Czech news in brief for June 20: Friday's top headlines

A Czech court ruled that the government violated European law by freezing judges’ salaries this year, Czech Radio reported Friday. The decision, among the first on the issue, awarded one Ostrava judge CZK 9,000 in back pay. Justice Minister Eva Decroix said she will meet Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura to discuss compensation. The government had capped the pay base to save money, affecting judges’ and prosecutors’ salaries nationwide.

Police arrested a 28-year-old man Thursday for firing an airsoft pistol at trams, buses, cars, and homes in Ostrava and Bohumín, causing damage estimated at nearly 400,000 crowns. The incidents occurred Sunday and Monday, police said. No injuries were reported. The man, allegedly under the influence of drugs, faces charges of property damage, disorderly conduct, and attempted bodily harm. He could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Former Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedved is set to become manager of the Czech national and under-21 football teams, Czech Football Association chairman Davis Trunda announced Friday. The executive committee is expected to confirm the appointment Tuesday. Nedved, 52, captained the national team during his playing career and earned 98 caps, scoring 18 goals. He also played for Lazio and Juventus in Italy's top league.

The Czech Republic has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated diplomats to neighboring countries due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Daniel Drake said Friday. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský ordered the closure as a precaution. A few Czech citizens remain in Iran, registered through the ministry’s Drozd system, but none have requested repatriation. Officials continue to urge citizens to leave the country and provide consular help via an emergency hotline.

State-backed hackers from China and Russia pose equal cyber threats to Europe, Czech President Petr Pavel told the Financial Times. His warning follows a recent attack on the Czech Foreign Ministry by APT31, a group linked to China’s intelligence service. Czech officials described the breach as espionage, with attackers scanning unclassified documents. Pavel said cyberattacks from Beijing and Moscow are occurring at nearly the same level, underscoring rising concerns over digital security in Europe.

The Czech Republic’s foreign debt rose by CZK 31.9 billion in the first quarter to CZK 5.303 trillion, or 65.4 percent of GDP, the Czech National Bank reported today. Year-over-year, the debt increased by CZK 320.9 billion. Private sector liabilities made up 77.7 percent of the total. While government foreign debt fell slightly, banking and other sectors—mainly through inter-company loans—drove the overall increase. Other sectors accounted for 46.6 percent of the total debt.

Prague has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran amid escalating Israel-Iran hostilities. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky cited security concerns following Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and Iranian missile attacks on Israel. The closure is indefinite. Citizens in Iran can use an emergency consular line. Other European countries have also closed or limited services at their Tehran embassies.

Three Czech universities made the QS World University Rankings 2026 top 500: Charles University (265th), Czech Technical University (416th), and Masaryk University (430th). Rankings shifted slightly from last year. Eight Czech schools were in the top 1,000, down one from last year. Leaders like MIT and London universities topped global charts. Czech universities aim to improve their international standing.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts mostly dry weather with temperatures around 25°C through Saturday. Showers may occur only in mountainous areas today. Tropical heat will return Sunday, with highs reaching 30°C in Bohemia and up to 33°C on Monday, when thunderstorms are also expected. Nights will remain cool with lows below 10°C in places.

Prague city council approved acquiring the state’s 54.35 percent stake in the Prague Congress Center, gaining 100 percent ownership. The city will pay CZK 2.21 billion and transfer several properties to the state. Plans include building a new hall to boost congress tourism, expected to finish within five years. Officials say modern facilities are key to attracting wealthier visitors and reducing disruptive mass tourism.

The Venus of Věstonice, a 27,000-year-old clay figurine discovered 100 years ago, is one of humanity’s oldest artworks. A child’s fingerprint on its back reveals who touched it before firing. Now exhibited at the Moravian Museum in Brno on a rotating display, visitors can see this detail for the first time. The exhibition, open until July 13, marks the find’s centenary with special events and interactive features.