Daily news summary

PM says head of domestic espionage service will be replaced when replacement found

The head of the Czech domestic spying and counter terrorism service, BIS, will only be replaced when a replacement has been selected by the government, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has said. Minister of Interior Milan Chovanec told reporters on Monday that Jiří Lang had made a request to leave the service and post he has held for the last 13 years. The timing when he will quit the post was not specified. The daily Mladá Fronta Dnes suggested that Lang will in the near future head the National Security Authority which is responsible for making sure that measures are in place to guarantee the safe operating of government and other state agencies.

Ali Fayad, man at centre of extradition row with US,released from prison

Ali Fayad, the Lebanese man who was released to his homeland after the Czech minister of justice refused an extradition request for him from the United States,has been released from prison in Beirut, according to Czech Radio. The broadcaster cited his lawyer Vladimír Řičíu, who was unable to give further details. Fayad’s release in February, along with another man, sparked protests from Washington. US authorities had wanted to question him in connection with an alleged drugs for arms deal involving FARC guerrillas in Colombia.

Czech Gripens could be armed with air-to-air missiles for Iceland mission

Czech Gripen fighter jets which will in the Autumn patrol the skies above Iceland could for the first time be armed with air to air missiles, according to Minister of Defense Martin Stropnický. The Czech planes will be on duty in Icelandic airspace for the third time. The area is often subject to Russian incursions to test NATO air security and preparedness.

Moravian flags fly from 1230 town halls

Moravian flags were displayed on Tuesday from the town halls of 1230 local councils in the region to mark the arrival of saints Cyril and Methodius in Grand Moravia in 863. The total is around 100 more than took part in the initiative last year. The initiative was launched seven years ago. There are around 1900 councils in Moravia, meaning that most took part. Cyril and Methodius are credited with bringing Christianity to the region.

Tomáš Berdych reaches Wimbledon quarter finals after beating Czech Jiří Veselý

In tennis, Tomáš Berdych has reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon after beating fellow Czech Jiří Veselý in an epic encounter. The 10th seed won the match 4:6, 6:3, 7:6, 6:7, 6:3. The match was interrupted on Monday evening for bad light after Veselý saved five match balls to win the set and draw level at two sets all. The match resumed on Tuesday.

Tomáš Berdych absent from initial Davis Cup squad to face France

Tomáš Berdych is missing for the initial Czech nominations for the Davis Cup quarterfinal match against France to be played between July 15 and 17. The squad named by captain Jaroslav Navrátil is composed of Jiří Veselý, Lukáš Rosol, Adam Pavlásek, and Radek Štěpánek. Berdych has said he will address whether he plays or not in the tie being hosted by the Czech Republic after the conclusion of his Wimbledon competition.

Lucie Šafářová bows out of Wimbledon singles

Lucie Šafářová, the last Czech in the Wimbledon ladies singles, lost in the fourth round against Jaroslava Shvedova. Šafářová, seeded 18th in the tournament, succumbed in straight sets 6:2, 6:4 and had little to reply to the aggressive hard hitting game of her Kazakh opponent. It is Šafářová’s fourth loss in a row to Shvedova.