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Excavation work on Prague Metro's Line D has led to the unexpected discovery of fossils belonging to an entirely new species of prehistoric arthropod that lived around 448 million years ago.

Scientists have named the species Soomaspis labutai. It is said to resemble a cross between a spider and a trilobite.

Researchers say the most surprising aspect of the find is that its closest known relative was previously identified only in southern Africa. The discovery significantly changes scientific understanding of how these ancient creatures were distributed.

Much of Prague stands on rock formations dating back to the Paleozoic era, between 541 and 252 million years ago. Major construction works in the city regularly uncover fossils, including trilobites, cephalopods and ancient echinoderms.

Hundreds of firefighters continue battling a wildfire in the Czech Switzerland National Park for the fourth day now. Although the blaze was contained on Monday, officials say the danger is not yet over. Helicopters are still assisting the operation, though the number of firefighters has now been reduced by around one third, to 370.

Fire Rescue Service chief Vladimír Vlček said he hopes the blaze could be fully extinguished by Friday. He added that the affected area has now been reduced from around 100 hectares to some 20 hectares.

A two-day conference titled “Europe as a Task” opens at Prague Castle on Tuesday afternoon, with keynote speeches from Czech President Petr Pavel and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

The main focus of the debate is on European security, the defence industry, and the continent’s economic competitiveness.

Tuesday’s panels will feature Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Karel Havlíček and Confederation of Industry Vice President Radek Špicar.

President Stubb is in the Czech Republic for a two-day visit with talks focusing on security and cooperation in the defence industry. Later today, he and President Pavel will also meet Czech students of the College of Europe and interns working in EU institutions.

Regardless of when and how the conflict in Ukraine ends, Russia will continue to be the most serious security challenge for Europe. Czech President Petr Pavel agreed on this today with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb during talks in Prague. According to Pavel, it is therefore necessary to take joint steps not only within the European Union but also within the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). The Finnish president also spoke about Ukraine’s experience with modern warfare, which he described as unique and potentially beneficial for Europe.

“Instead of talking about what Ukraine needs from Europe, perhaps we should also start thinking about what we in Europe need from Ukraine,” the Finnish president said. In his view, Europe must move away from the mindset that it is only the one helping Ukraine.

The presidents discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to continue supporting the attacked country while working toward a peaceful solution, Pavel said. Stubb also praised the continuation of the Czech ammunition initiative, which is securing deliveries of artillery ammunition for Ukraine.