Czech news in brief for July 11: Saturday's top morning headlines

Good morning! Today, Czech politics takes center stage heading into the weekend as a coalition dispute emerges over the country’s contribution to a program funding U.S. military equipment for Ukraine. The SPD party has raised objections over the CZK 140 million payment, arguing the decision should have been discussed within the government first.

Meanwhile, another piece of Czech heritage faces a sad future: A fire has severely damaged a landmark building in Zlín’s former Baťa shoe factory complex, with officials saying the structure cannot be saved. Find out what happened, along with the latest headlines from Czechia, in today’s news mix.

The Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party has criticized Czechia's contribution of about CZK 140 million to a program financing U.S. military equipment for Ukraine, saying the decision should have been discussed within the governing coalition first. SPD leader Tomio Okamura said the funds have already been transferred and the move cannot be reversed.

Coalition divided: Okamura said the party objects to the process rather than the amount, arguing the funding conflicts with the coalition's policy commitments. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said he would clarify the decision with coalition partners, while Motorists lawmaker Filip Turek denied the dispute amounted to a coalition crisis.

A high-rise building in the former Baťa shoe factory complex in central Zlín cannot be saved after a major fire caused partial collapse, Mayor Jiří Korec said Friday. Firefighters have brought the blaze under control, but the remaining structure is unstable and will likely need to be demolished.

Developing situation: Roads and pedestrian access around the site will remain restricted through Monday. Police are investigating the fire as suspected public endangerment through negligence after it reportedly began in a warehouse on the building's ninth floor.

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will visit Israel next week for talks on bilateral relations, accompanied by a delegation representing about three dozen Czech companies. The two-day trip will include a Czech-Israeli business forum and meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and other officials.

Czech-Israeli cooperation: Macinka and Saar are expected to sign a joint ministerial statement during the visit. Earlier this year, Macinka also renewed support for relocating the Czech Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, though any decision would require government approval.

The Prague Stock Exchange extended its gains Friday, with the PX index rising 0.75 percent to its highest level since April. Shares in energy company ČEZ led the advance with a 3 percent gain, while most major financial stocks also closed higher.

Climbing back to record high: The PX index finished the shortened trading week up 0.47 percent despite lower summer trading volumes. The Czech koruna strengthened slightly against the euro to CZK 24.24, while remaining unchanged against the U.S. dollar at CZK 21.22.

The 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will conclude Saturday with a final full day of screenings, guest events and the closing ceremony. The program includes a KVIFF Talk with Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Travis Bacon, awards presentations, and the announcement of competition winners.

Anniversary fest closes: The closing ceremony will feature President’s Awards for Jeffrey Wright and Magda Vášáryová, while Juliette Binoche will receive the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. The closing film will be The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.