Czech news in brief for June 2: Sunday's top headlines

Most of the Czech Republic will see thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with some being strong and accompanied by torrential rain and small hail. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning for these storms, effective through Monday. An additional flood warning has been issued in the Pilsen Region until Monday at noon, with train travel in the area halted. Significant rises in water levels are expected due to intense rainfall.

The month-old male Sumatran orangutan at Prague Zoo has been named Harapan, meaning "hope" in Indonesian. The name was chosen from around 2,000 suggestions. Harapan, the first cub of female Diri and male Paga, was officially named on Sunday at a ceremony attended by zoo director Miroslav Bobek, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, British Ambassador Matt Field, and Deputy Mayor Jana Komrsková. The event coincided with Children's Day celebrations at the zoo.

Markéta Vondroušová advanced to the French Open quarterfinals by defeating Olga Danilović 6-4, 6-2. The Czech No. 1 and tournament's number 5 seed won in one hour and 21 minutes, and will next face world No. 1 Iga Świątek. This is Vondroušová's second time reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open and her fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance overall.

According to recent polls, the ANO party is projected to win European Parliament elections in the Czech Republic, surpassing the Spolu coalition. Other contenders, including the Pirates Party, are also competing for seats. The elections are scheduled for June 7 and 8, with results to be published by the Czech Statistical Office next Sunday. ANO is forecasted to secure six seats, while Spolu may receive five. Czechia will have 21 seats in European Parliament, from a total of 720.

In a clash on Prague's Old Town Square, volunteers collecting money for Ukraine were reportedly attacked by Russian-speaking individuals. A video circulating on social media captured the incident, showing a confrontation near a stand labeled "Prague Maidan." Police are investigating the altercation, which involved shouting and physical altercations, including the use of umbrellas.

A new ferry service between Vaňov and Brná in Ústí nad Labem is now operational, providing easy access to the Elbe cycling path. Operated on an on-call basis, passengers can board at the wharf in Pražská street in Vaňov or at a small platform in Brná. The fare for a trip is CZK 15, with additional charges for bicycles, strollers, or dogs. Other ferries in the area offer seasonal services, providing alternative transportation options, especially during bridge closures or floods.

The Radbuza River in Staňkov, near Pilsen, has reached the third and highest level of flood warning due to heavy rains, while several other rivers in the Pilsen Region are at the first and second flood warning levels. The rivers are moving towards Pilsen, where measures are in place to manage their elevated levels. Firefighters have handled minor incidents, including clearing culverts and pumping water from basements. No major problems have been reported.

Fake videos featuring a deepfake of ANO party head and former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš are circulating on social media, urging watchers to invest money. These fraudulent videos, resembling news reports, claim users can earn significant money, but Babiš is not involved. The deepfake videos have been spotted as Facebook ads and are increasingly sophisticated, tricking many into providing personal information or money. Authorities warn people not to engage with these scams.

The first national census of butterflies in the Czech Republic begins on Monday, June 3. The Butterfly Half Hour event invites public participation to improve butterfly conservation, as their numbers are rapidly declining. Organized by the International Conservation Group JARO, the census will occur twice a year. Participants, including schools and organizations, will spend 30 minutes observing butterflies in suitable weather. Data collected will aid scientists in their conservation efforts.

A mountaintop snowfield known as the Map of the Republic on Studniční hora in the Giant Mountains is expected to melt within the next ten days, roughly a month earlier than last year. Currently, the snowfield has up to one meter of snow. The area, with a shape reminiscent of the First Republic of Czechoslovakia, has been monitored by Krkonoše National Park officials, who recorded a maximum snow depth of eight meters in March. The melting process depends on weather conditions.

Journalist Lída Rakušanová received the June 1 Award from Mayor Roman Zarzycký in Pilsen for her contributions to democracy, freedom, and justice on Saturday. This prestigious award honors her work at Radio Free Europe and her defense of human rights. The award ceremony commemorates the June 1, 1953, anti-communist uprising in Pilsen. Rakušanová joins past laureates like Václav Havel and Michal Kubal. She dedicated the award to her late colleagues at Radio Free Europe.