Czech news in brief for June 24: Wednesday's top afternoon headlines

Czech President Petr Pavel has asked the Constitutional Court for a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit he filed over the government's move to exclude him from next month's NATO summit. If in Pavel's favor, a preliminary injunction would allow him to attend the summit before the court issues a final decision, which is expected to take longer.

Tensions escalate. The dispute between the president and government took a turn for the worse this week after Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Pavel wouldn't join the Czech delegation to Ankara, Turkey, leading the head of state to file a constitutional lawsuit.

Two people are facing criminal charges of hooliganism for their actions at the end of the Slavia vs. Sparta Prague derby football game in May, Czech police announced today. Nearly 100 more fans have been accused of committing an offense against public order, a misdemeanor that simply carries a fine of up to CZK 10,000.

More arrests possible. Several other masked people are still being investigated for using pyrotechnics during the riots, a police spokesman said, appealing to the public for help in identifying the perpetrators.

Last chance for Czechia's national team to advance to the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they face hosts Mexico on their home turf of Mexico City today (3 a.m. tonight Prague time). Seems like Miroslav Koubek's squad would need something of a small miracle after their defeat against South Korea and draw against South Africa in their first two matches. Already qualified, Mexico are unbeaten in 24 consecutive home games played at the Azteca Stadium and haven't conceded a single goal in the tournament yet.

Then again, being already certain to advance, Mexico could decide to play it safe, giving Czechs the opportunity they need, according to some pundits. All hope isn't lost.

It's hot, and about to get even hotter. The Czech Republic is experiencing an extreme heat wave, with temperatures expected to break record levels all across the country throughout the upcoming weekend. The all-time Czech record of 40.4 degrees recorded in August 2012 is also expected to be topped on Sunday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ).

What experts say. "We have experienced similar situations several times in the last ten years, but the warmest air has always remained over Western Europe, outside of our territory," stated ČHMÚ. This will not be the case this time.

The loved Summer Shakespeare Festival kicks off in Prague today with the production of The Comedy of Errors, one of the Bard's early and most mischievous plays, on the grounds of the Prague Castle. The 29th edition of the annual theater festival takes place in Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Bratislava, with plays running until September 5.

For English speakers. Most plays will be in Czech. However, several performances are planned in English in the middle of July. See the program here.