Czech news in brief for April 27: Sunday's top headlines

Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová called Saturday’s meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump a breakthrough. Other Czech politicians also welcomed the talks, held at the Vatican during Pope Francis' funeral. Some warned, however, that any peace plan must respect international law and not reward aggression. The White House described the meeting as productive, Reuters reported.

Over the weekend, nighttime temperatures in Czechia fell to as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius, with freezing conditions mainly in the mountains. The cold reached lowland areas as well, with temperatures dipping below zero in places like Liberec and Děčín. Meteorologists expect more frost tonight, which could damage early crops. Temperatures will gradually warm up starting Tuesday.

More than 75 percent of high school students in Czechia regularly use artificial intelligence in their studies, with nearly half using it at least weekly. Some even use AI in cases where it's not permitted. A survey conducted by Creative Dock and Elin.ai among 1,000 students from 62 schools revealed that Czech education is struggling to adapt to the rise of AI, with half of schools failing to implement clear guidelines for its use.

According to a recent STEM poll, the ANO party would win Czech parliamentary elections with 32.2 percent of the vote. The governing Spolu coalition trails at 19.5 percent, while the SPD is third at 11.6 percent. The Starostové party follows with 10.1 percent. Other parties such as the Pirates, Stačilo!, and Motoristé sobě would also pass the 5 percent threshold. ANO would secure 77 seats, with Spolu earning 46.

Slavia Prague secured the Czech football league title on Saturday with a 5-0 win over Olomouc, leading Viktoria Pilsen by 16 points with five rounds left. Slavia will play in the Champions League next season. It is their eighth league title overall and fourth under coach Jindřich Trpišovský. Meanwhile, Dynamo České Budějovice confirmed relegation after losing 2-1 to Mladá Boleslav.

The March for Life in Prague was blocked by abortion rights supporters near Old Town Square, who prevented the march from reaching Wenceslas Square. Police arrested about 30 protestors suspected of misdemeanors. Several hundred people attended both the pro-life event and the counter-protest. The march, organized by the Movement for Life, began with a mass at St. Vitus Cathedral and was halted after demonstrators sat down in the street.

Ostrava commemorated the 80th anniversary of its liberation Saturday with a reenactment of a 1945 battle. Around 250 participants and 20 pieces of military equipment took part, using blank ammunition with functional weapons—an increasingly rare practice. The event was part of wider celebrations that will culminate in a memorial on April 30. The Moravia–Ostrava offensive, which freed the city, was one of the largest WWII battles on Czechoslovak territory.

Ludvík Kavin, Czech theatre director, translator, and Charter 77 signatory, died Saturday in Vienna at 81, his family said Saturday. Kavin co-founded Theater Brett in Vienna with his wife, a hub for Czechoslovak émigrés. After 1989, he returned to work in Brno. A key figure in exile cultural life, he also led Vienna’s branch of the dissident Palach Press agency.

Czech judo champion Lukáš Krpálek earned bronze at the European Championship in Podgorica, defeating Ukraine's Jevhenij Baljevskyi by ippon in the 100+ kg category. This marks Krpálek's seventh European medal, adding to the two-medal achievement for Czech judo. Krpálek lost in the semifinals to Russian Inal Tasoev, who claimed gold. This is Czech judo's most successful championship since 1989.

About 150 locals protested Saturday against plans for a nuclear waste repository at Březový potok in West Bohemia. During the Day Against the Repository event in Velký Bor, protesters blocked the main road with banners. Firefighters monitored traffic. Four sites are under consideration after rejected appeals. Municipalities plan to sue, citing poor communication and environmental concerns, organizers and local officials said.

Residents of Nove Heřminovy voted Friday to approve building a long-planned dam that will partly flood their village. In a binding referendum, 127 of 146 participants supported the project. Mayor Michaela Hermanová said the vote opens new negotiations with authorities. The dam, under discussion since 1997, is aimed at protecting downstream towns like Krnov and Opava after repeated costly floods.