Czech news in brief for September 1: Sunday's top headlines

The Czech Environment Ministry has facilitated the replacement of 194,000 environmentally harmful boilers through subsidy programs, disbursing CZK 21 billion to participating households. Despite this progress, an estimated 150,000 boilers still need replacement. As of today, using first and second emission class boilers is banned, with fines up to CZK 50,000 for non-compliance. Initial enforcement will focus on encouraging compliance rather than issuing fines.

The Czech Republic's digital identity card, introduced earlier this year, has already been downloaded by over 500,000 people, offering a convenient alternative to carrying a physical ID. However, despite its adoption by some banks and government offices, the Czech Post will only start accepting digital IDs from January 2025, citing the complexity of hardware and software preparations. Public transport auditors are also set to begin accepting digital IDs in 2025.

Czech Labour Minister Marian Jurečka announced that the monthly minimum wage will increase by 1,900 crowns to 20,800 crowns in 2024. This rise, the largest year-on-year jump for Czech minimum wage, will benefit around 500,000 workers. The ministry had initially estimated a smaller increase. By 2029, the minimum wage could reach CZK 28,000-29,000. Trade union leader Josef Středula welcomed the increase but noted Poland's higher minimum wage. The increase follows a Labour Code amendment signed by President Petr Pavel.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has extended its heat warning to additional regions in southern and central Moravia, including Vyškov, Kroměříž, and southern parts of the Olomouc Region. The warning now covers areas expecting temperatures above 31 degrees Celsius. A nationwide fire warning also remains in effect due to dry conditions and high temperatures, until further notice. Residents should limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and avoid open fires in natural surroundings.

The Czech Pirate Party finds the newly-proposed 2025 state budget unacceptable, Deputy Prime Minister and Pirate chair Ivan Bartoš tells Czech News Agency. They are calling for an additional seven billion crowns for housing projects. The draft budget features a 230 billion crown deficit and increased funding for Health and Transport Ministries, but cuts for the Ministry for Regional Development, which Bartoš oversees. He plans to initiate further negotiations to address these concerns.

Prague’s public transport and municipal services will soon use hydrogen-powered vehicles. The city is launching a hydrogen mobility project in collaboration with Pražská plynárenská and Pražské služby to cut emissions. Funded by European grants, the pilot project, which includes creating a green hydrogen production and usage study, will run until December 31, 2025. The city aims to integrate renewable energy sources, hydrogen infrastructure, and emissions-free vehicles into its energy strategy.

Czech tennis players Karolína Muchová and Tomáš Macháč have both reached the Round of 16 at the US Open. Muchová defeated Russia's Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-2, while Macháč won against Belgium's David Goffin 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Jakub Menšík, however, fell in the third round after missing three match points against Portugal’s Nun Borges, losing 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-7, 0-6.

The Czech Finance Ministry has proposed a 2025 state budget with a CZK 230 billion deficit, down from 252 billion in 2024 and 288.5 billion in 2023. Budget revenues are set to rise by 7.5 percent to CZK 2.1 trillion, while expenditures will increase by 5.7 percent to 2.3 trillion. The budget focuses on investment, particularly in transport infrastructure, with capital expenditures reaching CZK 250.8 billion. Social security contributions are the main revenue source.

Sparta Prague will kick off the main stage of the UEFA Champions League on September 18 with a home match against Salzburg, according to the new season schedule unveiled on Saturday. Under the new format, the Czech team will play their final group-stage match on January 29 in Leverkusen. Sparta's most challenging match is set for October 23 at Manchester City, the 2022/23 Champions League winners. This season marks Sparta's return to the Champions League group stage after 19 years.

Despite the ban starting today on first and second-class emission boilers, over 150,000 non-compliant units remain in Czech households. Demand for replacements surged recently, but most orders couldn't be fulfilled before the deadline, says Zdeněk Lyčka, president of the Heating Technology Association. The ban targets boilers that don’t meet third or higher emission standards. Violators face fines of up to CZK 50,000. Replacement capacity is available if ordered by mid-September.

The Emil Filla Memorial Hall at Peruc Chateau, North Bohemia, has reopened after eight years of reconstruction. The hall, which displays late works by the Czech cubist painter Emil Filla (1882-1953), also features photographs by his friend Josef Sudek. Filla worked at the chateau after World War II until his death. The hall is managed by the Benedikt Rejt Gallery in Louny, fulfilling a 1956 donation agreement by Filla’s widow.

Brno Zoo is participating in a cross-border project led by Slovakia's Bojnice Zoo to explore the reuse of exotic animal droppings. The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of zoos by processing animal waste into products like fertilizer. Pyrolysis, which eliminates pathogens by heating waste to 300-700 degrees Celsius, is one promising method. This process also reduces waste volume by more than 50 percent, according to Michaela Mocňáková of Bojnice Zoo.