Czech news in brief for September 8: Sunday's top headlines

Czech Ambassador to Croatia Milan Hovorka aims to strengthen political dialogue with the country, emphasizing their partnership in the EU and NATO. Beyond tourism, Hovorka highlights growing Czech investment in Croatia, including in industries such as finance and food. He also noted Czech involvement in reviving Croatia's Djuro Djakovic industrial group. Czech tourists are Croatia's fifth-largest market.

Firefighters dismantled the roof of a Český Krumlov swimming pool complex after a fire destroyed the structure on Saturday. Crews reduced the fire alert level, continuing to extinguish hot spots through the evening. Deputy Mayor Dalibor Uhlíř confirmed the pool is beyond repair and plans to build a new one, estimated at CZK 400-450 million, are underway. The fire was likely caused by an accident involving attempts to remove a wasp nest.

Petra Kuříková finished second in the World Triathlon Cup in Karlovy Vary, just behind Maya Kingma of the Netherlands, who won by a two-minute, 20-second margin. Kuříková's strong running performance helped her secure the silver medal finish. Kuříková, an Olympian, is thrilled with her result, which comes ahead of the European Championship in Vichy, France, in two weeks.

Analysts predict that Czech inflation in August likely slowed and approached two percent, potentially even falling below this mark for the first time this year. According to the Czech National Bank's forecast, inflation slowed due to falling prices for fuels, clothing, and footwear, with a possible slight decrease in food prices. However, recreation, culture, dining, and accommodation costs may have continued to rise. The Czech Statistical Office will release official inflation figures on Tuesday.

A Czech man detained in Croatia in June for an explosion that killed a child is now back in the Czech Republic. Croatian authorities have not yet transferred the case to Czechia, pending translation and procedural steps. The explosion occurred near Obrovac, with the child finding an explosive device on a military site. The Czech embassy provided consular assistance and facilitated the return of the child's body.

Double Olympic judo champion Lukáš Krpálek has announced plans to continue his career and qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Despite falling short at the Paris Games, Krpálek, 33, remains highly motivated. He was eliminated in the round of 16 in the over 100 kg category. Krpálek, who first competed at the London 2012 Games, will strive to meet the qualification criteria for his fifth Olympics.

A demonstration in Prague’s Old Town Square on Saturday called for the protection of Ukraine’s skies and commemorated victims of a Russian strike in Poltava. Organizers created a map of Ukraine using umbrellas and displayed banners like “Let Ukraine Strike Back” and “Russia is a terrorist state.” The event, organized by Voice of Ukraine, urged increased US support and will continue with demonstrations in front of the US Embassy next week.

Czech Deputy PM Vít Rakušan has pledged salary increases for trade unions over the next three years amid planned protests. Unions were promised a 5 percent raise annually from 2025 to 2027. The protest, set to begin September 16, seeks fulfillment of past pay hike promises. Rakušan emphasized the importance of predictability, noting the Interior Ministry's record-high budget for 2024 at CZK 105 billion, CZK 5.5 billion more than this year.

Veverí Castle in Brno commemorated Winston Churchill Day on Saturday with military camp displays, exhibitions, and reenactments, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth. Hundreds of visitors attended the event, which featured historical artefacts, artillery demonstrations, and RAF exhibitions. Churchill visited Veverí Castle three times between 1906 and 1908, including during his honeymoon in 1908.

Czech police handed over 748 wanted persons to EU countries last year and received 490 in return, thanks to international cooperation. The 2023 report from the International Police Cooperation Directorate revealed 19 transfers to non-EU partners, while 36 people were returned to the Czech Republic. Police also recovered 333 stolen vehicles, including a jet ski, and participated in international security efforts at major events like the Olympic Games in Paris.

Hundreds gathered in Kovářská, North Bohemia on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 1944 air battle over the Ore Mountains. The event featured historic vehicles, military reenactments, and a memorial ceremony. The September 11, 1944, battle saw over 50 aircraft shot down in intense aerial combat between US and German forces near the Czech-German border.