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Summary for: Czech news in brief for August 6: Thursday's top afternoon headlines
Czech experts warn of drone risk at airports
This afternoon's top story
Czech experts warn of drone risk at airports
The recent incident at Leipzig airport in Germany, where an armed drone possibly from Russia collided with a DHL cargo plane, has set off alarm bells across Europe and in Czechia. According to Michal Benes from the Prague-based Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czechia lacks comprehensive solutions on how to mitigate that threat. "The biggest weakness in our protection against drones is that we are more limited in how we can neutralize them, and consequently in our response time," he said.
What happened in Leipzig? German police have confirmed that the drone was "carrying an unknown explosive device", although it did not explode, with initial reports pointing the finger at a Russian-orchestrated plot. This is the first time an armed drone is found so deep into EU territory and so far from the Ukrainian front line.
More top headlines
Trump as unpopular as Putin in Czechia
Both disliked by about 80 percent of the Czech population, U.S. President Donald Trump is as unpopular as Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to a new poll by the Ipsos agency looking at how Czechs view different world leaders. With just 6 percent of positive opinions, only North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un fares worse than the American and Russian presidents.
Better grades. Positively assessed by a third of the population, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte topped the survey, ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
South Bohemian rivers at record low levels
Almost all rivers in the South Bohemian region are facing historically low water levels due to the lack of precipitation and heightened evaporation rates, hydrologist Tomáš Vlasák told the Czech News Agency. Water has even stopped flowing in some smaller streams while some larger waterways have just about 5-10 centimeters of water.
Exceptional situation. According to Vlasák, Czechia has never experienced such water shortages in recent times and so early in the summer, with past droughts usually starting to impact river levels by the end of August or beginning of September.
Pavel would defeat Babiš in 2028 presidential runoff
An exclusive NMS pro Novinky survey finds Petr Pavel would still beat Andrej Babiš in a rematch of their 2023 runoff. Pavel leads as the most popular potential candidate at 39 percent support, well ahead of Babiš (15 percent) and Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (11 percent), who has already ruled out running. Neither Pavel nor Babiš has confirmed a candidacy yet.
Reading the numbers: Opposition voters back Pavel strongly; ANO voters back Babiš. Motorists voters are split, with 37 percent saying they wouldn't vote in a second round at all.
Pastrňák tops Czech athlete pay rankings for third straight year
Boston Bruins forward David Pastrňák remains the highest-paid Czech athlete, earning the equivalent of CZK 275 million last season, per Forbes' new ranking of the 25 highest-earning Czech athletes, though that's CZK 30 million less than the year before. Eight of the top ten spots went to ice hockey players.
Beyond the ice: Football's Patrik Schick (3rd, CZK 195 million) and Tomáš Souček (5th) cracked the top ten, while poker player Martin Kabrhel is the highest earner outside hockey and football at 17th. Tennis's Karolína Muchová ranked 19th.
Czech film wins 'student Oscar'
The Czech movie Volklore by FAMU's Viktoria Štěpánová has won the Student Oscar in the alternative and experimental film category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today, along with two other finalists. The final awards will be presented on September 14 at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.
Blissful joy. "I feel like I am in another universe, in another reality," Štěpánová reacted after the announcement. An experimental video essay, Volklore explores how Czech folklore is transforming and reshaped in the age of social media.
A man of many talents
President Pavel joins Sports Journalists' Club
Czech President Petr Pavel has joined the Sports Journalists' Club (KSN) as a freelance photographer, the organization announced this week. A former NATO general and the fourth president of independent Czech Republic, Pavel is also known for being a massive motorcycle fan and regular attendee to major racing events.
Presidential portfolio. Pavel is a long-time motorsport photographer, and has recently photographed events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France and the Czech MotoGP Grand Prix in Brno.
POLL RESULTS: We asked readers if they experienced overheated trams this summer after Prague tram drivers have been saying that broken AC is putting them and passenger under pressure. A vast majority, about 80 percent, says they have, and 5 percent of respondents said they tend to avoid trams in hot weather.
