Czech news in brief for July 24: Friday's top morning headlines

Good morning, and welcome back to your daily mix of headlines. I’m returning from holiday with one eye still on the coastline, but plenty is happening here, from shifting China-Czech relations to a tragic loss in the Czech military.

China says it is ready to work with Czechia to “strengthen practical cooperation” and revive the countries’ traditional friendship. Still, the warmer tone raises questions about what it could mean for Prague’s close ties with Taiwan.

The Czech Army has confirmed that a female service member died in an accident, with President Petr Pavel expressing condolences to her family, colleagues, and fellow soldiers.

Later today, the Indian community will gather in a show of solidarity with protesters in India as unrest over the NEET-UG medical entrance exam leaks grows. See the full story below.

China wants to strengthen cooperation with Czechia and repair bilateral relations, a senior Communist Party leader told Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura (SPD) during meetings in Beijing this week, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Okamura said ahead of the trip that he hoped to boost Chinese tourism, restore direct flights and open business opportunities for Czech firms; Chinese officials reportedly praised the new government's more pragmatic approach to Beijing.

Still thawing: The diplomatic push comes as a Czech citizen remains in Chinese detention on suspicion of endangering national security, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka says the man was in China on a private trip, and as Beijing again condemned Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil's June visit to Taiwan, where he received one of the island's highest honors for foreign officials.

A female member of the 22nd Air Force Base in Náměšť nad Oslavou died when a Venom military helicopter crashed while landing from a routine training flight, roughly 50 meters above the ground; four other soldiers on board were injured, three moderately and one lightly. Chief of Staff Miroslav Hlaváč says the cause is under investigation and the army has grounded all Venom and Viper helicopters, including those supporting Polish airspace protection, until it's complete.

Grounded but staying put: Despite the suspension, Hlaváč said the helicopters currently assisting in Poland will not be withdrawn, with Warsaw expected to arrange interim replacements. American company Bell Textron, the manufacturer of the helicopters, is ready to cooperate with the military and investigating authorities.

Two Czech and Slovak Black Hawk helicopters will join the fight against massive wildfires in southwestern France, President Emmanuel Macron announced, after France activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Gironde fires have burned 4,800 hectares and forced roughly 20,000 evacuations; a separate blaze near Biscarrosse has burned over 2,500 hectares.

Not the first trip: Two Czech helicopters already helped fight French fires several weeks ago before returning home Monday.

Members of Prague's Indian community are organizing a peaceful rally this evening in support of India's student protest movement, sparked by allegations of a leaked medical entrance exam and a subsequent crackdown that rights groups say has turned violent. The demonstration runs 5-7 p.m., location still to be confirmed pending approval from Czech authorities.

What's behind it: Unrest over the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, taken by 2.2 million students in May, gave rise to the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical youth movement now backed by hundreds of thousands demanding exam fairness and accountability.

More than half of new cars sold in Czechia in the first half of 2026 came with automatic transmissions, up sharply from 2019 across every major brand; Toyota is now at 99 percent automatic. Most driving schools still teach almost exclusively in manual, though automatic-only lessons are more common in larger cities.

Know the restriction: An automatic-only license comes with a code restricting drivers to automatic vehicles; driving a manual on that license carries a fine of CZK 25,000 to 50,000, a one-to-two-year driving ban, and four penalty points. A rule change expected next year should lift that restriction for new automatic-license holders.

Another heat wave building. A heat dome could form over western Europe early next week and drift into Central Europe, with some models suggesting temperatures near 40°C by late next week and heat potentially lingering into early August.

Summer Film School opens. The 52nd Summer Film School kicks off today in Uherské Hradiště with guests including animator Michel Océlot, actress Ana Geislerová and director Roman Polanski's work in the lineup, running through July 30.

Trams inch closer to Wenceslas Square. Tracks are now being laid on the upper part of Wenceslas Square after two years of underground utility work, with tram service expected to return in about a year.