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Scientists warn that some butterfly species are disappearing from the Czech countryside at an alarming rate. But opinion is divided as to the root cause. Some see it as a stemming from intensive farming and forest mismanagement on the local level. Others believe global climate change is to blame.

One-hundred and 30 people died on Czech railways in the first seven months of this year, when 740 accidents were recorded. July alone saw 10 rail deaths, the highest number recorded in a single month in over a decade.

This week Prague has been hosting the 11th International Conference of Czech Schools Abroad. The regular event is organised by the Czech School Without Borders, an NGO that has been helping expand knowledge of the Czech language and culture for 15 years. This year the conference has featured an added tribute to the Velvet Revolution.

Scientists from the Czech Technical University are currently working in the desert in the United Arab Emirates testing a unique device that creates water out of the air using solar energy. After the trial run is completed, a smaller version of the equipment will be presented at the Czech pavilion at the Expo in Dubai in autumn 2020.

Hundreds of Czech scouts are currently in the United States taking part in the movement’s World Jamboree, which is being attended by 40,000 people from all around the globe. I spoke to Czech Radio’s reporter Jakub Lucký, who is on the ground in West Virginia, and asked him to tell me more about the Czech presence at this year’s international gathering:

Final preparations are being made for the ninth edition of the Prague Pride festival. For the first time this year the LGBT rainbow flag will be flown at the city’s Town Hall during the week-long event, which culminates with a massive city centre parade on Saturday August 10. I discussed the theme of the 2019 Prague Pride, and more, with spokesperson Bohdana Rambousková.

Czech archaeologists are using plain white sugar to preserve what may be the oldest wooden structure ever discovered in Europe – a water well made of oak trees felled some 7,000 years ago. The well was unearthed earlier this year during the construction of the D35 highway as an isolated find, bearing marks of construction techniques used in the Bronze and Iron ages.

Months after tendering his resignation, Antonín Staněk finally steps down as arts minister on Wednesday. He will be replaced in a temporary capacity by a deputy minister, though what will happen next at the Ministry of Culture remains most unclear.

A new study carried out by an international team of scientists, including experts from Palacký University in Olomouc, has ascertained that animals are not responding fast enough to the changing environmental conditions. The alarming findings have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.

After weeks of speculation regarding the Czech Republic’s nominee for European commissioner, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš arrived for talks with European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen with a single name in his briefcase: Věra Jourová, the current commissioner for justice, consumer protection and gender equality. The prime minister is hoping that her experience could help the country acquire a more ambitious portfolio.