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The European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia includes a mechanism crafted by the Czech authorities, Veronika Stromšíková from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Czech Radio. The system, developed over more than ten months, is designed to detect companies circumventing sanctions by exporting restricted goods to Russia via third countries. The mechanism mirrors existing Czech controls on dual-use and military-grade exports, such as certain chemicals, night-vision technologies, or specialized electronics. The inclusion of this mechanism in the EU-wide sanctions package marks a diplomatic success for Czech negotiators.
World War II veteran Herman Geist, one of the American liberators of Plzeň and western Bohemia, passed away in the United States on June 28, at the age of 100.
Representatives of the West Bohemian city paid tribute to his memory on Tuesday, laying flowers at the Thank You, America! memorial and at the monument to the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division on Chodské Square. In the coming days, members of the public will be able to sign a condolence book placed in the entrance hall of Plzeň City Hall, the municipality announced on its website.
Geist was a regular guest at Plzeň’s annual Freedom Festival. During the war, he served as a lieutenant in the 38th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, which entered Plzeň on May 6, 1945.
A new protected landscape area called Soutok was officially established today at the confluence of the Morava and Dyje rivers. Spanning 125 square kilometres, it contains the largest floodplain forest complex in Europe. Approved by the Czech government in January, it becomes the country’s 27th protected landscape area.
Often described as the most valuable floodplain ecosystem in Czechia, the region is known for its exceptional biodiversity. It is home to around 250 bird species, including the rare Eastern imperial eagle, as well as a wide range of plants, fungi, and fish. In 2018, scientists even discovered a previously unknown beetle species: Paranovelsis moravicus. While some local residents opposed the protected status, conservationists say the designation is crucial for preserving this unique environment.
Thousands of fish have perished in the Dyje River in the Břeclav region due to high temperatures and low oxygen levels in the water. While some of the dead fish have already surfaced, many remain at the riverbed and are expected to float up in the coming days, according to local fishermen engaged in a clean-up operation. Water management authorities began increasing the outflow from the Nové Mlýny reservoirs over the weekend so as to aerate the water. However due to the extreme weather conditions, the situation could worsen in other areas. Similar die-offs occurred in 2018 and again three years ago, causing damages worth millions of crowns.
Prague police have filed charges against a 70-year-old man who repeatedly sent threats to top Czech officials, including President Petr Pavel, Defence Minister Jana Černochová and Senator Miroslava Němcová. According to earlier information released by investigators, the man sent politicians vulgar messages threatening them with physical violence. The case will now be reviewed by the District Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prague 1. If convicted, the man could get a sentence of up to three years in prison.
As of July 1, Czech drivers involved in minor road accidents will no longer be required to call the police, provided the damage to any single vehicle does not exceed 200,000 crowns. The threshold, previously set at 100,000, was raised by an amendment to the Road Transport Act. However, the obligation to report accidents remains if there are injuries, fatalities, or damage to third-party property. According to police, the change aims to streamline post-accident procedures and reflects the rising costs of vehicle repairs.
July 1 marks the beginning of the hunting season in the Czech Republic. Hunters are now permitted to hunt several game species, including red deer, fallow deer, and foxes, under extended hunting periods approved by the Ministry of Agriculture in March. These exceptions are valid until 2030. The current changes are aimed at curbing overpopulated hoofed game and minimizing environmental and agricultural damage.
Four Czech players are through to the second round at Wimbledon. Jiří Lehečka beat Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien in four sets, while 2022 champion Markéta Vondroušová saw off American McCartney Kessler in straight sets. Linda Nosková defeated Bernarda Pera 6-2, 6-4, and Marie Bouzková overcame Lulu Sun from New Zealand by the same scoreline.
Day two of the grass-court Grand Slam continues today. Barbora Krejčíková begins her title defense against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines. Retiring two-time champion Petra Kvitová faces 10th seed Emma Navarro. Also expected to play today are Karolína Muchová, Kateřina Siniaková, Tomáš Macháč, and Jakub Menšík.
Wednesday should be a scorching hot day across the country with afternoon highs between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, possibly as high as 37 degrees in places.
American artist Noah Breuer, whose Jewish ancestors once owned a textile factory in Dvůr Králové, has returned to Czechia with a new exhibition. Created for the restored synagogue in Český Krumlov, the show features 16 large-scale textile prints inspired by his family’s history and Jewish tradition. I spoke with him about the ideas behind the project and the personal connections woven into the work.
Jakub Hrůša was announced as the new chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic. When he steps up to lead the top Czech orchestra, he’ll be just 47 years old—significantly younger than his recent predecessors. Hrůša brings not only youth, but deep roots in Czech music and global acclaim.
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