Daily news summary
Catholic primate to mark centenary of death of Franz Ferdinand with mass at Czech castle where archduke lived
The head of the Czech Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Dominik Duka, is set to serve a requiem mass on Saturday evening for Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination exactly 100 years ago sparked World War I. The mass will take place in the courtyard of Konopiště Castle – where Franz Ferdinand lived – and will be attended by the Czech culture minister, Daniel Herman, and the Austrian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff. Exhibitions and other events are also being held in various parts of the country to mark the centenary.
Cyclist Kreuziger could face disciplinary proceedings over abnormalities in biological passport
Leading Czech cyclist Roman Kreuziger could face disciplinary proceedings from the sport’s international governing body Union Cycliste Internationale over abnormalities found in his biological passport for 2011 and 2012. Kreuziger, who is 28, has issued a statement denying having taken any banned substances. His team Tinkoff-Saxo say they will not enter him in the imminent Tour de France or any other races until the matter has been resolved.
Former police chief Lessy demands compensation over prosecution
Former national police chief Petr Lessy is demanding compensation of CZK 1.2 million and a formal apology from the state for being prosecuted in 2012. He was removed as police president by the then minister of the interior after being charged with slander and abuse of office before a court threw out the prosecution last year. Mr. Lessy told Czech Radio on Saturday that the amount he was demanding corresponded to his legal fees and lost income.
Warning of storms in some regions issued for Sunday
Forecasters say heavy storms are likely to hit the eastern part of the Czech Republic on Sunday. The Czech Hydro Meteorological-Institute on Saturday warned that the Pardubice, the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, Moravia and Silesia regions would see heavy rain, hail and strong winds, with flooding possible in some places. The storms are expected to hit between 9 PM Sunday and 3 AM Monday.
July to be relatively cool and wet, say forecasters
Temperatures in the Czech Republic in July should be on the cooler side and are unlikely to rise above 30 degrees Celsius, according to a monthly forecast issued by the Czech Hydro Meteorological-Institute. Rainfall is expected to be higher than average for the time of year, particularly in the next week.
Kvitová edges Venus Williams in epic Wimbledon battle
The Czech women’s tennis number one Petra Kvitová came from behind to beat five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams 5-7 7-6 7-5 in an fiercely-contested third-round match on Friday. Kvitová, who is 24, said it was perhaps her best performance at Wimbledon since she won the tournament in 2011. The Czech's half of the draw is considered favourable and to give her a chance of going far at the All England Club.
After Wimbledon exit Berdych questions decision to continue despite dusk
After a third-round defeat at Wimbledon on Friday, Czech men’s number one Tomáš Berdych questioned the umpire’s decision to continue the match despite the fact that it was getting dark. The contest, in which Berdych was beaten 6-7 4-6 6-7 by Marian Cilic of Croatia, ended at 21:38, the latest finish ever to a match at the All England Club not to take place on Centre Court. Berdych, who reached the final at Wimbledon in 2010, praised Cilic’s performance.
Hübschman leaves Shahktar Donetsk after successful 10-year stint
Czech international soccer player Tomáš Hübschman has left Shahktar Donetsk after 10 years. The defensive midfielder, who is 32, was not offered a new contract by the Ukrainian club and is reported to be set to join Czech side Jablonec. Hübschman – who has 58 international caps – won seven Ukrainian league titles and one UEFA Cup with Shahktar.
