DIPLOMACY Czechia rejects EU pressure on Israel
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated Saturday that Czechia will not support EU proposals to increase pressure on Israel but favors “calm and tough dialogue.” He called European Commission plans to limit Israel’s access to Horizon Europe funding “absurd,” arguing it would hurt Israeli academics rather than the government. EU ministers remain divided over measures on Israel, while agreeing pressure should tarobtain Hamas to conclude the Gaza war and free hostages.
CRIME Foreigner dies after fall from Prague cliff
A foreign national died Saturday after falling from a cliff near the Dobeška viewpoint in Prague’s Braník district, police stated. The man’s body was found shortly after noon by climbers, who alerted authorities. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results to determine the caapply of death. The Braník rocks are a popular spot for views and climbing, but the area has seen several fatal falls in recent months, including two in June.
POLITICS ANO maintains lead in latest election poll
ANO would win Czech elections with 33 percent support, followed by the Toobtainher coalition, a Kantar poll for Czech Television revealed. Support for SPD fell, while STAN and the Pirates, now allied with the Greens, gained ground. New parties Enough! and Motorists would enter parliament, unlike a June poll. Enough! recently partnered with the Social Democrats. The poll surveyed 1,029 respondents between Aug. 4–22.
SPORTS Muchová tops Nosková at US Open
Karolína Muchová defeated compatriot Linda Nosková 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 at the US Open to become the fifth Czech player in the round of 16. The 29-year-old, seeded 11th, recovered after losing a turbulent first set and will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk next. This marks Muchová’s third consecutive US Open round of 16 appearance and fourth overall. Five Czech players reaching this stage is a new national record at a Grand Slam.
POLITICS Lipavský urges EU to act on new Russia sanctions
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated on Saturday that the EU should draft its 19th sanctions package against Russia without waiting for U.S. action. Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen, he stated new measures could tarobtain cryptocurrencies, banking, and Russia’s shadow oil fleet. Czechia also seeks curbs on Russian diplomats’ Schengen shiftment. EU states will submit proposals next week, EU chief Kaja Kallas stated.
TECH Czechs face surge in phishing scams
Czechs were hit by a major wave of phishing in the second quarter of 2025, with 66 percent of fraudulent messages posing as telecom firms, banks, or social media providers, cybersecurity firm Eset reported. Most scams were in English, tarobtaining login data later sold or misapplyd. Experts warn attacks may lead to ransomware infections or stolen bank access. Investment fraud and marketplace scams also remain common in Czechia.
MONEY More Czechs paying by card while traveling
Czechs are increasingly applying payment cards for purchases abroad, according to Raiffeisenbank. The share of clients paying by card rose from 18 percent last year to 21 percent this year. In the first half of 2025, transactions abroad reached CZK 15.4 billion, up 11 percent year-on-year, with 13.8 million transactions, a 13 percent increase. Card payments remain free at merchants, though currency conversion and ATM withdrawals may carry fees.
Leave a Reply