Czech news in brief for June 29: Saturday's top headlines

According to Prague Integrated Transport (PID), starting today, passengers on buses and trolleybuses in Prague and Central Bohemia must press the “Stop” button to exit at all stops. This new rule simplifies and unifies the process, eliminating confusion about when to signal the driver, according to PID. The new change also aims to shorten intervals in bus services and increase traffic flow. People who are waiting for buses at stops won’t need to signal to the driver.

According to Prague Public Transport Company spokeswoman Aneta Řehková, concrete plaster fell at Hlavní nádraží metro station on Saturday, closing the platform for trains to and from Háje. No injuries occurred, but passengers should use the neighboring Muzeum station. The AE bus line to Ruzyně Airport now extends to Muzeum. Emergency ceiling repairs continue with no estimated completion time. The incident happened on the first day of summer holidays, affecting many travelers. Passengers are advised to check the DPP website for the latest updates.

According to military sources, President Petr Pavel made a surprise visit to the 34th Land Forces Day at the Zadní Bahna training ground near Strašice, Pilsen. Pavel, wearing khaki linen attire, inspected equipment including the Czech army's Starkom jammer and a German fighting vehicle. The six-hour event, organized by the Army and Land Forces Foundation, showcased modern and historical military equipment. The program of the event, which is one of the largest presentations of the army to the public, started with the traditional flyovers of Alca combat planes. 

Trains carrying up to 20,000 participants of the 17th All-Sokol Slet (gathering) began arriving in Prague at noon today. The event features mass performances on July 4 and 5 at Fortuna Arena in Eden. At Vršovice station, hostesses and a falcon mascot welcomed attendees. Sunday's opening parade, with 15,000 participants, kicks off the six-yearly event. Over 1,500 gymnasts from countries like the U.S., Australia, and Ukraine will join the gathering. The Sokol movement originated in the mid-19th century and is based on physical exercise and national identity.

According to Slovak Transport Minister Jozef Ráž, the train traveling from Prague to Budapest that crashed into a bus on Thursday was wrongly on a closed track. The investigation is looking into how the train ended up on the track, with human error being a possible factor. Seven people died and five were injured in the accident, which is the first of its kind in Slovakia. Prosecution has been launched for general endangerment and manslaughter. 

The Chamber of Deputies Friday approved a proposal to amend the Labor Code, allowing for shifts of up to 24 hours for employees in medical facilities with continuous operation. This includes emergency services, with employees receiving a statutory supplement for such long shifts. The amendment also includes regular increases in the minimum wage. The proposal, led by member of parliament Tomáš Philipp, aims to address the need for longer shifts in the healthcare sector and provide fair compensation for employees.

According to the annual report of the criminal police and investigation service, police prosecuted 79,356 people in Czechia in 2023, which is 3,882 more than the previous year. Most of the prosecuted individuals were men over 18 years old, with Moravia-Silesia and Prague having the highest numbers. The number of repeatedly prosecuted individuals increased to 44 percent, with a significant rise from 2022. The number of prosecuted foreigners also increased, with the majority coming from Ukraine and Slovakia.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the Czech Republic's population decreased by 41,000 to 10.86 million in the first quarter, primarily due to a higher death rate than the birth rate and significant emigration. About 62,300 people, mostly Ukrainian refugees whose temporary protection ended, left the country, while 30,500 immigrated, resulting in a net migration loss of 31,800. Additionally, the number of marriages, births, and deaths declined year on year.

A Czech hiker has died in the Mont Blanc massif mountain range, as confirmed by Czech Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariana Wernerová. The Czech citizen was part of a group of hikers and was reported to have slipped on a grassy slope near the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme mountain pass. The victim's family has been contacted by the Czech diplomatic office and the French police. Other hikers from Poland and Taiwan also lost their lives in the French and Italian Alps in recent days, according to French news agency AFP.