Czech news in brief for July 31: Wednesday's top headlines

The Czech Republic is dispatching a Blackhawk helicopter with two rescuers and a liaison officer to North Macedonia to aid in fighting forest fires. The aircraft, equipped with a Bambi bucket, will depart from Přerov at noon and operate from Skopje. This follows a recent mission to Bulgaria. The Balkan region is experiencing severe fires due to high temperatures and strong winds, with evacuations and casualties reported.

The Czech Defense Ministry announced that Germany will donate 15 Leopard tanks, including 14 Leopard 2A4s and one BPz3 Buffel recovery vehicle, to Czechia in recognition of its aid to Ukraine. The donation, formalized today, is compensation for Czech military supplies to Ukraine. The first tank is expected by year-end, with the remainder arriving by early 2026. Germany previously donated 14 Leopard 2A4s and one recovery vehicle to Czechia in 2022-2023.

Franziska Diana Phipps Sternberg, 88, an heiress and philanthropist, passed away in Vienna last night. Known for her charitable work with the Committee of Goodwill - Olga Havel Foundation, she contributed significantly to various projects. Sternberg revitalized Castolovice Castle and its surroundings after the communist era. Born in Vienna and exiled in 1948, she reclaimed and restored her family’s properties. A memorial has been established at Castolovice Castle.

On the fifth day of the Olympics, Barbora Krejčíková was eliminated in the singles quarterfinals at the Olympic Games, losing to Slovakia’s Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 4:6, 2:6. Tomáš Macháč and Adam Pavlásek advanced to the doubles semifinals, defeating Germany’s Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz 3:6, 6:1, 10:5. They will face either Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain or Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

Barbora Krejčíková reached the Olympic singles quarterfinals for the first time with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 win over Elina Svitolina. She’ll face Anna Karolína Schmiedlová next. Tomáš Macháč fell to defending champion Alexander Zverev 3-6, 5-7, while Jakub Menšík lost to Tommy Paul 3-6, 1-6. Coco Gauff, the American flag bearer, was ousted by Donna Vekičová in the round of 16.

Social services in the Czech Republic lack 3,000 workers, prompting unions to demand a 10 percent pay increase. The Labour Ministry proposed a 7-10 percent raise for technical workers but not for care staff. Unions see this as insufficient and plan to meet with government officials before the end of August. They may protest this fall if their demands are not met.

TikToker Rostiks_01 fell from his apartment window in Hloubětín during a live-streamed challenge, suffering severe injuries. The incident, which occurred Monday at 7:30 a.m., shows the 24-year-old hanging from the fifth-floor window before slipping. Rescuers treated him on the scene and transported him to a trauma center. Police suspect alcohol was involved and are investigating the event as a potentially dangerous challenge.

Whistleblower reports in Czech companies have tripled in the first year of the whistleblower protection law, NNTB, a provider of whistleblowing software, announced. The law fosters an open corporate culture, though it lacks protection for anonymous whistleblowers. NNTB's Jan Slama praised the law for encouraging companies to address employee grievances but criticized the Czech implementation for inadequate anonymous whistleblower safeguards.

Personal coach Vratislav Hlásek, accused of sexual coercion by multiple female clients, rejected the indictment in court today. Hlásek claims his methods, based on tantra, were voluntary and aimed at personal development, including nudity and intimate sessions. Prosecutors allege he abused his authority to pressure women into sexual acts. Hlásek faces up to four years in prison if convicted.