Czech news in brief for August 5: Tuesday's top headlines

Bodyguards for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico intervened immediately after the first shot was fired during last year’s assassination attempt, they testified Tuesday at the trial of suspect Juraj Cintula. Despite their response, several more shots followed, injuring Fico in the abdomen, hip, arm, and foot. A bodyguard briefly handcuffed a police officer by mistake. Cintula, who fired five shots, claims he didn’t intend to kill Fico. The trial is set to continue in September.

Read more about 2024's assassination attempt here.

Czech Railways will begin high-speed Pendolino service between Prague and České Budějovice at the end of August, cutting travel time to just over 1.5 hours. The train will become the fastest ever operated by a Czech company on domestic tracks, reaching over 160 kilometers per hour on upgraded lines. The service enhances access to popular destinations like Český Krumlov and Tábor. Officials hint at even faster future travel following successful 200 kilometers per hour tests last year.

What can you see and where can you go with the train? Find out here.

Chateau Valtice winemakers harvested the season’s first grapes Tuesday, marking the start of burčák production. Around one ton of the early Augustovskij variety was picked near Dolní Dunajovice, with the first batch of the young wine to go on sale Friday at CZK 100 per liter. Cooler, wetter July weather has delayed the ripening of other varieties, including Irsai Oliver, which is expected next week. Only drinks made from Czech grapes may be labeled as burčák in Czechia, legally sold from Aug. 1 to Nov. 30..

When is burčák expected to arrive in Prague? Read more here.

A software error in O2’s central network caused a three-hour mobile service outage Monday, affecting about a third of its 5 million customers, the Czech operator said Tuesday. As an apology, O2 is offering all customers a 300-crown voucher for phones or accessories, valid until Aug. 17. The company pledged to work with suppliers on preventive measures to avoid similar disruptions in the future.

Customers can find a voucher with a discount code worth CZK 300 in the Moje O2 application. The code if valid until Aug. 17, 2025.

The EU recently announced it will begin rolling out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) on Oct. 12, replacing manual passport stamping with biometric checks for non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area, including Czechia. The six-month phased launch introduces fingerprint and facial scans at external borders like Prague Airport. The system aims to modernize border control, reduce overstays, and improve security while complying with EU data protection standards.

What do you need to know before you travel? Read the full story here.

More than 10,000 European hotels have joined a class action lawsuit against Booking.com, seeking compensation for price restrictions they say violated competition rules, DPA reports. The Czech and German hotel associations are among the plaintiffs. The lawsuit follows an EU court ruling against “best price” clauses that blocked hotels from offering cheaper rates elsewhere. The case will be heard in the Netherlands, where Booking.com is based.

What implications does this have for platform users? Find out here.

This summer’s weather has been unpredictable, swinging between scorching heat and sudden downpours. Cooler temperatures will continue across Czechia early this week, but summer is set to return by Thursday, with weekend highs climbing above 30°C, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Sunshine and dry conditions are expected to persist into next week, marking a return to typical August weather after an unusually cool and rainy spell.

What’s behind the hot, wet Czech summer? Read the full story here.

The Czech Republic ranks 19th out of 27 EU countries in innovation, the European Commission said in its annual report. Despite strong digital skills and growing tech exports, the country lags in private investment, research collaboration, and higher education levels. Innovation performance declined nearly 10 percentage points year-on-year, the largest drop in the bloc. Experts say better funding and academic-business ties are key to improvement.

See the full ranking here.

Czech driving license tests will add 24 new video-based questions focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety in mid-September, officials said Monday. The interactive clips simulate real traffic hazards using drone footage and dynamic sequences. The Ministry of Transport aims to better prepare new drivers through modernized exams. Around 100,000 applicants take driving tests annually, with updates to the system continuing since 2022.

Take a sample video test here.

A rare maneless zebra was born Sunday at Dvůr Králové Zoo to 15-year-old Klea. Native to Uganda, the maneless zebra is the most endangered form of steppe zebra. With just a few hundred left in the wild, Dvůr Králové hosts the world’s largest captive group. The zoo, together with Liberec Zoo, also supports efforts to protect the species in Uganda, officials said Monday.