Czech news in brief for September 6: Friday's top headlines

Prague’s Bulovka University Hospital has announced that it reached an agreement with the victims of a patient-identity mix-up that occurred in March, resulting in an unplanned abortion. Both patients involved were foreigners. According to doctor and lawyer Mario Švehelka, the compensation could potentially be CZK 2 million, but the exact amount is not known. A language barrier was the reason for the case of mistaken identity. Four employees were placed off duty immediately after the incident, and one had their work contract terminated by mutual agreement.

The Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party caused controversy in Prague's Wenceslas Square while shooting a campaign video Thursday, which featured visuals that politicians say is racist. The SPD displayed an image depicting a bloodied black man holding a knife; its message warned of uncontrolled immigration and criticized the EU’s Migration Pact. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová called the campaign "disgusting." The district council of Prague 1 said it felt “betrayed” and “cheated” by the SPD due to not being informed that the party would use public space for political campaigning. 

The Czech football team, led by coach Ivan Hašek, will begin their League of Nations season with a match against Georgia on Saturday. They will also face Ukraine and Albania in their group. The League of Nations offers an additional chance for national teams to qualify for major tournaments, with the top four teams competing for a spot in the World Cup. Hašek's team is determined to advance to the World Cup and sees each match as crucial, according to the coach.

The German government plans to extend border controls with four neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic, due to a need for increased control of external borders. Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser stated that these checks have been successful in preventing illegal migration and the arrest of human traffickers. The controls, currently in place until mid-December, will likely continue in all four areas. This decision has been supported by several regional politicians, including Bavarian Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann and Brandenburg President Dietmar Woidke. 

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said recent threats to domestic schools appear to be a coordinated cyberattack, likely of foreign origin. While there is no proof the threats are real, he noted they aim to create fear and uncertainty. Investigators are considering multiple theories, including links to Russia. Nearly 500 schools received threatening emails this week, prompting varying responses from evacuations to continued classes.

Karolína Muchová was defeated by American Jessica Pegula 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the US Open semifinals, falling short of reaching the final for the second consecutive year. Pegula will face Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Emma Navarro 6-3, 7-6, for her first Grand Slam title. Muchová led early but could not maintain momentum, making 40 unforced errors.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský will visit South Korea from Sunday to Tuesday to meet Foreign Minister Cho Tae-jul and Prime Minister Han Duk-soo and speak at an international conference on AI's military use. The visit follows South Korea’s KHNP winning a tender to build two nuclear reactors in Dukovany. Negotiations continue on the contract, with a decision expected by March.

The Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) in Prague opened two new pavilions, built over three years at a cost of CZK 1.3 billion. The expansion adds 83 beds, including 49 for intensive care, to boost specialized patient care. Deputy Health Minister Helena Rognerova announced the facility’s upgrades, including new post-surgery and metabolic intensive care wards, funded partly by a CZK 700 million subsidy.

The Czech Rectors' Conference (CKR) says the planned three-billion-crown increase in university funding is inadequate, warning it jeopardizes education quality and international competitiveness. The Finance Ministry proposes a 34-billion-crown budget for 2024, but rectors claim a ten to eleven billion shortfall. They urge the government to boost funding to prevent academic staff departures and accommodate incoming students from strong secondary school classes.