Czech news in brief for August 4: Sunday's top headlines

Firefighters in Mariánské Lázně evacuated 18 people from a cable car that stopped unexpectedly due to a fault in the rope tensioning system. No injuries were reported, said regional fire department spokesman Martin Kasal. The incident occurred around 1 p.m., and by 2:30 p.m., all passengers were safely on the ground. The Koliba-Krakonoš cabin cableway, the oldest in Bohemia, features a unique pulse transportation system and was built between 1988 and 1993.

Czech Senate Head Miloš Vystrčil has called for new methods to commemorate victims of communist persecution in Czech society. Speaking at a memorial in Jihlava for 11 men executed in the 1950s political show trials, Vystrčil suggested taking inspiration from Germany's "Stolpersteine" initiative, which honors Holocaust victims. He proposed similar markers for victims of the communist era, noting that around 4,500 to 5,000 people died in communist camps, with 250 executed.

The far-right anti-immigration Czech political party SPD, led by Tomio Okamura, has launched a controversial new campaign following poor performance in European elections and low poll numbers. The campaign includes alarming imagery, such as a black migrant holding a bloody knife, and false claims about the European Union forcing people to eat insects. The campaign, created with coalition partner Trikolora, uses provocative visuals to criticize EU regulations and Czech government policies.

A baby North American porcupine has been born at the Olomouc Zoo. This is only the 24th baby porcupine born at the zoo in 15 years. Despite not being endangered in the wild, North American porcupines are challenging to care for in captivity. They are found across North America from northern Mexico to Canadian tundra, and their diet includes twigs, bark, buds, leaves, fruits, and various vegetables in zoos.

The National Sports Center in Harrachov will begin the reconstruction of the K120 ski jump this year. Estimated to cost between CZK 40 and 50 million, the project is expected to be completed by the 2025/2026 winter season. The K120 jump will be the first of several planned upgrades in the area, which houses five ski jumps. Harrachov’s mayor, Tomáš Vašíček, stated that the renovation is part of a broader modernization effort for winter sports in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic, along with other nations, refuses to recognize the results of Venezuela's presidential election. Pavel Fischer, head of the Czech Senate's foreign affairs committee, signed a declaration with representatives from 16 countries urging Venezuela to negotiate with the opposition for a democratic transition. Venezuela's Central Electoral Commission declared Nicolas Maduro the winner, despite opposition claims of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia's victory.

Marie Bouzková advanced to the final at the Washington Open by defeating WTA world number three Aryna Sabalenka. Bouzková, ranked 43rd, won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in a rain-interrupted match. She will compete against Spain's Paula Badosa for her second WTA title. Despite a delay, Bouzková regained composure, broke Sabalenka’s serve twice, and served flawlessly. A victory could return Bouzková to the top 30 in the WTA rankings.

As of August 1, the Czech state has registered 23,471 vehicles operated by Ukrainians. These vehicles must be registered within seven days of receiving temporary protection or a visa but are exempt from regular technical inspections (MOT). However, they must have a green card (liability insurance certificate). Ukrainian vehicles can operate freely in the Czech Republic without an MOT but must be in proper condition and have valid Ukrainian documents.

The center of Brno vibrated with the energy of Brazilian samba on Saturday as dancers in colorful carnival costumes and a hundred drummers paraded through the streets for Brasil Fest Brno. The parade, a highlight of the festival, drew about 250 participants and thousands of spectators. This year's theme focused on Amazonia, and the festival continues through Sunday.

A former nuclear weapons depot in Brdy, West Bohemia, hosted the Atom Peace Fest on Saturday. The event, combining music with the message of peaceful nuclear energy use, was organized by Vaclav Vitovec, who manages the local Atom Museum. The festival, the first of its kind at a former nuclear warehouse, featured a speech on the international situation by Hynek Kmonicek, Czech Ambassador to Vietnam. The depot, active during the Cold War, now operates as a museum attracting global visitors.