in overtime and lost to Sweden.

This April Prague’s second warmest in almost 250 years

This year’s April was the second warmest in Prague since 1775, when a weather station at the city centre Clementinum first began keeping records. The average temperature in the fourth month of the year was 15.6 degrees Celsius. This was over 6 degrees Celsius warmer than the long-term average for April.

The jump in average temperature from March to April was 11.7 degrees Celsius. That was the third highest change between months since 1775.

Weather forecast

Thursday should see some clear spells but also the chance of rain and storms in the Czech Republic. Daytime highs are expected to reach up to 24 degrees Celsius. More wet weather is likely for much of the following week.