Czech news in brief for July 23: Tuesday's top headlines

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol discussed economic cooperation after KHNP was chosen to build new nuclear units at the Czech Dukovany plant. Fiala expressed interest in more Korean investments and increasing exports to Korea. Yoon plans to visit Czechia in September. The government is also considering two additional units at the Temelin plant.

A ban on nighttime entry of cars, including taxis, will be reinstated in Prague's Old Town on Dlouhá Street and its surroundings in the upcoming days. The news was reported by the iRozhlas server today and confirmed by ČTK. Prague 1 councilor Vojtěch Ryvola stated that the measure will take effect on either Wednesday or Thursday.

One person died, and two were seriously injured in an apartment fire in Jičín today. The injured were airlifted to hospitals. Four firefighting units are working to extinguish the blaze, reported around 12:30 p.m. The cause remains unknown. Lucie Hanušová, a regional emergency service spokeswoman, confirmed the fatalities and injuries. All elements of the Integrated Rescue System are on site.

Czech police registered 716 child pornography cases last year, down from 780 in 2022 but up from 627 in 2021, per Europe in Data. The highest rates were in the Usti nad Labem and Liberec regions, with the lowest in Karlovy Vary. The Internet Watch Foundation noted 105 suspicious Czech websites, ranking the country 25th globally. Despite strong school prevention, parental awareness remains insufficient.

Around three-fifths of Czechs find the current pension system unfair and believe the average pension is inadequate for basic needs. Over 70 percent think the system fails to ensure a dignified old age and a majority call for pension reform. The number of citizens viewing the system as unsustainable dropped by five points to 67 percent year-on-year, according to a May survey by the STEM agency.

The first two of 14 ordered US F-16 fighter jets arrived at the Kuchyna air base, the first new jets for Slovakia in nearly 30 years. President Peter Pellegrini, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, and General Daniel Zmeko attended the event. Slovakia purchased the fighters for over EUR 1.5 billion, with NATO allies currently protecting Slovak airspace until full deployment.

Hungary and Slovakia have urged the European Commission to address Ukraine’s halt of oil transit from Russia’s Lukoil, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said. Blanar and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called for immediate EC action, claiming Ukraine violated its EU association agreement. Slovakia, which has an oil import exemption until year-end, faces a 40 percent supply cut, impacting the Bratislava refinery Slovnaft.

Most EU foreign ministers stated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban does not represent the EU during his travels, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said. The disappointment was expressed over Hungary’s EU presidency promoting its own interests. Hungary faced criticism for its stance on Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto defending Hungary’s peacekeeping mission. The upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting will be held in Brussels instead of Budapest.

Food prices monitored by the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) continued to rise in July, though at a more moderate rate than in June. Table apples saw the most significant increase, up 6.26 percent to CZK 41.44 per kilogram. Conversely, table potato prices fell by 10.86 percent to CZK 29.07 per kilogram, the first drop since April. Despite some increases, seven of 13 monitored items are cheaper year-on-year.

The Association of Cannabis Clubs (AKK) supports the proposed rules for self-cultivation of cannabis but stresses that many patients cannot grow their own plants. They advocate for cannabis clubs to provide for those in need. AKK urges lawmakers to support comprehensive cannabis regulation, including decriminalizing possession for personal use and establishing cultivation rules. The proposed law aims to allow limited self-cultivation and regulated market adjustments.

A smart tram began testing on an eight-kilometer track near the University of West Bohemia, showcasing its ability to communicate with its surroundings and respond to obstacles. This is part of the DIDYMOS project, aimed at developing autonomous public transport. The tram features Škoda Group’s ACS anti-collision system, with the project receiving substantial funding from the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic.