Czech news in brief for August 3: Saturday's top headlines

Almost 90 percent of Czechs support gaining study or work experience abroad, according to a STEM/MARK survey for the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research. The survey of 1,000 people over 15 shows higher support for university students traveling than for secondary school students. Nearly 40 percent of people aged 15-59 are interested in future placements abroad, with strong interest among young people.

The US State Department has approved the sale of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Slovakia, a deal valued at approximately $600 million (around CZK 14 billion). The package includes 12 helicopters, 26 engines, 1,680 APKWS rounds, GPS/inertial navigation systems, and various avionics and countermeasure systems. Slovakia becomes the fourth country to acquire these helicopters, following the Czech Republic, Bahrain, and Nigeria.

Výjimečný stav (State of Emergency), the latest film from director Jan Hřebejk (Pelíšky), received an enthusiastic reception and extended applause during its premiere at the Slavonice Fest, according to media reports. The comedy follows a radio reporter played Ondřej Vetchý who fakes reports of an Arab revolution from his Prague apartment. Written by Milan Tesař, with music by Dušan Neuwerth, the film also stars Táňa Dyková and Jordan Haj. The Prague premiere is set for Oct. 14 at Kino Lucerna.

The band Mirai has canceled the remaining concerts of its Mirai Summer Fest due to an attack on frontman Mirai Navrátil, who suffered a broken jaw during an unprovoked altercation. The incident occurred at the end of July after an Ed Sheeran concert in Hradec Králové. Navrátil was attacked while waiting for a taxi. Police are seeking witnesses and have initiated criminal proceedings. The band plans to reschedule the concerts for 2025, with purchased tickets remaining valid.

An apartment fire in Žižkov caused by a hoverboard battery resulted in CZK 750,000 in damages on Friday evening. The fire, which completely burnt one room, was reported in an apartment on Husitská Street. Firefighters from two stations and a chemical service unit quickly controlled the blaze. Five residents were evaluated by emergency services and provided with temporary accommodation. No injuries were reported.

Czech tennis players Tomáš Macháč and Kateřina Siniaková claimed Olympic gold in mixed doubles, defeating China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu 6-2, 5-7, 10-8. This victory marks the Czech Republic’s first-ever gold in this discipline. Macháč, earning his first Olympic medal, will next compete for bronze in men's doubles. Meanwhile, the Czech fencing team of Jakub Jurka, Martin Rubeš, Jiří Beran, and Michal Čupr secured a surprising bronze, defeating world number one France 43-41.

President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva participated in the Olympic Festival at Lake Most on Friday, trying their hand at javelin throwing with veteran athlete Barbora Špotáková and fencing with national fencer Alexander Choupenitch. Pavel also enjoyed archery and paddleboarding with kayaker Vavřinec Hradílek. He praised the festival organizers for showcasing Most positively. The event, attended by 24,000 people so far, offers 52 sports activities and runs until August 11 to promote regular sports participation.

Czech Minister of Culture Minister Martin Baxa awarded the Artis Bohemiae Amicis medal to opera and theatre director Jitka Stokalská at the Czech Embassy in Warsaw. Stokalská, a prominent figure in Polish opera, has worked at the Warsaw Chamber Opera for over 40 years and has received the Jan Kiepura Prize and Gloria Artis Award. The medal honors those who significantly contribute to promoting Czech culture internationally since 2000.

This fall, the houses of Czech parliament will review government proposals including a tourism amendment allowing municipalities to limit short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, and a labor code amendment for a more flexible job market. Labor Minister Marian Jurečka plans to present the labor code amendment by late August, proposing wage payments in euros and extending trial periods.

Czech tennis star and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková has withdrawn from the upcoming National Bank Open in Toronto due to a thigh injury. Tournament organizers also announced that world number one Iga Świątek of Poland will not participate. Krejčíková cited a demanding schedule following her Wimbledon victory and a doubles win in Prague. At the Paris Olympics, she reached the singles and doubles quarterfinals.