Czech news in brief for August 9: Saturday's top headlines

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute narrowed today’s heat warning to parts of southern Czechia, central Bohemia, and Prague, with temperatures reaching above 31 degrees Celsius, up to 34 degrees Celsius in South Moravia. On Sunday, the warning applies mainly to South Moravia. Temperatures are expected to drop on Monday before rising above 30 degrees Celsius again later in the week.

Czech firefighters are fighting a wildfire near Athens for a second day amid strong winds reaching 70 km/h. The fire is mostly controlled, but evacuations continue in risk areas. The team protects homes near Chárvalo, about 50 km from Athens. Authorities evacuated several villages after the fire started Friday near Keratea. One elderly man was found dead in the affected area.

Ahead of October’s parliamentary elections, Czech parties are reaching out to expatriates who can vote by post for the first time. The Pirates launched an informational website, STAN held debates in Berlin and London, and SPD uses social media campaigns. More than 17,600 voters abroad have registered so far, though officials expect fewer than 50,000. The Foreign Ministry promotes postal voting via social media and embassies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Prague for its artillery aid under the Czech Ammunition Initiative, which has supplied 1.5 million rounds, following a call with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Friday. Zelenskyy also called on Kyiv and its allies to back U.S. efforts toward a Ukraine ceasefire. Media report the U.S. and Russia are working on a ceasefire plan, with a Trump-Putin meeting expected.

The Czech crown saw gains on Friday, closing at CZK 24.44/EUR and CZK 20.96/USD, its strongest rate in years against the dollar. Analysts link the rise to the central bank’s decision to keep rates at 3.5 percent, seen as hawkish. The Prague Stock Exchange’s PX index fell .09 percent to 2285.20 points, pulled down by VIG, Komerční banka, and ČEZ shares despite gains by Erste and Kofola.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza City a risky move but noted Hamas control is driving the conflict. Senate foreign committee head Pavel Fischer urged a shift in Israel’s stance toward civilians, citing humanitarian concerns. Minister Marek Ženíšek backed Israel’s right to self-defense. The ongoing conflict has killed over 61,000 Palestinians since October, Gaza health officials say.

Police arrested a man after he examined the contents of a stolen safe outside Prague police headquarters Tuesday morning. CCTV footage captured the act, and officers detained him almost immediately. The man allegedly stole the safe from a nearby shopping center. If charged with burglary, he faces up to two years in prison.

Barbora Krejčíková defeated American Alycia Parks 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 Saturday to reach the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. The world No. 80 will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina next. It was Krejčíková’s first win since Wimbledon, coming after a two-hour match in which she overcame early missed chances and dominated the deciding set without losing serve.

Protesters sprayed brown paint on Ostrava’s Mariánské Hory and Hulváky town hall overnight, opposing plans to evict residents from the Bedřiška settlement. Police arrested a 23-year-old woman and are investigating. The activist group MHaH Group, Racism District claimed responsibility, calling the evictions discriminatory. Officials say the houses are beyond repair and alternative housing is being offered.

Michal Stiborek, former director of Prague’s Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, died Thursday at 57 after a serious illness, IKEM said. His trial on charges of blackmailing two doctors was set for October. Stiborek led IKEM from 2019 to 2023, overseeing major investments in care. He denied the accusations, which also involve two former colleagues.