News
Czech interior minister denounces heightened security threats
The Czech intelligence services say they have no information suggesting the country might be at heightened risk of a terrorist attack. The statements came after ABC news cited US intelligence sources as saying that they had received signals about a possible threat to Glasgow Airport a fortnight ago and that Prague's Ruzyne Airport was also a likely target. Interior Minister Ivan Langer moved to allay fears saying the country's intelligence services were cooperating closely with foreign intelligence services and had no information suggesting the country might be at heightened risk. Security measures at Ruzyne Airport remain unchanged.
Roma family attacked in North Moravia
A Roma family in Vrbno pod Pradedem, North Moravia, was attacked in their home on Saturday, the Czech police have informed. Unknown aggressors threw a Molotov cocktail through an open window into the flat where two adults and three children were dwelling at the time. While nobody was hurt in the attack, the fire caused some material damage. Police are investigating the case. This is not the first attack of its kind on the Roma community in North Moravia and Silesia. Several similar incidents took place between 1996 and 1998, when a member of the neo-Nazi movement was sentenced to two years in jail.
Nicole Vadisova advances to quarterfinals at Wimbledon
Czech 18-year-old tennis star Nicole Vadisova beat French player and last year's winner Amelie Mauresmo Tuesday afternoon at Wimbledon, advancing to the quarterfinals. Vaidisova, seeded 14, broke her opponent's service in the third game of the first set and was leading 4-2 when the game was interrupted by rain. After the break, Mauresmo fought back and was leading 5-3 and serving to win the set, but Vaidisova managed to bring the game in the tie-break and after saving two set points won the first set. The second set went to Mauresmo while the third turned out better for Vadisova who won 6-1. In the quarterfinals Vadisova will face either Ana Ivanic from Serbia or Russian Nadia Petrova.
Five Czech policemen accused of corruption
Five Czech police officers have been accused of accepting bribes and abuse of public authority. The policemen as well as one civilian are suspected of giving preferential treatment to a private road assistance service by leaking information about car crashes and other accidents. The group is said to have been well organized and functioned on a professional level.
Lignite mining limits may not be extended
The Mostecka coal company will not press for the extension of lignite mining limits introduced by the Czechoslovak government in 1991. The company has been trying for several years to expand its mining activities in North Bohemia which was opposed by local inhabitants. Several villages and towns were demolished in the past due to coal mining in the area, including the town of Most which was destroyed in the 1970s. Environmental organisations have welcomed the company's announcement.
South African court ruling on Radovan Krejcir postponed until Friday
A court in Johannesburg will rule on the case of Czech fugitive billionaire Radovan Krejcir this Friday, Czech newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes said. The court was supposed to reach a decision on Tuesday on whether he should be released on bail or extradited to the Czech Republic. Radovan Krejcir is wanted in the Czech Republic for extensive fraud and conspiracy to murder and was arrested in Johannesburg in April when trying to make a secret trip to South Africa.
Arms producer Aero Vodochody close to deal with Nigeria
Aero Vodochody, the biggest Czech arms producer, is close to signing a contract with Nigeria on the renovation of the Nigerian fleet of L-39 Albatros, one of the most successful Czech military aircrafts. According to the daily Hospodarske noviny, this could be a breakthrough deal for the Czech factory as it would be Aero's first foreign contract in ten years. The Czech producer is also concluding a deal with the Indonesian army for the new L-159 planes the factory has been hoping to sell abroad.
Another site picked for anti-missile radar base in Czech Republic
If agreement is reached on siting a US tracking radar on Czech territory the radar could also be positioned near the village of Misov, some 25 km south-east of Plzen in western Bohemia. It is one of three sites selected for this purpose by the Czech government. Villages close to the other two sites have already rejected the radar in local referendums. Czech and American expert teams started official negotiations on the radar earlier this year, and the Czech government has now launched an information campaign about it, hoping to convince the public about the desirability of the project.
Bird reserve in the way of R 35 expressway
The construction of the R35 expressway linking Hradec Kralove in eastern Bohemia with Olomouc in Moravia might be delayed due to a bird reserve near Pardubice. The reserve, founded in 2004 and included in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, is allegedly not large enough to serve its purpose. The European Commission has warned the Czech government to correct this lapse. If the reserve were to be enlarged, it would necessitate changing the planned route of the R 35 expressway and cause a delay of about two years.
Czech Republic's under-20 national football team to play North Korea
After a 0-0 draw on Saturday with the five-time champion Argentina at the under-20 football World Cup in Canada, the Czech national team faces North Korea. The Czech team knows little about its opponents because, like everything else, the football scene in North Korea is isolated and teams participate in few foreign events. However in 2002, the under-20 North Korean team surprised the sports world by winning the Asian Cup. The Czechs hope to score three points in the match that would ensure their advance to the last sixteen.
Weather
The next few days are expected to be overcast with occasional rain showers and storms. Day temperatures should reach no more than 20 degrees Celsius.
