Czech news in brief for July 1: Tuesday's top headlines

Scabies cases are rising sharply in Prague, with 300 infections reported by June—over half of last year’s total, officials from the State Institute of Public Health said Monday. The parasitic disease, spread through close contact or shared textiles, causes intense itching. Nationwide, over 4,400 cases were recorded by May, with the worst outbreak in Moravian-Silesia. Health officials warn the number may surpass last year’s if the trend continues. The infection spreads easily in crowded settings, and cases are linked to travel.

Herman Geist, a U.S. World War II veteran who helped liberate Plzen and western Bohemia, died June 28 in the U.S. at age 100, Plzen officials announced Monday. Geist, a former lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Division, entered Plzen on May 6, 1945. He was a regular guest at the city’s annual Liberation Festival. Officials honored him with flowers at memorials, and a condolence book is available at the town hall for public messages in the coming days.

Czech Railways have begun testing Starlink satellite internet from SpaceX on its InterPanter trains, officials have announced. The pilot project, running on routes between Brno, Prague, and Olomouc, will evaluate internet stability and passenger benefits over three months. Transport Minister Martin Kupka said results will guide future use. The state-owned operator partnered with Škoda Group and others to install and monitor the system, aiming to improve connectivity in areas lacking reliable mobile coverage.

Czech government debt rose by CZK 202 billion year-on-year to CZK 3.54 trillion in the first quarter, the Czech Statistical Office said Monday. The debt ratio grew to 43.4 percent of GDP from 43.1 percent last year. The quarterly deficit reached CZK 73.6 billion, or 3.7 percent of GDP. Central government debt increased, while local governments ran a surplus. Revenues rose 4.5 percent due to higher taxes and social contributions; spending rose 5.5 percent on wages, benefits, and subsidies.

The Czech manufacturing sector grew in June for the first time since May 2022, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 50.2, finance firm S&P Global reported Tuesday. A PMI above 50 signals expansion. The uptick was driven by improved demand and new orders, though growth remained modest. Chief economist Sian Jones noted rising output but flagged ongoing weakness in hiring and input purchases. Analysts welcomed the result but cautioned against reading it as a strong recovery.

The first week of July will bring tropical temperatures across the Czech Republic, possibly reaching 37 degrees Celsius on Thursday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The second week is expected to cool slightly, with highs around 24 degrees Celsius and lows near 12 degrees Celsius. By mid-to-late July, temperatures should return to seasonal averages, with daily highs around 26 degrees Celsius. Forecasters note greater uncertainty for the latter half of the month as weather patterns become more variable.

Czech traffic fatalities dropped to 181 in the first half of 2025, down from 204 during the same period last year, according to police data released Monday. However, June saw 44 deaths, 21 more than in March, making it the deadliest month so far. The most tragic day was June 15, when eight people died—matching a 2019 record. Despite the overall decrease, officials note June remains a persistent high-risk month for road fatalities.

Firefighters nearly extinguished a forest fire Monday in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, where flames broke out near the village of Mariina vyhlídka. The blaze, spanning 100 meters in rugged terrain, was stopped with help from nine fire units and a Black Hawk helicopter. No injuries were reported. Crews continue to monitor for flare-ups. The fire's cause is under investigation. A drought-related fire warning remains in effect across the Usti region through Tuesday due to high temperatures.

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man accused of robbing cash registers and mailboxes in Prague 10 nine times late last year, using an open umbrella to hide his actions. He caused damages totaling CZK 300,000 and stole electronics, pet food, and other goods. Initially treated as separate cases, the burglaries were later linked. The suspect, already in custody for other crimes, has been charged with theft and faces up to three years in prison, police said Monday.

Czech tennis player Barbora Krejčíková begins her Wimbledon title defense Tuesday against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, despite a recent thigh injury. Six Czech players, including Karolína Muchová, Kateřina Siniaková, Tomáš Macháč and Jakub Menšík, are set to compete in singles. On Monday, Jiří Lehečka, Markéta Vondroušová, Linda Nosková and Marie Bouzková advanced, while Vít Kopřiva and Linda Fruhvirtová were eliminated. Retiring two-time champion Petra Kvitová will face 10th-seeded American Emma Navarro later today.

Ostrava-based Leseft International denied allegations by Ukrainian media that it mediated supplies for Russian missile components. Ukrainska Pravda reported the company ordered goods worth nearly CZK 500 million for Russian clients since the invasion of Ukraine. Managing director Lev Seferjan dismissed the claims as false and damaging. The report followed remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about companies aiding Russia. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said no evidence supports such claims involving Czech firms.