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A number of well-known personalities and representatives of minorities have signed a petition calling on democratic-minded parties to publicly distance themselves from political marketing that stirs up hatred in society. The call came in response to a campaign by the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party which put up billboards of Romani boys smoking cigarettes which the signatories described as “openly racist” and “an unacceptable abuse of children in campaigning". The petition was signed by theatre director Břetislav Rychlík, the director of the Museum of Romani Culture, Jana Horváthová, musician Iva Bittová, auxiliary bishop of Prague and Charter 77 signatory Václav Malý, priest Tomáš Halík, former politician Petr Pithart and director of the Romea organization Zdeněk Ryšavý.

The Czech government is set to broaden its espionage laws to criminalize the unauthorized disclosure of non-public or private information that could endanger national security. This move follows calls from domestic intelligence agencies, including the Security Information Service (BIS), to address gaps in the current legislation. Czechia is one of the countries where Russian intelligence services have been particularly aggressive. The new law will introduce a criminal offense termed "unauthorized activity for a foreign power," carrying penalties of up to five years in prison, or up to 15 years in cases of a heightened threat or war. The change aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to counter hostile intelligence activities on Czech soil.

The 19th annual Globsec security conference kicked off with a music festival on Prague's Štvanice Island on Thursday. The event featured performances by prominent Czech artists. Some conference participants, including Globsec founder and president Róbert Vass, also spoke. The conference, previously held in Bratislava, has moved to Prague and will run from August 30 to September 1 at the Hilton Hotel. Around 2,000 guests from over 70 countries are expected, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, 10 Prime Ministers and Presidents, and a strong Ukrainian delegation.

A new memorial was unveiled on Thursday in Ostrava-Zábřeh to honor the victims of the heaviest bombing of Ostrava during World War II. On August 29, 1944, 400 American bombers targeted industrial facilities, but many bombs hit residential areas, resulting in over 400 civilian deaths. The 2.5-meter-tall memorial, created by Ostrava sculptor Lukáš Dvorský, is made of special steel that will develop a uniform rusty appearance over time. Located near the "V Troskách" street, the memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation caused by the bombing, which destroyed 123 buildings and damaged 1,500 more.