Czech news in brief for September 3: Tuesday's top headlines

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the need for robust air defenses following a Russian airstrike on Poltava, Ukraine, which killed 47 and injured over 200. The attack targeted an educational facility and a hospital. Lipavský condemned the strike as a war crime and underscored the importance of supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons. The Czech Republic continues to support Ukraine through its ammunition initiative, with 15 countries contributing to the effort.

The average nominal wage in the Czech Republic increased by 6.5 percent year-on-year to CZK 5,854 in the second quarter, with real wage growth at 3.9 percent after adjusting for inflation. This marks the second consecutive quarter of real wage growth. However, the pace of growth has slowed from the first quarter, falling short of market expectations. Wages in sectors like health and social care saw the highest increases, while education experienced the smallest rise. The median wage rose by 5.8 percent to CZK 38,529.

Interior Minister Vít Rakušan warned of rising serious issues among children following a knife attack at a primary school in Domažlice, where a female student injured two peers. Rakušan stressed the need for improved mental health care and support, citing insufficient current measures. He highlighted the Safe Childhood program to enhance children's mental health and called for vigilance from parents, teachers, and peers to recognize early warning signs.

The pharmacy network Dr. Max has reported a sharp rise in demand for home Covid-19 tests and medications, with sales increasing significantly in recent weeks. This spike occurred about two weeks earlier than last year. On Monday, the Ministry of Health recorded 599 positive tests, the highest daily number since January. Dr. Max noted that sales of antigen tests and antiviral drugs like Paxlovid and Lagevrio have surged, with August showing a dramatic increase in distribution.

In a landmark ruling today, the Czech Constitutional Court permitted midwives to conduct home births but clarified that this does not constitute health care under current law. Home births with midwives are not covered by conventional health care guarantees, leaving associated risks to the mother or her assistants. The court urged the Ministry of Health to clarify legal regulations on childbirth. The ruling highlighted the need for clearer legislation on home births in Czechia.

Czech police stopped a truck carrying about 30 migrants on the D8 motorway near Veltrusy on Saturday evening. Some migrants tried to flee but were caught. One migrant was found dead, and the others were in poor health. The highway was closed for half an hour, and a helicopter assisted in the search. Czechia was not the migrants' final destination, police said.

The Czech Constitutional Court (ÚS) will decide if midwives can legally conduct home births, a first for the court. Currently, Czech law limits midwives to pre- and postnatal care at home, with births allowed only in medical facilities. Two women, a midwife seeking to extend her authorization and a prospective mother, filed a complaint arguing for the right to choose the birthplace and method of childbirth.

Czech state castles and chateaux had 3.2 million visitors by the end of August, down 4 percent from last year, according to Blanka Černá of the National Monuments Institute. Hot weather, sporting events, and rising ticket prices contributed to the decline. Lednice Castle, Český Krumlov, and Karlštejn were the most visited sites. Entrance fees rose by an average of 6 percent due to higher management costs.

Karolína Muchová defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3 to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Muchová, who missed 10 months due to injury, will face Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia next. Tomáš Macháč lost to Britain's Jack Draper 3-6, 1-6, 2-6, missing his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek also advanced.

Czech novelist and literary scholar Daniela Hodrová has died at 78, Malvern Publishers owner Jakub Hlaváček confirmed Saturday. Hodrová, known for her works inspired by Prague and complex narrative style, won several prestigious awards, including the Franz Kafka Prize in 2012. Her latest novel, Co prichazi aneb Cesta na Kouzelny vrch, was published shortly before her death while in palliative care.