Czech news in brief for August 25: Monday's top headlines

Czech writer Zdena Salivarová, co-founder of the exile publishing house Sixty-Eight Publishers, has died in Canada at 91, Czech diplomat Šárka Ponroy Vamberová said Tuesday. Born in Prague in 1933, Salivarová fled communist Czechoslovakia with her husband, writer Josef Škvorecký, in 1969. In Toronto, the couple established the publishing house that issued 230 works by banned authors. Salivarová also wrote novels, including Honzlova (1972) and Nebe, peklo, ráj (1976).

The Agrofert conglomerate does not yet know which subsidies it needs to return after former Prime Minister and company founder Andrej Babiš’s conflict-of-interest legal case, Babiš political associate Josef Mráz said this afternoon. The Agriculture Ministry questions payments between 2017 and 2021, when Agrofert received up to CZK 4.5 billion. Mráz said the firm would fight in court. Prosecutors allege that in 2007–08, Babiš illegally transferred ownership of the company from multi-billion-crown Agrofert to family members. 

Czech ombudsman Stanislav Křeček has said that artificial intelligence and its impact on human rights will be a key issue for his office, stressing that people, not AI, must answer to the public. His office already uses AI, though officials said no complaints tied directly to the technology have surfaced. Deputy Vaclav Rendl noted AI’s influence may not always be visible but warned it will affect all areas of life, requiring oversight as part of the national rights agenda.

The Prague National Museum has opened a new exhibition showcasing the 3.2 million-year-old fossils Lucy and Selam, among the oldest and most valuable human ancestor specimens. Lucy, discovered in 1974, and Selam, a child fossil found in 2000, highlight early human development. The museum's director called the display “a historic moment.” The fossils are featured in the People and their Ancestors exhibition, which explores life among prehistoric hunters and gatherers, running through Oct. 23.

About 24,206 Czech expatriates have registered to vote at diplomatic missions for the October general election, the Foreign Ministry reported Monday, roughly half the expected number. Authorities are still reviewing applications submitted over the weekend, including from countries in different time zones. Registration closed Sunday at 4 p.m. Karel Havlíček of the opposition ANO party criticized the law as a political maneuver, while analyst Milan Školník predicted postal voting interest will rise as the election approaches.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts a final summer week of warmth, with tropical conditions until Thursday before a cold front brings showers and cooler winds. After frosty mornings last weekend, this week begins mild, peaking at 27 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and 30 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Thursday will reach 32 degrees Celsius before storms arrive, the forecasters say. By the weekend, temperatures drop below 25 degrees Celsius, closing August with significantly cooler, windier conditions across Czechia after days of sunshine and summer heat.

Residents of Martinice in Kroměřížsko and neighbouring villages partially blocked a busy road to Zlín today, protesting the delay in opening the nearly finished D49 motorway section. Locals argue that the lack of a functional bypass forces 13,000 cars daily through the village, creating dangerous traffic. The problem stems from a lost building permit after legal action by Děti Země. Mayor Pavel Fiurášek described the situation as “crazy,” stressing the motorway is 90 percent complete but still unusable.

Sparta Praha beat Dukla 3:2 at Letná in the sixth round of the league, maintaining their unbeaten record and reclaiming first place, two points ahead of Slavia. Emmanuel Uchenna opened the scoring and later netted the decisive goal after Dukla had equalised twice through Namora Cissé and Zlatan Šehovič. Substitute Jan Kuchta also scored. Sparta have now won nine straight matches, remain strong in Europe’s Conference League, and continue their domestic dominance, while Dukla sit eleventh in the table.

Emil the elk, whose wanderings across Czechia and Slovakia captivated the public, has been spotted near Vienna after earlier sightings in Lower Austria. Austrian police urged people not to chase the animal, warning of risks to both humans and the elk, which can weigh over half a ton. Originating likely from Poland, Emil travelled through Central Europe attracting attention. Czech nature authorities remind photographers and the public to respect the wild animal, which may panic if disturbed.

Czech ambassadors abroad gathered today at Černín Palace in Prague for their annual conference. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and Prime Minister Petr Fiala opened the meeting, focusing on the war in Ukraine, Middle East instability, European security, and economic diplomacy. Improving consular services and strategic communication are also on the agenda. The ambassadors will meet President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle on Tuesday, and later consult with senators, strengthening ties between diplomacy, politics, and Czech institutions.