Czech news in brief for June 13: Thursday's top headlines

In an effort to attract more young recruits, the Czech army has announced it will offer a part-time job during school holidays. Each student will receive  CZK 15,000, with a bonus of CZK 15,000 if they complete the entire course. This initiative aims to gain new reservists and improve the army's image among young people. According to Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka, this is a more appealing alternative to traditional summer jobs and will help expand the army's reserves. The four-week course, which will take place at two brigades, is expected to have around 130 participants.

According to police spokeswoman Dana Čírtková, a man accused of selling fake tickets for the recent world ice hockey championship in Czechia also sold fake tickets for the upcoming European football championship in Germany. The 34-year-old man from the Vysočina region confessed to his actions, which caused CZK 2.28 million in damages and affected 30 people. Most people who sent him money never received any tickets – others received fake copies. Police say the face tickets may still be in circulation and urge caution.

Today at Prague Castle, President Petr Pavel bestowed the Order of the White Lion of the Civil Group to outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová, and in turn, she awarded him with the Order of the White Double Cross. Both awards are Czechia and Slovakia’s highest state honors. Pavel said that Čaputová's presidency has helped strengthen the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights in both countries and Europe. Pavel praised her for “her humanity, kindness, and willingness to understand and listen to people.”

According to a survey by the Restabus project, 30 percent of seniors over 65 in the Czech Republic have experienced maltreatment by their loved ones, while 40% percent have faced it in public spaces or services. Women and men face it equally, but older people are more likely to be exposed. Adjustments in legislation and conditions are necessary to address these cases, as reported by sociologist Lucie Vidovicová. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The Interior Ministry announced that Czechia's government agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian war refugees annually based on EU decisions without changing national laws. Economically self-sufficient Ukrainians can apply for special long-term residence permits. The current protection process remains unchanged, including electronic registration by March 15 and visa labeling until March 31. Currently, 354,714 refugees are temporarily protected in Czechia.

The government will ban seven new psychoactive substances similar to HHC and THCP until the year's end, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek announced. The European Commission's decision is expected by Aug. 21. This move follows hospitalizations of children from candies containing banned substances. The ban targets HHCP, HHCH, HHCB, HHC-C8, THCH, THCB, and THC-C8, including derivatives. A new law regulating psychomodulating substances is anticipated next year.

The police mishandled the case of TOP 09 reporter Dominik Feri by partially dismissing it. The Constitutional Court accepted a complaint from one of the five women involved, annulling the prosecutor's resolution and likely prompting police to revisit the case. Feri, currently serving a three-year sentence for other sexual offenses, may not face new charges immediately. The court upheld the dismissal for the other four complainants.

The Czech government will join a joint tank acquisition agreement led by Germany, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced. Czechia plans to buy 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks for 52 billion crowns, aiming for a total of 122 Leopard tanks by the early 2030s. This step precedes the actual purchase and offers cost benefits through collaboration. The agreement should be finalized by July's end.

An accident involving a truck and 11 cars closed the Dejvický and Bubenečský tunnels towards Troja for about four hours Wednesday, according to police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová. No injuries were reported. The collision occurred in the Bubeneč tunnel, affecting the neighboring Dejvické tunnel. Alcohol was ruled out as a factor. All vehicles were cleared and traffic resumed shortly after 7 p.m.

Small EU-based companies with annual turnovers under CZK 2 million will no longer be subject to Czech VAT regulations, according to a new draft law approved by the government. The law, announced by the Ministry of Finance, aligns with an EU directive, granting these companies VAT exemptions. It also clarifies conditions for applying lower VAT rates for housing and social housing buildings, based on their usage purpose as registered.