News in brief for July 17: Labor minister announces pension increase from 2024

Two buses have crashed in a serious traffic accident that occurred in the past hour on the third kilometer of the D2 highway in the direction of Brno. Around 50 people are said to be injured – some seriously – following the accident, which took place near Rebešovice (South Moravia).

According to initial reports, one of the drivers died at the scene. Several emergency-services vehicles, including helicopters, are assisting those injured. This section of the D2 has been closed until further notice.

A man who performed the Nazi salute and shouted "Death to Ukraine!" in Prague's Troja district has been located by the police. The incident occurred in late June before a concert, following an argument with a taxi driver. 

The suspect will now face prosecution for expressing support for a movement that aims to suppress human rights and freedoms. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to three years. The police were able to track down the suspect based on eyewitness accounts and his subsequent actions.

According to a report published today by the Czech Automotive Industry Association, in the first half of 2023 passenger-car production rose substantially in Czechia, rising around 22 percent year on year. With 738,450 passenger vehicles produced, the automotive industry is approaching pre-crisis levels. 

Notably, the share of electric cars made has grown to over 12 percent, with 66,771 electric cars and 24,514 plug-in hybrids manufactured. Škoda Auto, the largest domestic car manufacturer, experienced a 32.3-percent boost in production. Out of the total number of passenger cars produced, 53,384 vehicles were sold on the Czech market, a year-on-year rise of almost 20 percent.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has issued additional warnings for strong storms expected in the eastern part of Czechia today. These storms pose a threat alongside existing warnings for fires due to high temperatures and drought.

Meteorologists predict the formation of powerful supercells in the South Moravian and Zlín regions, which could bring up to 50 millimeters of rain and hail up to 2 centimeters in size. In other areas, strong storms are anticipated with the risk of torrential rainfall of approximately 30 millimeters, along with smaller hail and gusty winds. The highest risk of thunderstorms lies in the regions near the Slovakia border during midday and early afternoon hours.

According to Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík, a new subsidy program called "Fix Grandma's House" will be launched through Czechia in September. Under this program, applicants in the Czech Republic can receive up to CZK 1 million to repair older houses.

The initiative aims to support economically active individuals who own family homes or holiday homes intended for reconstruction. The program, which will benefit from funds of up to CZK 40 billion from the EU, primarily focuses on insulating the houses to improve their energy efficiency, with eligibility extended to houses built no later than 2013. 

A large fire that erupted on Saturday night in South Bohemia caused an estimated CZK 10 million worth of damage, according to Vendula Matějů, the spokesperson for the South Bohemia Fire Rescue Service.

The blaze, which affected 40 hectares of forest, has been brought under control and will be completely extinguished within a few days. This incident marks the largest forest fire in the South Bohemia Region in several months. Although five firefighters were injured during the intervention, none of them required hospitalization. The investigation into the fire is still in its early stages.

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Marian Jurečka announced this afternoon that the average monthly old-age pension in the Czech Republic is expected to increase by approximately CZK 400 by the end of this year, which would see it reach CZK 20,700.

This increase will apply only to the basic portion of the pension that is the same for everyone. Jurečka noted that specific figures will be available after Sept. 4. As of the end of the first quarter, the average pension in the country was CZK 19,461, showing a rise of around CZK 760 since June. The maximum period of early retirement is also set to be reduced from five years to three. There are currently 2.36 million recipients of pensions nationwide.

A total of nine individuals drowned in Czechia during the past weekend, with five deaths occurring on Friday alone. The Czech Red Cross water rescue service has initiated a campaign to raise awareness about the hazards of swimming and watersports. 

The organization has installed information boards near popular water reservoirs, starting with the Slapy Reservoir. To prevent such accidents, the signs advise against swimming alone, going too far from the shore without supervision or a flotation device, and emphasize the importance of vigilance.

New data from the Czech Fire and Rescue Service shows that on Saturday over two-thirds of the 168 fires that occurred nationwide were outdoors, surpassing the long-term average by more than three times. Forests, fields, and grasslands were ablaze due to the hottest day of the year, prompting a high fire danger alert. 

However, the situation calmed down on Sunday, with 52 fires reported, including 25 in open areas. The Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the number of fires aligned with the long-term average. The past five years have seen an average of 50 fires reported daily. Firefighters remained active in combating wild blazes throughout the weekend.

According to a new data release from the Czech Banking Association Hypomonitor, in June banks and building societies in the Czech Republic granted mortgage loans totaling CZK 14 billion, marking a 13-percent increase compared to May. This volume is the highest since the middle of 2022.

The interest rate for new mortgages without refinancing decreased from 5.9 percent in May to 5.86 percent. This is the highest volume and number of mortgages granted since July last year. However, despite the recent improvement, mortgage activity remains around half of what it was in the first half of 2020, with a year-on-year decrease of 28 percent.

Meteorologists predict that temperatures in the Czech Republic will remain above 30 degrees Celsius throughout the week, with more rain expected today. However, the trend of tropical nights, where temperatures stay above 20 degrees, is expected to end. After a scorching weekend where temperatures reached over 37 degrees in some areas, today will be slightly cooler, ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, possibly reaching 32 degrees in the southeast. 

From Tuesday to Thursday, occasional showers or storms are anticipated, with temperatures reaching or surpassing 30 degrees Celsius during the day, and around 15 degrees Celsius during the night.