Czech news in brief for August 29: Friday's top headlines

State-owned Czech Railways is again facing prosecution over the 2021 Ještěd cable car accident, which killed a conductor, the company confirmed Friday. The legal entity is one of four current defendants, alongside three individuals who face three to eight years for general endangerment due to negligence. Czech Railways disputes the charges and has filed a complaint. The deputy public prosecutor in Liberec said the investigation could take several months to complete.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský will push for tighter restrictions on Russian diplomats’ movement in the Schengen Area at Saturday’s EU foreign ministers meeting, he said today. Discussions will also cover the Middle East. The EU’s upcoming 19th sanctions package against Russia could target its shadow fleet used to bypass existing sanctions, especially in oil exports. Lipavský emphasized that sanctions are effective, citing serious challenges in the Russian economy.

The Regional Court in Brno on Friday upheld a CZK 1 million fine imposed on the Ministry of Regional Development for bypassing tender rules in a contract to digitalize construction procedures. The Office for the Protection of Competition levied the penalty in 2024, saying the ministry improperly used a negotiated procedure without publication. The ministry, which already paid the fine, may still file a cassation complaint with the Supreme Administrative Court.

A new memorial honoring Czechoslovak RAF pilots of World War II was unveiled in Třebenice near the town of Litoměřice in Ústí nad Labem. The centerpiece is a 17.5-tonne stone massif with a British fighter propeller, surrounded by stones telling nearly three dozen personal stories. “We did it from the heart and out of love,” said creator Tomáš Rotbauer, who fulfilled a years-long dream with help from friend Tomáš David. One stone is dedicated to all victims.

Thousands more Czechs abroad applied at the last minute to vote by mail in October’s parliamentary elections, the Foreign Ministry said today. That comes on top of 24,206 already registered. Officials expect to release updated figures next week, though the final tally will not be known until the Oct. 1 deadline for in-person applications. Special voter lists at embassies closed Sunday, with registrations accepted by post and data mailboxes.

Parts of east Moravia and Silesia recorded an exceptionally warm night Thursday-Friday, with some areas not cooling below 24 degrees Celsius, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported. The warmest was Ropice near Třinec at 24.8 degrees. Meteorologists attributed the tropical night to warm air and wind. A cold front lowered temperatures in Bohemia, but Moravia and Silesia remain about five degrees warmer, with elevated fire risks due to dry, windy weather. Today will be slightly cooler, but still very warm, according to the ČHMÚ.

A Smartwings flight from Corfu to Brno was diverted to Preveza, Greece, Thursday, after the crew shut down one engine as a precaution, spokeswoman Vladimíra Dufková said. The Boeing with 189 passengers and six crew landed safely. Social media reports of an engine fire were denied; the issue was engine “pumping,” possibly from a bird strike. A replacement plane will transport passengers to Brno later the same day.

Slavia Prague will face European giants Barcelona, Arsenal and Inter Milan in the Champions League group stage, the draw revealed Thursday. The Czech champions also anticipate a reunion with goalkeeper Antonín Kinský at Tottenham. Coach Jindřich Trpišovský said the draw offers valuable experience for players and fans against “the absolute elite.” Captain Tomáš Holeš added the team expects tough battles but will aim to collect points and fight for advancement.

 President Petr Pavel will pay a working visit to Slovenia on Sept. 1–2 to attend the 20th Bled Strategic Forum, the Presidential Office announced Friday. Pavel will be a main speaker in a presidential panel alongside leaders from Slovenia, Estonia and Montenegro. He will also meet Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar and EU officials, focusing on EU functioning, bilateral relations and foreign policy issues.

Karolína Muchová battled past Sorana Cirstea 7:6, 6:7, 6:4 in a nearly three-hour second-round clash at the U.S. Open on Thursday. The Czech semifinalist of the past two years secured a place among the top 32 despite fatigue and lingering wrist issues. She converted her third match point to seal victory. Muchová, who called the match “physically and mentally demanding,” will next face compatriot Linda Nosková.