Czech news in brief for July 9: Tuesday's top headlines

Czech tennis player Barbora Krejčíková will face Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon on Wednesday, aiming to improve her previous best at the grass Grand Slam. The two have met seven times before, with Ostapenko leading the head-to-head 5-2. Krejčíková sees her as a tough opponent, but is excited for the match and grateful to have reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in her career. Krejčíková is ranked 32nd in the world and won the French Open Grand Slam in 2021.

The Czech Republic's unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent in June, the same as in May and slightly higher than a year ago. Prague and Vysočina had the lowest unemployment at 2.7 percent, while the highest was in the Ústí nad Labem at 5.9 percent. Praha-východ had the lowest unemployment at 1.4 percent. Analysts predict a gradual increase to 4 percent, due to a slight worsening of the labor market. As of June, there were 272,684 unemployed individuals, 1,638 fewer than the previous month.

According to a survey by the STEM research agency in June, the Czech public's perception of most countries remains consistent, with Slovakia maintaining its top spot, although with a slight decrease compared to last year. Ratings have only changed by a maximum of 0.1 points in most cases, with the exception of Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine, which saw a 0.3 and 0.2 point drop, respectively. Russia continues to have the lowest rating. Among foreign politicians, former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová received the highest rating. 

SPD leader Tomio Okamura announced that the Czech opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) movement will join the Europe of Sovereign Nations group in the European Parliament along with Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD will not include its election leader Maximilian Krah, who has faced criticism for his statements. The far-right and Eurosceptic Identity and Democracy (ID) group has been replaced by the Patriots for Europe group, which includes ANO, Oath, and Motorists MEPs.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) accused the Patriots for Europe group, which includes the Czech opposition ANO movement, of serving Russia’s interests and endangering Europe’s security. ANO leader Andrej Babiš called Fiala a “pathological liar” and dismissed the claims as nonsense. Fiala’s remarks targeted ANO’s alignment with nationalist parties across Europe, while Babiš emphasized ANO’s preference for peace and rapid cessation of fighting.

The Land and Air Transport Trade Union (OSPLD) at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport has declared a strike alert due to prolonged unprofessional personnel and human resources management. The airport’s spokeswoman, Klára Divíšková, stated that an extraordinary meeting will address the union’s demands. The Transport Trade Union (OSD) disagrees with the strike alert. OSPLD, representing 400 of the airport’s 2,700 employees, cites understaffing and inadequate wage policies as key issues.

Dozens of people gathered in Prague’s Palacký Square to protest the Russian bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv. The demonstration, organized by Civic Signpost and Voice of Ukraine, featured participants holding a banner reading, “There can be no peace without Russia’s defeat.”

Protestors stood with Ukrainian flags and children’s toys smeared with red paint, symbolizing the victims. They observed a minute of silence, sang Ukrainian songs, and chanted “Glory to Ukraine.” The protest highlighted the need for financial support for Ukraine and coincided with the upcoming NATO summit.

Czech tennis star Petra Kvitová, 34, announced the birth of her first child, son Petr, on social media today. Kvitová, a double Wimbledon champion, welcomed her son on July 7. The father is her coach and husband, Jiří Vaněk. Kvitová, one of history’s best Czech tennis players, dominated Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014. She gave birth to her first child during her favorite tournament. Kvitová has not stated if this marks the end of her tennis career.

Long-distance runner Petr Meindlschmid and 3,000-meter steeplechase national record holder Tomáš Habarta have been added to the Czech Olympic team, as announced by the Czech Olympic Committee on Monday. Initially comprising 111 members, the team expanded following withdrawals by higher-ranked athletes. Meindlschmid and Habarta, finalists in the recent European Championships, will compete in the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 8. A full list of athletes headed to Paris can be seen here.

Vlastimil Vojáček’s photograph of a violet-green aurora over Mikulov and Svátý kopeček won the Astrophotography title for June, as announced by the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences. The aurora, rarely seen in the Czech Republic, was visible due to a recent geomagnetic storm. The winning image was selected by the Czech Astronomical Society’s jury. The phenomenon, driven by solar activity, varies in color depending on atmospheric conditions.