Czech news in brief for July 22: Monday's top headlines

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that Czech diplomacy will continue fighting for the release of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmaševová, who lives in the Czech Republic and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in Russia for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military. The head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, for which Kurmaševa worked, condemned the trial and verdict as a mockery of justice, and called for her immediate release.

Czech tennis player Markéta Vondroušová, who won last year's Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament and was the 2019 Roland Garros finalist, will not compete at the Paris Olympics due to an unspecified hand injury, she announced on social media. She was hoping to defend her silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics. Vondroušová, ranked 18th in the world, was also scheduled to play doubles with Karolína Muchová, but a replacement cannot be called on such short notice. The tennis competitions at the Paris Olympics will start on clay on Saturday.

Political scientist Michal Pink of Masaryk University in Brno stated that it is too early to estimate Kamala Harris's chances in the U.S. presidential elections. Although President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race, Jan Hornát of Charles University in Prague believes that the Democratic Party's prospects have not significantly changed. Harris, the current vice president, announced her candidacy and has received support from party members. Hornát predicts that she will be the Democratic nominee against Republican Donald Trump. "Harris is lagging behind Trump in the polls in a similar way to Biden," Hornát noted. 

The Czech ammunition initiative, led by Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, will deliver 100,000 pieces of ammunition to Ukraine in July and August, the government has said today. A total of 18 countries, including Czechia, have joined the initiative, contributing 500,000 pieces in total. Lipavský stated that they are seeking funds to continue the initiative in 2025 and could potentially deliver up to 800,000 pieces this year. The Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Denmark are the main contributors, with Czechia providing CZK 866 million.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, described by political analysts as an unprecedented but expected historical moment, creates space for Vice President Kamala Harris to run. Pressure from donors and politicians influenced Biden’s decision. Analysts Jan Benes and Jakub Dopieralla from Charles University highlight Harris’s appeal to crucial voter groups and political experience, making her a logical successor. The Democratic campaign now needs a rapid reset.

BENU pharmacies resumed operations after a global IT system outage that forced closures on Friday. Spokesperson Veronika Forejtová confirmed that all branches, including the e-shop and e-prescription services, are fully functional. BENU prioritizes restoring the network and will address security measures next. The outage, caused by a failed software update from CrowdStrike, impacted various industries worldwide, including Czech aviation. Dr. Max, the largest Czech pharmacy network, reported no issues.

 The Czech state plans to intensify checks on express trains due to issues with outdated carriages, lack of internet, and insufficient seating despite spending six billion crowns annually. Complaints include missing amenities and barrier-free access. Carriers face fines for contract breaches, with Regiojet fined nearly half a million crowns last year. The Ministry of Transport will increase inspections and involve regional workers to enhance oversight by year-end.

High temperatures in parts of the Czech Republic on Sunday will continue in Moravia and Silesia on Monday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute also warns of temperatures above 31°C in Prague, Central Bohemia, and other regions. Intense storms with heavy rain, hail, and strong winds are expected in the west of Bohemia on Monday evening, moving across the country. Thunderstorms will be widespread on Monday, subsiding by Tuesday night.

Ukrainian artist Oleh Smal presented his latest cartoons at the 12 Art Cabinet Gallery in Prague, focusing on Ukraine-Russia relations. Smal, in Prague from Kyiv, has created over 15,000 works in 25 years. The exhibition highlights the war and living conditions in Ukraine. Smal, exhibiting in the Czech Republic for the first time, warned Europe about Russian expansionism and announced he would burn his political cartoons once the conflict ends.