Czech news in brief for July 17: Wednesday's top headlines

The Czech Constitutional Court this afternoon ruled in favor of a Tunisian citizen facing life imprisonment for drug crimes in Tunisia, requiring the High Court in Prague to review his potential extradition back to North Africa. The court must consider German courts' decisions, which denied extradition for his brother in the same case, and the European Court of Human Rights' case law. Constitutional Court Judge Pavel Šámal emphasized understanding differing views on diplomatic guarantees. The man, in Czech extradition detention, has also applied for asylum in Czechia.

South Bohemian health authorities report that small rural pharmacies in the area are disappearing due to competition from city-based chain pharmacies. To improve medicine access in these regions, they propose loosening rules to allow one head pharmacist to oversee multiple pharmacies, provided their combined operating hours do not exceed the pharmacist's weekly working hours. This measure aims to help less busy pharmacists support struggling pharmacies in nearby towns. In the last five years, 382 pharmacies have closed.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, food prices in June rose for 10 out of 13 monitored items compared to May. Potatoes, white yogurt, and apples saw the highest increases. However, year-on-year food prices fell, with eggs, flour, and sugar dropping over 20 percent. Despite a 16.5 percent monthly rise, potatoes remained more expensive due to drought and poor harvests. Apples also went up 5 percent. Agricultural production prices fell for the 14th consecutive month, easing consumer price pressures.

Most Czech members of European Parliament (MEPs) have said they will not support Ursula von der Leyen's re-election as European Commission President during a vote on Thursday. Only five Czech MEPs from her European People's Party Group and three from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) may vote in her favor. She needs at least 361 votes in the secret ballot to retain their position. Von der Leyen is reaching out to other groups, such as the Greens and ECR, for support. 

The 21st Colors of Ostrava festival kicks off today and will feature music from over 30 countries until July 20. Headliners include Lenny Kravitz and Sam Smith. Queens of the Stone Age canceled due to health issues. Local acts like Mig 21 and Tata Bojs will perform. The Meltingpot forum hosts 250+ speakers, including Dan Ariely and Irvine Welsh. Theater performances include the production Marta.

At least 171 candidates will run for the Senate this year, a decrease from previous elections due to more frequent coalition nominations. The nomination deadline ended today. Nine candidates each have filed in the Domažlice and Břeclav wards, while Náchod and Vsetín wards have the least competition, with three candidates each. The number of candidates may change by early August after verifying legal conditions.

President Petr Pavel will meet Czech Wimbledon winners Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková at Prague Castle on Thursday, the Presidential Office has announced. Krejčíková claimed her first Wimbledon singles title on Saturday, while Siniaková won the doubles with American Taylor Townsend. Pavel praised Krejčíková’s victory as a boost to national pride. Both players will soon reunite for a doubles match in Prague before defending their Olympic gold medals in Paris.

Defense Minister Jana Černochová discussed training Ukrainian soldiers in the Czech Republic and potentially joining Poland’s “Ukrainian Legion” initiative with Ukrainian government representatives. The new unit aims to involve Ukrainian citizens in Europe. Černochová seeks more information and plans to meet her Polish counterpart. Currently, the Czech Republic trains up to 800 Ukrainian soldiers at a time, aiming to increase this to 2,000 soldiers, covering brigade-level training.

The list of countries accepting Czech e-prescriptions has expanded, including Spain and Croatia. Despite this progress, the project remains in its pilot phase, and some pharmacies may face issues dispensing medications. In such cases, a paper prescription is still valid across the EU. During summer, the demand for pain, fever, and sunburn medications rises. Patients need an ID and e-prescription identifier for purchases abroad.

The Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences announced that a Czech-German collaboration has uncovered new mechanisms in human cell division. Researchers identified a protein that binds to actin and microtubules, essential for proper chromosome division. Without this protein, actin filaments and chromosome division were disrupted. The discovery, led by Libor Macůrek and published in PNAS, could impact the understanding of developmental defects and cancer.