Czech news in brief for August 12: Monday's top headlines

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) forecasts a potentially record-breaking hot week in the Czech Republic, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and possibly reaching over 35 degrees in South Moravia on Wednesday. From Tuesday, local thunderstorms may bring torrential rain and small hail, especially in Šumava and western Bohemia. The second half of the week will be unpleasant due to higher humidity, though the weekend's cooling will be minor. Temperatures in Prague will peak at 33 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

According to a press release by the NMS Market Research agency, 60 percent of Czechs support restrictions on alcohol advertising on TV and radio, and similar numbers favor health warnings on alcohol packaging, similar to cigarette packs. The survey indicates that only about one-third support higher excise taxes on beer and wine, while 60 percent oppose it. Although 51 percent of of regular drinkers favor warning labels, support is even higher at 87 percent for health warnings on energy-drink packaging. 

President Petr Pavel this afternoon congratulated Czech athletes for their performance at the Summer Olympics in Paris and thanked them for representing the country on the X network today. He praised their hard work, determination, and sacrifice, as well as the support of their teams and families. He also commended the Czech Olympic team for organizing the Olympic Festival in Most, which he and his wife visited in August. The Czech Republic won three gold and two bronze medals, the fewest in its independent history.

Czechia has confirmed that it is sending a team of 75 firefighters and rescuers, approved by senior members of the Czech cabinet to help Greece battle wildfires. The team, consisting of 64 firefighters, 7 Prague rescue service members, and 4 technical support staff, will leave on Tuesday. The request for assistance was made under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and a total of 670 firefighters, 17 aircraft, and 15 helicopters are currently fighting the fire near Athens.

Due to its prosperity, the Czech Republic may receive up to CZK 126 billion less from EU funds in the next subsidy period. Despite this, it will remain a net beneficiary due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war. Up to 40 percent of Czech investments are EU-funded. The transport sector is preparing for reduced funding by focusing on public-private partnerships. The EU is set to allocate nearly CZK 127 billion to Czech transport by 2027.

Participants in the Prague Pride march emphasized Sunday that despite improved attitudes toward sexual minorities, Czechia still lacks marriage equality. They called for the legalization of same-sex marriage and highlighted the importance of continued advocacy. Tens of thousands attended the event, including celebrities, politicians, and foreign diplomats. While same-sex civil partnerships will gain more rights under a new amendment, adoption rights remain restricted. Activists vow to keep pushing for full equality.

Nearly 70,000 visitors, mainly families with children, attended the Olympic Festival at Lake Most, which concluded today. The event featured a fan zone and 52 sports, drawing significant interest, especially in athletics. Festival director Nada Cerna noted that 40 percent of attendees were children under 12. President Petr Pavel and Olympic athletes praised the festival, which aimed to inspire youth participation in sports.

The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the nights of Aug. 12 and 13, offering up to 80 meteors per hour between midnight and 4 a.m. Ideal observation conditions require traveling far from city lights. The Perseids, visible annually from July 17 to Aug. 24, are best seen in dark, open skies. Historically known as the "Tears of Saint Lawrence," the phenomenon has been observed since the third century.

In January, the Czech government plans to increase the average pension by CZK 355 per month, a 1.7 percent legally mandated hike. However, pensions will not grow equally, with those receiving higher pensions getting a slightly more significant increase. Opposition parties, ANO and SPD, argue the increase should be more significant due to inflation, but the government cites budget constraints as the reason for the modest adjustment.