Czech news in brief for August 1: Thursday's top headlines

A large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and the U.S. includes Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist who lived in the Czech Republic and worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the BBC reports. US media reported that Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan would return from Russia as part of the exchange.

Police will enhance security at next week’s Prague Pride festival due to threats linked to a recent event in Bratislava. More officers and detectives will be deployed, including riot police, anti-conflict teams, and patrols with long guns. A police helicopter and riot unit will also be present. Despite no specific threats to Prague, measures have increased following Slovak National Crime Agency information about a planned attack on Bratislava’s Rainbow Pride. Thousands are expected at the event, culminating in a parade on Aug. 10.

The European Union’s unemployment rate in June remained at 6 percent, unchanged from May, according to Eurostat. The Czech Republic reported the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent, followed by Poland at 3 percent. The eurozone’s unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, up slightly from 6.4 percent in May. Spain had the highest unemployment rate at 11.5 percent, with Greece following at 9.6 percent. Youth unemployment remained high, at 25.9 percent in Spain and 22.5 percent in Greece.

 The Czech National Bank (ČNB) reduced its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 4.5 percent today, the lowest since February 2022. This aligns with market expectations after four previous half-point cuts. The ČNB also lowered the lombard and discount rates by the same margin to 5.5 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

Czechia recorded 149 new HIV cases from January to June 2024, up 17 cases from the same period last year but slightly down from 2022. Foreigners accounted for 42% of new diagnoses, including HIV-positive Ukrainian refugees. Sexual transmission remains the primary mode of infection, with homosexual intercourse responsible for 55% of cases. Since 1985, 4,768 people have been infected with HIV, and 802 have developed AIDS.

According to a medical report released today, President Petr Pavel is fit to carry out all presidential duties. The report from the Central Military Hospital indicates Pavel is stable with no significant health issues but needs to continue medication to manage cholesterol and uric acid levels. Pavel underwent examinations in June and July, including cancer screenings, and has been advised to maintain his current treatment regimen.

The Central European Rally, part of the World Rally Championship, will again take place in the Czech Republic in October 2025. The event, which also features stages in Germany and Austria, will be the twelfth of the fourteen-race series. The 2025 calendar, revealed by the FIA, includes new venues in Paraguay and Saudi Arabia, while Spain returns with a new location in the Canary Islands. The championship will start in January with the Monte Carlo Rally and conclude in Saudi Arabia in November.

Meteorologists have declared a smog alert for Central Bohemia, Ústí Region, and Prague due to high levels of ground-level ozone. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute advises limiting physical exertion to reduce breathing strain. Elevated ozone levels, caused by high temperatures and intense sunlight, have been recorded at Prague and Ústí nad Labem monitoring stations. The alert mainly affects individuals with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children.

According to Forbes, hockey forward David Pastrňák is now the highest-paid Czech athlete, earning 310 million crowns last season. The Boston star overtook soccer player Patrik Schick, who fell to third behind hockey player Tomáš Hertl. The rankings, which include salaries and sponsorships, also feature seven hockey players in the top ten. Notably, tennis player Markéta Vondroušová and soccer player Tomáš Souček made the list.