News

Hundreds of dogs in Czechia require blood transfusions each year, but owners often have to find donors themselves because the country lacks a nationwide network of veterinary blood banks. To mark World Blood Donor Day, the organization Červená tlapka is encouraging owners to register their dogs as blood donors. Its online database currently includes around 1,300 dogs, with a goal of expanding to at least 1,500. Healthy dogs aged between two and eight years, weighing at least 20 kilograms and with no previous transfusions, are eligible to donate. Veterinarians say suitable donors are usually found through clinics, the registry, or social media.  

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motoristé) says the Czech government wants to normalize relations with China to the level of other European countries, mainly to support Czech exporters. Speaking on TV Nova, he said Czechia should remain cautious but should avoid giving Beijing the impression that it supports Taiwan’s independence. Macinka also criticized Senate speaker Miloš Vystrčil’s (ODS) recent visit to Taiwan, saying it was not a neutral trip. Opposition leader Vít Rakušan (STAN) argued that good relations with Taiwan are pragmatic, pointing to Taiwanese investments in Czechia and warning of Chinese cyberattacks and espionage risks.

Czech Olympic champions Martin Fuksa and Josef Dostál both claimed gold medals at the European Canoe Sprint Championships in Portugal on Saturday. Fuksa won the men’s C1 1,000 metres after edging Russia’s Zakhar Petrov in a dramatic finish, securing his 14th European title and extending his unbeaten run this season. Dostál was initially second in the men’s K1 500 metres but was promoted to first after Poland’s Alex Borucki was disqualified. The victory gave Dostál his fifth European title. Earlier in the day, he finished fourth in the K1 1,000 metres final.

Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský is set to become the largest shareholder in West Ham United after increasing his stake from 27 to 43 percent. His company, 1890s Holdings, is acquiring additional shares from club chair Vanessa Gold, with the transaction expected to be completed within weeks. The ownership change follows allegations of sexual misconduct against co-owner David Sullivan, who has stepped down from his leadership roles at the club while denying the claims. Křetínský and Gold said their priority is to stabilise West Ham, retain key players and secure an immediate return to the Premier League following the club’s relegation.