News of Radio Prague
Foreign Minister Svoboda meets Sharon in Jerusalem
The Czech foreign minister, Cyril Svoboda, has held talks in Jerusalem with the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, and other senior Israeli officials. Mr Svoboda said on Sunday the two countries had longstanding good relations. The foreign minister did not meet representatives of the Palestinian Authority; he is planning to visit the territory in August.
Czech embassy in Baghdad reopened
Mr Svoboda's trip to Israel came a day after he reopened the Czech embassy in Baghdad. Martin Klepetko, who is to be appointed Czech ambassador to Baghdad, said the embassy would concentrate on helping Czech companies win contracts to take part in the reconstruction of Iraq. Mr Svoboda also visited the Czech military field hospital based in the southern city of Basra, where he thanked representatives of the unit for the work they were doing.
Prime Minister Spidla attends international centre-left conference in London
The Czech prime minister, Vladimir Spidla, is in London for a conference on Progressive Governance hosted by his British counterpart, Tony Blair. The conference is being attended by 14 centre-left heads of state and government from around the world. From London Mr Spidla is due to fly to the United States, where he will meet President George Bush and other senior officials.
Two members of Czech canoeing team die in car crash
Two members of the Czech national canoeing team died on Sunday after being involved in a car crash near the central Bohemian town of Cisovice. Premysl Vlk died at the scene of the accident, while Daniel Vladar died a few hours later at Prague's Motol hospital.
Awards ceremony closes Karlovy Vary festival
The 38th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival closed with an awards ceremony on Saturday night at which the Italian film Facing Window took the main Crystal Globe award for best film. The American actor Morgan Freeman was given an award for services to world cinema.
Czech number one Novak wins 550,000 EUR Swiss Open
The Czech number one tennis player, Jiri Novak, has beaten Wimbledon champion Roger Federer to take the Swiss Open tournament for the second time in three years. Mr Novak won Sunday's final in Gstaad 5-7 6-3 6-3 1-6 6-3 and described himself afterwards as one of the happiest people in the world. His prize money is 550,000 Euros.
Weather
Monday is expected to be sunny in many parts of the country, with a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius.
