Czech news in brief for September 21: Sunday's top headlines

Czech President Petr Pavel said Palestinian statehood must arise from negotiations involving all parties, including Israel, and meet at least basic conditions. Speaking to journalists ahead of his UN General Assembly visit, he warned that unilateral recognition could raise expectations that complicate talks. Pavel emphasized humanitarian aid, pressuring Hamas to release hostages, and urging Israel to end military operations.

The Italian port of Ravenna refused entry to two trucks reportedly carrying explosives for Israel, with Italian media citing the Czech Republic as the origin. Mayor Alessandro Barattoni said the move followed requests to stop the shipments amid growing public opposition to Israel’s Gaza offensive. Italian unions have staged strikes urging a halt to military cooperation with Israel.

Opposition party ANO would receive 30.9 percent of the vote according to a new STEM survey, followed by the Spolu coalition at 19.5 percent. STAN surged to third place with 12.2 percent, overtaking SPD, which dropped to 12 percent. The Pirates follow at 9.3 percent, while Stačilo! (7.7 percent) and the Motorists (5.7 percent) also cross the 5 percent threshold to win seats in parliament.

Czech tennis stars Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková claimed the doubles title at the Korea Open in Seoul, defeating Maya Joint and Caty McNally 6-3, 7-6. The Czech pair, Olympic champions from Tokyo in 2021, won the final in one hour and 43 minutes, dropping just two service games. This marks their first title together since last year’s victory in Prague and the 18th in their long-term partnership.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Saturday that the government will set up an expert group to coordinate anti-drone protection under the National Security Council, citing recent Russian drone threats. The team will track technology and propose measures across ministries and security forces. Poland has reported 19 Russian drone violations this month.

Representatives of Charles University's Faculty of Arts and bereaved families will unveil a plaque today listing the 14 victims of the Dec. 21, 2023 mass shooting at the school in Prague. The ceremony at the temporary memorial on Jan Palach Square includes a silent tribute and music. The attack by a 24-year-old student remains the deadliest shooting in Czech history.

Temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius across much of Czechia on Saturday, with 23 long-term stations logging new Sept. 20 records, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported. The highest reading was 32.2 degrees in České Budějovice-Rožnov, while mountain sites like Horská Kvilda and Kvilda-Perla also broke absolute September highs despite being over 1,000 m above sea level.

The Czech National Bank is likely to hold its key rate at 3.5 percent on Wednesday, analysts told Czech News Agency. Persistent inflation pressures, rising wages and solid economic growth support a pause, despite a stronger koruna and renewed mortgage demand. Some economists warn future hikes remain possible if services inflation stays high. The rate, unchanged since May, guides loan and deposit costs for households and businesses.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Czechia’s future lies firmly in NATO as war continues in Eastern Europe, speaking at the NATO Days in Ostrava on Saturday. President Petr Pavel warned that Russian airspace violations in Estonia and Poland require a strong response, even military action. Police estimated up to 100,000 visitors on the show’s first day, which features military displays from 16 countries and runs through Sunday.

Prague’s District Court will begin hearings Monday in the Dozimetr case, a major corruption scandal tied to Prague’s public transport company DPP. Businessman Michal Redl, ex–deputy mayor Petr Hlubuček and six others face charges of bribery, money laundering and links to an organized group accused of rigging DPP contracts. Some defendants risk sentences of over 13 years. The probe has already led to resignations of top city and national officials.

Písečná in Czechia's Pardubice Region won the 2025 Village of the Year title for its landscape care and vibrant cultural life, organizers announced Saturday in Vacov. The 585-resident village topped a field of 181 entrants, ahead of Kosova Hora in Central Bohemia and Plenkovice in South Moravia. The annual contest honors rural communities with active civic life and plans for sustainable development.