News in brief for July 15: Top headlines for Czechia on Saturday

Fifteen passengers came together to push a stranded articulated trolleybus in Otrokovice, Zlín Region, after an unexpected power outage in the local public transport network. The trolleybus, which lacked a backup generator or batteries, blocked traffic on Dr. E. Beneš street.

With no alternative route available and the risk of disrupting other transport connections, passengers were asked to assist in moving the trolleybus out of the narrow area. Their collective effort allowed the trolleybus to be pushed approximately 20 meters and clear the street for other traffic. The power outage lasted less than an hour, resulting in delays of up to 45 minutes for trolleybus services.

Almost half of the children in Czech infant homes are from the Roma community, primarily due to social reasons, according to the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry's annual report on children's homes. Out of a total of 410 children in infant homes, 189 were of Roma origin.

The report highlights the childcare system, lack of prevention of family separation, and prejudices as factors that contribute to the number of Roma children in institutions. The operation of infant homes is set to end by the end of next year, with plans for children to be placed with foster parents if necessary.

A petition calling for the removal of the Alliance for Family group from Czech state structures which was initiated by Protestant priests, and supported by theologians and Catholic representatives, has garnered over 16,000 signatures. The group opposes LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex parenthood, and comprehensive sex education.

The petition argues that the Alliance's goals contradict religious values and democratic principles, despite their claim to represent religious values. The Alliance, which collaborates with the labor and justice ministries and political parties, has rejected the criticism. The petition coincides with parliamentary discussions on legalizing same-sex marriages, prompting concerns from the Czech Bishops Conference.

A significant portion of Europe will face sweltering heat this weekend, and some places of the Czech Republic will see temperatures reach up to 38 degrees Celsius. Most countries in Europe, especially in the south and southeast, will face extreme heat this weekend.

In the Czech Republic, warm air will flow towards us from the southwest. Heat will reach a high point on Saturday, when afternoon temperatures will reach up to 37 and occasionally even 38 degrees Celsius in areas of Bohemia. Temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius will also be seen in areas of Moravia.

Cases of scabies in the Czech Republic continue to increase, according to data provided by the State Health Institute. During the first half of this year, a total of 4,873 cases of scabies were recorded by doctors. This more than doubled the number of cases reported during the first half of last year, which was 2,373.

Scabies is an infectious disease that is transmitted by direct contact with a sick person, shared clothing, or bedding. Its symptoms include reddened pimples and intense itching that can be very uncomfortable and bothersome. Recommendations for avoiding the disease include regular hand washing, washing clothes and bedding, and avoiding direct contact with sick individuals.

A four-year-old Czech girl died while on holiday in Medulin, Croatia, on Wednesday morning. The cause of her death has yet to be confirmed pending an autopsy, but the girl complained of abdominal pain and was examined at a local emergency service before being discharged, according to Croatian media.

"Police received a report that a girl from the Czech Republic who needed medical aid. She was unwell and an ambulance was called. Unfortunately, the child could not be saved," Istrian police spokeswoman Suzana Sokač told Croatian newspaper 24sata.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock yesterday in the border town of Vejprty near Chomutov. The bilateral talks focused on current events in Central Europe and the impact of the Ukraine war on European security, as well as EU enlargement, migration, and the common European asylum policy.

After crossing the border, the ministers engaged with local firefighters, police officers, and mayors to discuss security in the region. German protesters staged a rally during the visit expressing their opposition to arms supplies to Ukraine, disapproval of climate change measures, and asking for Germany's withdrawal from the EU, NATO, and the World Health Organization. 

The first hydrogen-powered bus in Prague will start operations this month as part of a two-year pilot project for Prague's Public Transit Company (DPP). The Škoda H'City bus will be deployed on line number 170 from Jižní Město to Pražská Čtvrť in Barrandov. The goal of the pilot is to assess the technical and operational aspects of hydrogen-powered vehicles and explore alternative driving options. The chosen line has a challenging terrain, is one of the longest routes in the Czech capital, and its Barrandov terminal is close to a hydrogen filling station. 

Until the end of July, the bus will run only on weekdays during the morning and afternoon rush hours, as DPP needs to train drivers and technicians. Jan Barchánek, head of buses at DPP, said that starting in August, the bus will operate according to line 170's regular schedule during both weekdays and weekends.

Czech footwear Botas unveiled its first design after its acquisition from Zlín footwear company Vasky earlier this year. Botas Classic Tricolor features the red, white, and blue colors of the Czech flag and a classic design that according to the website "accompanied us throughout the entire campaign to save the Botas brand."

Botas is a familiar name for Czechs thanks to decades of selling sports shoes. Although the company achieved a net profit of CZK 7.6 million in 2021, its declining sales in the past two decades left it on the brink of bankruptcy at the start of 2023. 

Deputy Defence Minister Daniel Blažkovec and Deputy Commander of the Operations Command Václav Vlček presented awards yesterday to 465 Czech soldiers who returned from missions in Slovakia and Kosovo. The ceremony, held at the National Memorial on the Vítkov Hill, was attended by various dignitaries, including Pavel Fischer and Josef Flek from the Senate committees, and Slovak charge d'affaires Soňa Budayová.

Blažkovec highlighted the importance of defending freedom amid the conflicts in Ukraine and Kosovo and thanked the troops for their participation in charity projects. Vlček commended the soldiers' professionalism and thanked Slovak and German representatives for their support. The Czechs have been commanding the multinational group in Slovakia since mid-2022, aiming to bolster NATO's eastern flank in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. 

The Czech government's consolidation package, aimed at restoring public finances, successfully passed its first reading in the lower house of parliament. Despite the opposition's proposal to reject the package, which all 72 opposition MPs voted in favor of, 98 government MPs voted against.

Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said that the second reading, where MPs can submit proposals for potential changes, could happen on Sept. 5. The package, which includes measures to improve the state budget balance by CZK 97.7 billion next year, is expected to undergo further discussions and modifications before being approved for implementation at the start of 2024.