Czech news in brief for June 23: Sunday's top headlines

Firefighters in Český Těšín continue to address the aftermath of a severe storm that hit early Saturday, causing extensive damage to the town, including the municipal swimming pool, sports complex, and cemetery. Significant damage includes destroyed fences, roofs, gardens, and numerous fallen trees impacting roads and properties. Power outages persist in some areas, and residents are advised to avoid affected zones.

Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Marian Jurečka will propose raising public sector employees' salaries by 7 to 10 percent as of this fall at Tuesday's Tripartite Council meeting, he announced on Czech TV today. The council includes government, trade union, and employer representatives. This increase applies to clerks, cultural workers, technical workers, and non-teaching staff in education and civil service.

The opposition ANO party would win Czech parliamentary elections if held in June with 32.9 percent of the vote, according to a STEM survey for CNN Prima News. ODS would follow with 14.8 percent, Pirates with 8.7 percent, and SPD with 7.3 percent. STAN would receive 6.8 percent, and the Communists 5.1 percent. The survey estimated a 59 percent voter turnout, with 1609 respondents participating. The next Czech parliamentary election will take place next year.

David Pastrňák, star forward from the Boston Bruins and hero of the Czech world championship hockey team, is poised to clinch the prestigious Golden Hockey Stick, an annual award given to the best Czech hockey player. Pastrňák has received the award six previous times. Other top contenders include goalies Lukáš Dostál and Petr Mrázek, defenders Radko Gudas and Filip Hronek, and forwards Roman Červenka, Tomáš Hertl, Martin Nečas, Lukáš Sedlák, and Pavel Zacha. The award ceremony will take place at 9:25 p.m. tonight in Prague's Žofín Palace.

A woman died after jumping out of a moving ambulance on Prague's Karlovarská Street on Sunday morning. The patient, being transported to hospital by Central Bohemian rescuers, died instantly. Police spokesman Jan Daněk confirmed the incident, the exact circumstances of which are currently being investigated. Police and firefighters responded promptly, controlling traffic during the intervention.

The Czech football team drew 1-1 with Georgia in their second UEFA 2024 European Championship match, complicating their chances of advancing from Group F. Georges Mikautadze scored first for Georgia, while Patrik Schick equalized for the Czechs in the 59th minute. Despite numerous attempts, the Czechs couldn't secure a win. They must now defeat Turkey in their final group match to have a chance at advancing to the knockout stage.

Analysts expect the Czech National Bank (CNB) to cut its base interest rate from 5.25 percent on Thursday, but the extent is uncertain. Predictions favor a 0.25 percent cut, though a 0.5 percent cut is possible, influenced by the crown's exchange rate. The CNB's approach reflects recent domestic inflation trends, weak economic performance, and market sensitivities, particularly regarding the French elections and koruna fluctuations.

Power outages caused by recent storms in the Czech Republic have been largely resolved, though about 4,000 homes, primarily in north Moravia, remained without electricity on Saturday evening. The outages, mainly due to fallen trees and branches, peaked earlier yesterday with about 35,000 homes affected. As of 6:00 p.m., ČEZ reported 3,800 outages near Karviná, while EG.D reported an additional 300 points still without power.

A total of 419 Vespa and Piaggio scooters rode through Prague on Saturday morning during the 12th PragoVespa annual meeting, according to spokeswoman Andrea Kloucková. The event, which began at HG Sport Centre Troja, included a ride through Wenceslas Square, skill competitions, and a charity calendar auction. Participants came from various countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria, and as far away as Indonesia. Vespa, an iconic scooter brand, was founded in 1946 by Enrico Piaggio.

A Czech driver died after being struck by a stone that flew off an oncoming truck in western Switzerland on Friday, local police reported. The incident occurred between Valangin and Dombresson in the Neuchâtel canton. The stone broke the car’s windscreen, hit the driver, and exited through the rear window. Despite the front passenger's efforts to stop the car safely, the 60-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries in a Bern hospital.