Czech news in brief for August 8: Friday's top headlines

Czech unemployment rose to 4.4 percent in July from 4.2 percent in June, the Labor Office said Friday. Analysts cited seasonal hiring slowdowns, new school graduates entering the labor market, and weak industrial performance. Vacancies fell to 95,553, down about 3,000 from June. Year-on-year, the jobless rate is 0.6 points higher, reflecting industry struggles despite overall economic growth, though unemployment remains among the lowest in Europe.

Tropical temperatures will return to the Czech Republic this weekend after more than two weeks of cooler, wetter weather, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said Friday. Highs will reach 31 degrees Celsius in South Moravia on Friday and spread nationwide Saturday, with some areas hitting 35 degrees Celsius Sunday before a cold front arrives. Rain will be scarce, and officials urge precautions against heat stress and dehydration.

The Czech Health Ministry has warned travelers of higher risks of mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile, dengue and chikungunya, in parts of France and Italy. Officials advise using repellents and protective clothing. Romania is also facing a measles epidemic, with over 35,000 cases since 2023. Most Czechs are vaccinated, but travelers should check immunization before visiting. Cases of these exotic fevers have been recorded in the Czech Republic this year.

American Airlines will launch seasonal Philadelphia–Prague and Philadelphia–Budapest flights in summer 2026, restoring routes cut during the pandemic. The carrier aims to tap into demand from Danube River cruise passengers, many of whom fly into one city and out of the other. The move is part of a broader European expansion that includes new Dallas–Athens and year-round Miami–Milan service, reflecting strong transatlantic demand despite weaker U.S. domestic travel.

With two months until the election, Czech politicians are trading policy pitches for pole dancing, DJ booths, and dance challenges. STAN’s Michaela Šebelová launched a campaign dance series, while ANO’s Andrej Babiš hit the festival circuit. An estimated 400,000 first-time voters will go to the polls this fall, increasing the need to appear relatable and stay in social media feeds during a quiet political season.

The Interior Ministry has unveiled a national “72 Hours” guide to help citizens survive the first three days of a crisis, when heat, electricity, and internet may vanish. The manual offers practical tips on emergency supplies and self-reliance in multiple languages, including English—printed copies land in households this fall. The guide is available on the website www.72h.gov.cz in Czech, English, Ukrainian, and Czech Sign Language.

A new guide from the Czech AI Association shows how hospitals can use AI to speed up diagnoses, flag urgent cases, and cut admin tasks like transcription and coding. Already in use at 64 percent of hospitals, the tech helps detect pathologies in scans and frees up time for overwhelmed doctors. The association stresses: AI won’t replace physicians, but it might save more lives, sooner.

Boston Bruins star David Pastrňák remains the highest-paid Czech athlete, raking in CZK 305 million last season, Forbes reports. The 29-year-old forward leads a top 10 dominated by NHL players, with Tomáš Hertl and Filip Hronek trailing behind. Footballer Patrik Schick slips to fourth, but a fresh Leverkusen contract may boost him next year.

A TikTok video showing a Prague tram passenger fuming over rainbow flag decorations has gone viral. The elderly man loudly objected to the Pride-themed display, only to be swiftly shut down by another rider who told him to “get off” if it bothered him. The exchange ended with a pointed question (“Are you gay?”) and an even cooler reply: “No. But I don’t mind the community.”