News

Defence Ministry awards contract on radio, GPS installation

The country's Defence Ministry has awarded a contract, worth 28 million crowns, for the installation of radios and GPS equipment in Iveco armoured vehicles to the company MEDTEC-VOP, Defence Ministry spokeswoman Jana Zechmeisterova has told the Czech news agency. The representative said the firm won the deal in an open tender by offering the most advantageous price. The Czech Army was given the Ivecos from the US under a programme in which the US helps equip allied forces. "As the delivery of the goods from the USA lasted almost three years, the installation of the equipment could not be conducted as part of the contract concluded with PRAGA-Export in 2009" Ms Zechmeisterova said. The contract mainly relates to the installation of radios and receivers of the GPS signal. The donated Ivecos are already being used by various units in the Czech Army.

MEP Rouček slams Romney in blog

The Deputy Speaker of the European Parliament, Social Democrat Libor Rouček slammed presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney in a Social Democratic Party blog, writing that the world "did not deserve as its most powerful politician" another "paler version" of George W. Bush. In the blog, Mr Rouček referred to Mitt Romney's recent foreign trip to London, Israel and Poland, slamming the candidate for a number of controversial statements that stirred the political waters. in the past Mr Romney has referred to Poland's neighbor, Russia, as America's number one geopolitical foe. In Mr Rouček's view - the candidate went as far as to damage US interests in the Middle East through comments pertaining to the Palestinians and Israel, referring to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Polls in the US suggest that Mr Romney continues to trail incumbent Barack Obama, if only just.

Cardinal Tomášek remembered

Several dozen people took part in a special mass on Saturday at Prague's St Vitus cathedral marking 20 years since the death of Cardinal František Tomášek. The mass was led by Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka. The archbishop recalled Tomášek was persecuted by the former Communist regime, spending three years at a labour camp at the monastery in želiv before he was released in 1954. The cardinal had displayed unwavering strength and optimism despite living most of his life under the former regime, Archbishop Duka said.

Romanies refuse to leave Ostrava homes

Some 150 Czech Romanies to be evicted over poor technical and sanitary conditions from the Prednadrazi slum in Ostrava would not leave by a set deadline, Jan Bandy, a member of the local self-rule body created by the tenants, told the Czech news agency on Saturday. The relocation was ordered by the planning and building authority on the grounds that the buildings were no longer inhabitable. Mr Bandy said the locals had instead decided implement minor repairs; Bandy said there were still some 25 families or 180 people in the houses, many of them children. Indian-born activist Kumar Vishwanathan, from the civic group Co-Existence - helping the residents - confirmed that they had opted to repair the old homes gradually.

Football scores

Ostrava drew 2:2 with Prague's Slavia in the second-round of league matches, while Liberec defeated Dukla Prague by a score of 3:2. Šural got the hat-trick, scoring all three goals for Liberec, last year's league champions.

Olympic tennis: Hlaváčková and Hradecká lose to Williams sisters in doubles final

Czech doubles partners Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká lost in straight sets against the Venus and Serena Williams in the gold medal match on Sunday. The final score was 6:4, 6:4. The Czechs received congratulations on their silver finish from Czech President Václav Klaus.

Strong storms could hit parts of country on Sunday

Meteorologists are warning that strong storms could hit parts of the country later on Sunday, with hail in places. The region of South Bohemia was hit by storms on Saturday and has yet to calculate the damage, for example, to local orchards.

Weather

Stormy conditions are expected in places; daytime temperatures are likely to range between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius.