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The final day of the Rock for People festival in Hradec Králové opened with a performance by American progressive metal band Queensrÿche, kicking off a lineup of international heavy metal acts. The band performed songs from its landmark 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime alongside other classics. British heavy metal veterans Saxon were also due to perform before Iron Maiden closes the 31st edition of the festival. Earlier headliners included Gorillaz, Limp Bizkit, Bring Me the Horizon and Halsey. Organizers said the festival, which sold around 50,000 tickets, was virtually sold out and recently received the European Festival Award for event safety.

Freedom and Direct Democracy Party (SPD) leader Tomio Okamura said during a televised debate that he would immediately end temporary protection for Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion if it were up to him, arguing that too many refugees are living in Czechia. Civic Democratic Party (ODS) chairman Martin Kupka condemned the remarks as “outrageous” and said they justified critics who describe Okamura as a “commercial fascist.” Kupka argued that around 400,000 Ukrainian refugees help fill labor shortages in sectors such as construction, healthcare and social services, while also helping Czechia qualify for an exemption from parts of the EU migration pact. Nearly 398,000 Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection status in the country.

The Czech Presidential Office has received 447 clemency requests since the start of the year, while President Petr Pavel has granted four pardons so far in 2026. Last year, the office received 1,196 applications, and Pavel granted 15 pardons. Since taking office in March 2023, he has approved 23. Since January 2024, the Presidential Office has handled all clemency applications directly, replacing the previous system under which the Ministry of Justice carried out the initial review. Under former presidents, clemency was used far more frequently, with Václav Havel granting more than 1,800 pardons during his presidential career.

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.