Czech news in brief for July 18: Friday's top headlines

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan joined counterparts from five EU countries Friday to call for stricter migration measures. At a summit on Germany’s Zugspitze mountain, ministers from Czechia, Germany, France, Poland, Austria, and Denmark pledged to reduce illegal migration, combat smuggling networks, and reinforce the EU’s external borders. The meeting, led by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, included EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner. Rakušan emphasized Czechia’s commitment to stronger European border protection.

The European Union ended Czechia’s exemption on Russian oil imports Friday as part of its 18th sanctions package against Russia. The move follows Czech investments in the Transalpine Pipeline, reducing reliance on Russian supplies. The country’s last Russian oil shipment came in March, with imports ending officially in June. Czech refineries are now fully supplied by alternate routes via the TAL pipeline, including oil from the North Sea and beyond.

A motorcyclist led police on a chase that ended on the runway of Václav Havel Airport Friday after failing to stop and entering airport grounds without a helmet or license plate. The airport briefly suspended operations before resuming. A police helicopter was deployed to search for the suspect, who fled the scene. Authorities are continuing the investigation.

A Russian military court has sentenced Czech-based journalist Farida Kurbangaleeva to eight years in prison for allegedly promoting terrorism and spreading false information about the Russian military, Mediazona and TASS reported Friday. The verdict was issued in absentia, as Kurbangaleeva resides in the Czech Republic. In May, a Prague court refused Russia’s extradition request, citing political motives, human rights concerns, and the risk of persecution for her opposition views.

 A Czech court on Friday sentenced testing commissioner Radek Šampalík to seven years and interpreter Georges Manga to four in a wide-reaching corruption case involving illegal driving licenses. At least 722 people in Varnsdorf, many from outside the district, received licenses without meeting requirements. Authorities began investigating after the Transport Ministry flagged suspicious patterns in 2019, including repeat failures in other towns.

More than 60 percent of Czechs work at least occasionally while on vacation, according to a new survey by Platy.cz. Only 39 percent fully disconnect. The poll of over 2,300 respondents found most work voluntarily, citing personal responsibility and a desire to stay informed. Just 20 percent reported pressure from superiors. Six percent work daily, while others check in occasionally or only when contacted. Thirty percent worry work would stall without them.

Slovak PM Robert Fico said Slovakia will approve the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia on Friday after receiving energy-related guarantees from the European Commission. Fico called the EU plan to phase out Russian gas by 2028 "imbecilic" but said blocking sanctions further would harm Slovak interests. Bratislava now plans to fight the Commission’s gas proposal in a new phase of negotiations.

A new center aiding voluntary returns of Ukrainian refugees will open in Prague in early September, the Interior Ministry said. The “unity hub” will provide legal advice and information, encouraging post-war reconstruction. Operated with ICMPD, the advisory center won’t replace state services. Over 377,000 Ukrainian refugees currently hold temporary protection in Czechia, which remains in place until March 2027.

Czechia received CZK 24 billion more from the EU in the first half of 2025 than it paid into the budget, the Finance Ministry said. Revenues came mainly from structural and agricultural funds. Contributions totaled CZK 32.9B, while receipts hit CZK 55.5B. EU recovery funding (NGEU) fell sharply year-on-year, but the country expects more by year’s end for digital and economic upgrades.

Czech goaltender Lukáš Dostál signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks, making him one of the highest-paid Czech NHL players. The 25-year-old played 54 games last season and helped win 23. Originally from Brno, Dostál was drafted in 2018. Anaheim praised his rising performance, and he’s expected to appear in the Czech Olympic lineup next year.

A fire broke out Thursday night at a refreshment stand at the Colours of Ostrava music festival, injuring two workers and causing CZK 100,000 in damage. No visitors were harmed. The fire was extinguished before fire crews arrived. A pressure cylinder was removed and cooled. An investigation into the cause is underway, officials said. The festival continues in Dolní Vítkovice.