News in brief for July 22: Top headlines for Czechia on Saturday

Former Czechoslovak Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Prime Minister Miroslav Toman died in a traffic accident at the age of 88 in the Klatovy region on Friday, reports Novinky.cz. Toman was a significant figure in Czechoslovakia's communist regime, serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture from 1986 to 1988.

His political career was marked by controversies and criticism. President Miloš Zeman awarded him a state honor in 2015, which garnered criticism from other politicians. The circumstances of the accident resulting in his death are being investigated by Klatovy authorities.

Slovakia's Mountain Rescue Service conducted a daring rescue operation in the High Tatras on Friday to evacuate a pair of Czech mountaineers from the dangerous Karbunkul ridge. The women encountered difficulties while venturing outside marked routes, necessitating medical treatment and transportation to a hospital. The incident occurred on one of the highest and most challenging ridges in the High Tatras, known for its dangers, particularly for less experienced climbers.

Upon receiving the emergency call, Slovak mountain rescuers promptly responded to the scene. Through swift and professional intervention, both women were stabilized and made ready for evacuation. A helicopter was dispatched to transport them to the nearest hospital. Rescuers emphasize the crucial importance of adhering to safety regulations while exploring mountainous regions, including staying within marked areas.

Heavy traffic on the D1 highway near Brno faced significant disruptions this morning due to multiple accidents. The most severe collision occurred at the 189th kilometer, involving three cars and a motorcycle, resulting in two injuries attended to by paramedics.

Commuting towards Brno is currently challenging, with additional minor accidents further complicating the situation. Traffic congestion has extended from the 182nd kilometer. Drivers are urged to exercise caution and patience. Saturday mornings typically witness heavy traffic on the D1, and today's incidents have exacerbated the situation.

Nigerian singer Burna Boy cancelled his planned performance at the Colours of Ostrava festival due to a plane malfunction, festival spokesperson Jiří Sedlák has confirmed. The artist, known for his unique fusion of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop, encountered an engine problem on his private plane, resulting in the cancellation.

The Colours of Ostrava festival, renowned for its diverse musical genres and international artists, previously suffered another setback when British singer Ellie Goulding canceled her appearance due to health issues. Despite these unforeseen challenges, festival spokesman Sedlák emphasized that the safety of the artists remains the top priority. The Colours of Ostrava Festival continues through today.

Severe storms in the Czech Republic caused damage worth millions last night, with lightning causing a fire at a family home in Slaný among other incidents. Firefighters responded to the home fire, evacuating two children suffering from smoke inhalation. Estimated damage to the house is around eight million crowns. Another house was also hit by a fire in Říčany near Prague, but further details remain undisclosed.

Intense bursts of rain flooded roads in Polná near Jihlava, complicating traffic and requiring the involvement of firefighters and the integrated rescue system. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute have issued warnings about a dangerous supercell storm in South Bohemia, cautioning against possible thunderstorms continuing on Saturday.

A Czech tourist has been detained by Tunisian authorities after her 60-year-old husband was found dead in their hotel room while on vacation in Monastir. The incident was first reported by CNN Prima, although the reasons for the woman's arrest remain undisclosed. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed its involvement, stating that it is in contact with Tunisian authorities to provide consular assistance.

Monastir, a popular destination for European tourists including Czechs may now face scrutiny over tourist safety. As the investigation is ongoing, Tunisian police have not issued an official statement, awaiting the autopsy results to determine the cause of the man's death. Concerns about the legal protection of Czech citizens abroad have been raised due to the woman's detainment status.

The 2023/24 Czech First League football season gets underway this weekend, with favorites Sparta and Slavia gearing up for their opening matches. Sparta, the reigning champions, will face Olomouc at home, aiming to defend their title after an impressive comeback last season.

Slavia will start their campaign against Hradec Králové, seeking victory after three winless encounters. Sparta's Danish coach, Brian Priske, acknowledges the challenge of defending the title but expresses confidence in the team's hunger and preparation. According to Czech bookmakers, Slavia is most likely to win the title.

Environment Minister Petr Hladík emphasized Friday the significance of making the Luzný valley and Modrý sloup (Blue Column) accessible to tourists in the Šumava National Park (NP). Currently closed for almost 80 years, the Modrý sloup and its surrounding road could be opened to visitors, as it is on the German side, from mid-July to mid-November. 

Hladík expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached between the NP management, local residents, and entrepreneurs on prioritizing this initiative. NP director Pavel Hubený confirmed the plan and expected the valley and Modrý sloup to be accessible within a few years.

Czechia's public debt has surpassed CZK 3 trillion for the first time, according to Ministry of Finance data released today. Public debt increased by CZK 149.6 billion since the beginning of 2023, contributing to a debt-GDP ratio of 42.8 percent.

 The Ministry of Finance attributes the rise to the selling of state bonds and treasury bills to cover the state budget deficit, which was CZK 215.4 billion in the first half of the year. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura stressed the urgency of approving the recovery package to halt the debt growth and ensure the sustainable management of the Czech economy.

Czech Post announced Friday that it has altered the sale procedure for its historic building in Prague's Jindřišská Street, opting to replace a prior-planned electronic auction with an envelope method. The Prague municipality, interested in acquiring the building, will have the opportunity to match the highest offer. 

Councilor Adam Zábranský and Czech Post spokesperson Matyáš Vitík confirmed the agreement on using the envelope method for the sale of two specific and significant buildings in the city center, allowing any interested party to bid, with the City of Prague having the option to match the best offer.

In June, inspectors from the Prague Hygiene Station discovered numerous irregularities during their visits to local catering facilities in the capital, the station said Friday. Inspectors conducted 238 assessments, with 28 prompted by public complaints regarding hygiene conditions.

People reported suspected health problems after eating in 15 separate cases, 10 of which were confirmed. The inspections resulted in over 40 fines totaling more than CZK 200,000. Most violations were related to inadequate operational hygiene, improper food storage, labeling, protection against contamination, and non-compliance with construction and technical requirements for food premises.