Czech news in brief for June 7: Saturday's top headlines

President Petr Pavel said Saturday that everything must be done to end the war in Ukraine and prevent any conflict from reaching Czechia. Speaking at WWII memorials in Šumava, Pavel honored fallen U.S. soldiers and warned against repeating history. He stressed that peace must not be taken for granted and drew parallels between WWII and today’s geopolitical tensions, saying the current war also costs lives “absurdly and needlessly.”

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has canceled a storm warning for eastern Moravia originally issued for Saturday afternoon and evening. Severe storms are no longer expected, as weather models now show storm activity shifting toward Austria and Slovakia. Earlier in the week, strong storms with heavy rain, hail up to 7 cm, and wind gusts near 100 km/h affected parts of Moravia and Silesia. No weather alerts are currently in effect.

E-cigarettes in Czechia will no longer be allowed to resemble toys, sweets, or feature images appealing to children under new Health Ministry rules. The draft regulation also bans sweeteners, cannabis extracts, and other psychoactive substances in vape liquids. The aim is to reduce appeal among youth, as over 25 percent of people aged 15–24 now use e-cigarettes. EU approval is required since the changes impact the single market.

The ETCS safety system was functioning when a passenger train passed a stop signal in Letovice Thursday evening, according to the Rail Safety Inspection. Human error is suspected, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The train narrowly avoided a collision, stopping 53 meters from a stationary express. The incident caused minor infrastructure damage. ETCS is designed to prevent such situations by overriding driver mistakes and is being gradually deployed across Czech railways.

Czechia joined 10 other EU states in backing a Dutch-led letter warning that EU bureaucracy is hindering military readiness. Defence Minister Jana Černochová signed the letter urging EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to ease environmental and procurement rules. The ministers cite growing threats, including Russia’s aggression, and call for reforms to allow training space and base expansion. The Commission plans a proposal this month.

Verbal abuse of teachers by pupils is on the rise in Czech primary schools, according to Scio’s Map of Schools survey. The share of teachers experiencing vulgar behavior grew from 9.7 percent in 2022 to 17 percent in 2025. Nearly one in ten teachers reported fearing a pupil. Reports of name-calling and humiliation among students also increased, while satisfaction with classroom behavior has declined.

Czechia's women's volleyball team shocked the U.S. team 3–2 in the Nations League in Rio, rallying from two sets down. After losing 23–25 and 20–25, the Czechs took the next sets 25–17 and 25–20, then won the tie-break 27–25. It was their first win against the Olympic silver medalists. Monika Brancuská led with 23 points. The match marked Czechia’s first win under coach Jannis Athanasopoulos.

Most Czechs would like to retire by 60, but nearly two-thirds doubt state pensions will cover their needs, an Ipsos survey for OVB Allfinanz shows. Many cite fatigue and health issues, while better-off respondents want time to enjoy retirement. Nearly half don’t know their expected pension amount. Experts warn Czechs save improperly and urge regular investing of at least 10 percent of income.

Czech climber Adam Ondra will end his competitive bouldering career today at the World Cup in Prague. The 32-year-old advanced to the semifinals as the only Czech and is aiming for a spot in tonight’s final. Ondra, a former world champion, will now focus solely on lead climbing due to shoulder strain from the modern bouldering style. He placed second and sixth in the past two Prague editions.

Czech police officers stationed on Greece’s Kos island helped save a man who suffered a serious head injury in an electric scooter accident, police said Thursday. On patrol under Frontex, the EU’s border agency, they found the unconscious man and administered first aid until medics arrived. The officers are among 140 Czech police deployed this year to assist in EU border operations.

LGBTQ+ activists at Prague’s Pride Business Forum warn that workplace conditions may worsen amid growing conservative backlash. Citing trends in the U.S. under Donald Trump, they urged Czech companies to prepare for potential shifts. Speakers called for EU-wide standards to protect diversity. OECD data show Czechs least likely to notice anti-LGBT discrimination, though LGBTQ+ people there report high harassment rates.