Czech news in brief for July 27: Sunday's top headlines

President Petr Pavel made a private stop in India to personally congratulate the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday after an official visit to Japan. He was accompanied only by Czech Ambassador Eliška Žigová. The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in Dharamsala since 1959, maintains historical ties to Czechia dating back to his friendship with Václav Havel. Pavel accepted the Tibetan leader’s invitation to attend the birthday celebration.

A Czech Black Hawk helicopter with a 3,410-liter water bucket and a seven-member crew is en route to Plovdiv to help Bulgaria combat wildfires. The aircraft departed from Přerov at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and is due to land around 7:30 p.m. The mission follows a Bulgarian request via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism amid extreme heat and wind. Czech teams are also assisting with wildfire suppression in Greece.

Opposition party ANO would win a general election with 32.9 percent support, according to the latest STEM poll. The ruling Spolu coalition follows with 21.2 percent, while SPD remains third at 12.5 percent. STAN, the Pirates, and Stačilo! would also enter Parliament. ANO would secure 75 seats, with the current governing parties projected to lose their majority. The poll surveyed 1,559 respondents between July 3 and 22, ahead of October's election.

Czechia faces a shortage of at least 100,000 skilled workers in construction and related trades, industry groups warn. Despite average wage growth of up to 10 percent for some roles, interest among young people remains low. Positions such as bricklayer, plumber, and roofer are in highest demand. Firms are offering competitive pay, but vocational school enrollment continues to fall, prompting calls for better promotion of modern trades careers.

Czech actor and comedian Jiří Krampol died Saturday evening at age 87, CNN Prima News reported Sunday. A graduate of DAMU, Krampol became a household name through decades of stage, film, and television work. He was also known for dubbing French icons Jean-Paul Belmondo and Louis de Funès. In 2018, he received the Medal of Merit. He had faced health issues in recent years.

Strong rains have battered the northern Moravia region today, with up to 80 millimeters falling in areas including the Jeseníky, Králický Sněžník, and Golden Mountains, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Meteorologists warn that heavy rain could lead to rising water levels and potential flooding of river basins. Additional warnings extend into eastern Moravia and Silesia until Monday evening. Authorities urge caution as storm persists.

The Culture Ministry has increased its budget by 30 percent this year, reaching over CZK 21.5 billion—its highest ever—fulfilling a government pledge to raise cultural funding. Key reforms include higher licence fees for Czech Television and Radio and expanded audiovisual support. However, critics cite persistent problems with grant distribution, job cuts at state-funded institutions, and unresolved oversight issues. A new State Cultural Policy 2026+ is under review.

Marie Bouzková defeated top seed Linda Nosková 2–6, 6–1, 6–3 to win the Livesport Prague Open on Saturday, securing her second WTA title and first in three years. The 27-year-old Czech overcame early struggles in the final, held on hard courts in Stromovka, to claim the win. Nosková, 20, fell short in her second Prague final. Bouzková earned $36,300 and will rise to No. 38 in the rankings.

Czech military aid to Ukraine, including weapons and ammunition, can be included in NATO's new 5 percent GDP defense spending benchmark, officials confirmed. Under a recent NATO agreement, direct support for Ukraine’s military needs may count toward national defense budgets. Czechia currently spends around 2 percent of GDP, mainly through a munitions initiative. Final decisions on future funding allocations, including additional aid to Ukraine, will be made by the next government.

South Bohemian towns and Austrian partners marked 200 years since construction began on the horse-drawn railway linking České Budějovice and Linz. Events in Bujanov featured historic trains, a statue unveiling, and a replica carriage. Celebrations also took place in Kaplice and České Budějovice. The 128-km line, begun in 1825, was Europe's first intercity horse-drawn railway and operated until 1872. Several museums and rail groups organized the commemorative events.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Jan Kodeš received the Karel Kozeluh Award at the Livesport Prague Open for his lifetime contribution to Czech tennis. The 79-year-old was presented the honor by Czech Tennis Association vice-president Petr Pála and Mirka Bendlová-Kozeluhová. Kodeš, a Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, joins a list of top athletes recognized for shaping Czech tennis history.