Daily news summary
Interior Minister ready to approve police merger after National Security Council meeting
Interior Minister Milan Chovanec wants to approve the plan to merge two of the country’s main crime fighting units, the Unit for Uncovering Organised Crime and the anti-corruption unit, into one large body after the meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday. Speaking at a debate on Czech Television on Sunday, he said he saw no reason why he should wait with the police reform. The planned reform sparked a dispute, which some members of the coalition have called the most serious crisis to date. On Friday, the head of the organised crime unit, Robert Šlachta, resigned in protest over the merger. In reaction to the statement from the Interior Minister, Finance Minister Andrej Babiš said that if Mr Chovanec signs the reform, the ANO Party will demand his resignation.
Finance Minister to push direct air link between Vietnam and Czech Republic
Finance Minister and chairman of the ANO Party Andrej Babiš will push to establish a direct air link between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. He made the statement ahead of a conference on electronic cash registers in the Vietnamese SAPA market in Prague. The aim of the conference is to launch cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Finance Administration and the country’s Vietnamese community.
Industry and Trade Minister Mládek: part of state loan to OKD might not be repaid
Industry and Trade Minister Jan Mládek has conceded that part of the one billion crown loan that the state is considering lending the bankrupt coal mining company OKD might not be repaid. He made the statement in a debate on TV Prima on Sunday. Mr Mládek said the money should be used primarily to pay wages to employees and to finance requalification courses, adding that in such case the state should undergo the risk. OKD declared bankruptcy at the beginning of May, following a long decline due in large part to plummeting coal prices. The right-wing opposition is against the state providing assistance to the private company.
Prague Museum Night attracted thousands of visitors
The 13th annual Prague Museum Night attracted thousands of visitors on Saturday. This year, 82 institutions, including galleries, museums and other cultural heritage sites, opened their door to the public until the late night hours. Among the institutions that joined the event this year for the first time was the Czech Radio and Karolinum, the headquarters of Charles University. In the previous weeks, the event took place in other Czech cities and towns.
Average temperatures expected in next four weeks
Temperatures in the Czech Republic in the next four weeks should be average for the time of year, that isaround 17 degrees Celsius, according to a regular monthly forecast issued by the Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute. The start of the holidays in July should bring the highest temperatures. Rainfall levels over the next four weeks should also be average with most rain coming in the first week.
Tennis: Karolína Plíšková reaches Nottingham Open finals
Czech tennis player Karolína Plíšková has claimed her spot in the women's final of the WTA tournament in Nottingham, after beating no.4 seed Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 6:2, 6:2 in just 54 minutes. The top-seeded Czech will play for her fifth WTA title on Sunday, facing Alison Riske of the United States. She is also scheduled to play the doubles semifinal with her sister Kristýna.
Andy Murray reunites with coach Ivan Lendl
British tennis player Andy Murray has reunited with his former coach, Czech-born tennis legend Ivan Lendl. The World No. 2 has confirmed that they will start work together again from Monday. Murray worked with Lendl for two years, from 2012 to 2014, and during that time won Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympic gold medal. Since Lendl's departure, Murray has lost three Grand Slam finals.
