Czech morning news in brief: top headlines for June 28, 2021

Pope Francis prays for victims hit by tornado in South Moravia

Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for those affected by the tornado that swept South Moravia on Thursday and he talked about the dead, the injured, and those who had to leave their devastated homes during his regular Angelus prayer delivered at St. Peter's Square. The Pope assured the inhabitants of South Moravia he stands close by them. The thunderstorms and the tornado swept the Hodonin and Breclav areas on Thursday night, damaging 1,200 houses out of which dozens will have to be demolished. The disaster claimed six deaths, including that of a small child, and dozens of people suffered injuries. Damage is estimated at billions of crowns.

The Czech Republic beats the Netherlands in Sunday Euro 2020 upset

Tomáš Holeš and Patrik Schick netted second-half goals at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest on Sunday as the Czech Republic beat The Netherlands to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2020 tournament. The 2-0 victory means the Czech team will face Denmark in Baku on Saturday. Dutch center-back Matthijs de Ligt was called for a handball in the second half with the match at 0-0. The Czech Republic used its one-man advantage to dominate the game from this point. With the team ranked 40th in the world, this is the first Czech victory in the knockout stages of a major tournament since Euro 2004.

Czech president criticizes Me Too movement, LGBTQ+ events

In a Sunday debate on CNN Prima News, Czech President Miloš Zeman criticized those fighting for women's political rights and castigated the Me Too movement as well as LGBTQ+ events like the Prague Pride festival. Zeman openly expressed disgust with transgender people during the interview said that if he were younger, he would have organized a heterosexual parade in Prague. In reaction to Zeman's statement, Daniel Zikmund on behalf of the Prague Pride group said that such comments only add fuel to the fire of hatred. Zeman discussed the topic in connection to the disputed Hungarian anti-LGBTQ+ law. The legislative norms that have passed in Hungary encroach on children's rights, hamper access to information, and disrupt the already challenging process of self-acceptance and coming out of all LGBTQ+ people. Seventeen EU countries have immediately acknowledged that but the Czech Republic refused to join them, Zikmund said. The annual Prague Pride festival organizes concerts, exhibitions, film screenings, and debates. The traditional rainbow parade will not take place again this year due to the coronavirus. ČTK

Czech politicians, prime minister commemorate Horáková's death 71 years ago

Sunday marked 71 years since the execution of lawyer, National Socialist MP, and women's rights activist Milada Horáková at Prague’s Pankrác Prison. Horáková actively opposed the communist regime. Her trial and that of her twelve colleagues was one of the most significant fabricated political trials in communist Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. Horáková was sentenced to death for alleged espionage and high treason.  She was executed despite the intercession of personalities from all over the world including Albert Einstein. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš tweeted: "Her incredible courage and heroism is an inspiration to us all. It's been 71 years since the monstrous regime murdered her." In honor of the memory of Milada Horáková and the victims of the communist regime, TOP 09 leader, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, walked to Horáková's monument in Prague's Lesser Town nearby the seat of the Chamber of Deputies.

Hot spell followed by cooler weather and more storms expected this week

The end of June beginning of July will bring jumps in temperature in the Czech Republic. Early this week, the mercury will climb to 33°C, but by Tuesday evening, a cold front could lead to strong storms accompanied by torrential rain and hail with gusting wind of up to 90 km/h. Mid-week storms will lead to a cooling of about 10°C, with clouds and showers expected throughout the week and a slight weekend rise in temperatures expected.