Czech news in brief for December 14: Saturday's top headlines

After prolonged inversion, the weather will change on Sunday as a cold front brings snow and strong winds to Czech mountains. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, 5-10 cm of fresh snow is expected, with wind gusts reaching 50 km/h at higher altitudes, creating ideal conditions for cross-country skiing. However, by Sunday evening, a warm front will bring rain and higher temperatures, with winds intensifying to 70 km/h on Monday. Cooler weather is forecast for the following weekend.

Czechia, alongside Denmark and Poland, will host the 2030 European Men’s Handball Championship, with the finals set to take place in Prague's O2 Arena. The European Handball Federation announced the decision at its congress in Vienna. This marks Czechia’s third successful bid for a major handball event, following the 2026 Women’s European Championship and the 2031 Women’s World Championship, both to be held in Brno.

A truck fire on the D1 highway has stopped traffic on the 209th kilometer heading toward Brno. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which began before noon as the truck carrying batteries caught fire. Police are diverting traffic to parallel routes, causing significant delays. The truck driver inhaled smoke but did not require hospital treatment. Drivers are advised to expect disruptions and seek alternative routes.

The Czech Ministry of Labour has proposed raising housing allowance calculations by 3.4 percent to match rising living costs. For example, a Prague senior couple paying CZK 18,000 in rent could receive CZK 6,498 monthly, CZK 569 more than this year. The change impacts normative costs, potentially boosting allowances by up to CZK 789 in large cities like Prague and Brno. Pending government approval, the increase could cost the state budget CZK 288 million.

More than 36,000 people in the Czech Republic were infected with whooping cough this year, marking the highest incidence in six decades. The current vaccine is less effective, particularly affecting adolescents and seniors. Health experts recommend frequent re-vaccination, especially for those working with children or elderly individuals. The situation is not unique to the Czech Republic, as similar outbreaks have been seen across Europe.

The Czech government is set to discuss a proposed increase in state support for employing disabled individuals next year, from the current CZK 15,700 to CZK 17,300. The following year, it could increase further to CZK 18,600. This proposal, which will be reviewed on Wednesday, aims to counter potential job losses among the disabled and encourage employers to create new positions. Despite its societal benefits, the Ministry of Finance opposes the proposal, citing budget constraints and the need for a balanced approach.

Courier companies in the Czech Republic are reaching their busiest week as Christmas nears. To ensure timely delivery, customers are advised to place orders by Dec. 18. Major carriers including Czech Post, Zásilkovna, and PPL are continuing to accept packages, but there’s no guarantee of delivery before Christmas for items ordered after Dec. 20. Czech Post is handling around 400,000 packages per day this week, up from 250,000 in November.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has expanded an ice warning to include Prague and parts of Central Bohemia on Saturday. Freezing drizzle, which can make roads slippery, is expected in the morning and early afternoon in Prague and a large part of Central Bohemia, as well as some districts in Vysočina, South Bohemia, South Moravia, Olomouc, and Moravian-Silesia. Today's temperatures in Prague are expected to hover between -1 and 3 degrees Celsius.

Czech Scouts will bring the Bethlehem Light, a flame lit in Bethlehem, from Austria to Czechia this evening. The symbolic light will arrive by train in Brno and be welcomed with an ecumenical ceremony at Brno’s Petrov Cathedral on Sunday. On Dec. 21, Scouts will distribute the light across the country by train. Originating in Austria in 1986, the tradition spread to Czechia after 1989, symbolizing peace and unity during the holiday season.

The Czech government will decide Wednesday on pay increases for 846,300 public and state sector employees. Teachers are set for a 7 percent raise, while others would receive an additional CZK 1,400 monthly. The changes, effective January, are part of a CZK 24 billion package. While unions sought higher increases, the proposal aims to address inflation-driven wage declines since 2019. Adjustments include simplified pay scales and revised minimum guarantees for various roles.

Former EU Commissioner Věra Jourová will join President Petr Pavel’s foreign policy advisory team. At a Charles University meeting, she emphasized her role will be non-partisan, saying it is "above parties." Jourová also announced she will become vice-rector at Charles University, overseeing human resources and new technologies, starting January. She left the ANO party in June and has declined political roles, including director of the Václav Havel Library, citing time constraints.

A group of 10 fraudsters scammed over 40,000 people in Czechia, collecting more than CZK 64 million for a fake charity, police have revealed. The scheme involved call centers and promises of gifts from nonexistent workshops. The funds were funneled into private accounts, with only a small amount used for actual charity. Police warn against unverified donations, highlighting the increasing sophistication of charity scams. All suspects face up to 10 years in prison.

Moody’s has downgraded Slovakia’s credit rating by one notch to A3, citing institutional challenges amid political tension. The outlook has shifted from negative to stable, indicating no immediate changes. Moody’s expects Slovakia’s public debt to rise to 60.4 percent of GDP in 2025, with fiscal reforms lagging. Despite these concerns, Slovakia’s ability to attract foreign investment remains strong. The rating reflects medium-high credit quality but highlights growing fiscal risks.