News in brief for Sept. 3: Top headlines for Czechia on Sunday

Shadow Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Aleš Juchelka criticized President Petr Pavel for delaying the pension amendment, warning it could result in up to 10,000 people taking an early retirement, potentially costing the Czech state around four billion crowns next year.

Juchelka's remarks came during an appearance on CNN Prima this morning. Meanwhile, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Marian Jurečka defended the president, saying he should not be criticized for taking time to evaluate the amendment. The pension amendment plays a crucial role in pension system reform, and its delay continues to draw significant attention and debate.

Prague police have successfully located a 31-year-old woman who ran from Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital this weekend. The woman, considered aggressive and potentially dangerous, was apprehended in Čimice, and subsequently returned to the hospital. Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital, one of the Czech Republic's largest, provides comprehensive care for individuals with mental disorders.

While the hospital prioritizes patient safety, occasional escapes do occur. The woman, who was considered a potential threat, was apprehended on Saturday evening, ensuring her safety and averting any danger to the public.

A major accident on the D2 highway near Rakvice led to its closure in the direction of Slovakia on Sunday morning. The crash, involving five vehicles, resulted in injuries to five individuals, including children, prompting the dispatch of a rescue helicopter.

Traffic disruptions persisted for over four hours, forcing the police to reroute vehicles via the Hustopeče and Podivín exits. The D2 highway serves as a vital link between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Police spokesperson Bohumil Malášek confirmed the accident, emphasizing the importance of safe driving on highways, and urged drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and consider current road conditions.

Czech tennis star Markéta Vondroušová has secured her spot in the round of 16 at the US Open, defeating Russian opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova with a decisive score of 6-2, 6-1. Vondroušová, the 24-year-old Wimbledon champion, has not lost a set during the tournament and is on a ten-match Grand Slam winning streak.

Vondroušová will next face American Peyton Stearns. Meanwhile, Czech player Marie Bouzková's journey at the US Open was cut short due to an injury. She fought a valiant battle but ultimately lost to last year's finalist, Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, with a score of 7-5, 6-7, 3-6.

The Czech Republic saw a continued decline in real wages for the seventh consecutive quarter in the second quarter of this year, according to analysts contacted by Czech News Agency. Persistently high inflation outpaced nominal wage growth, although the decline in real wages was less severe than in the previous quarter due to weakening inflation.

Overall, nominal wages rose by about 7.7 percent overall but fell by around 3.1 percent in real terms. The only sector where wage growth outpaced inflation was real estate activities. Analysts predict that wage growth may slow down further in the coming months. The Czech Statistical Office will publish official data on Czech wages this week.

The current situation in Russia after the invasion in Ukraine is not positive, according to the Czech ambassador to NATO, Jakub Landovský. He stated that Russia is losing the war, its society is apathetic, and promises are not kept. Landovský believes that the Russian system is degenerating quickly and mistrust is growing.

Landovsky also discussed the need for military support, transparency of use, and the renewal of Ukraine's democratic and stable functioning. He criticized a suggestion that Ukraine might give up territory in exchange for NATO membership, calling it unacceptable. The NATO Secretary General has declared this statement untrue.

The handmade fountain pen used by Czech President Petr Pavel to sign the presidential oath at Prague Castle's Vladislav Hall on March 9 was auctioned for 140,000 crowns. The auction was organized by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová, with the proceeds earmarked for the Club of Single Mothers, a charity supporting single parents and their children.

The pen was crafted by Brno artisan Marek Najvar, commissioned by Pekarová Adamová. The funds raised will be presented to Club of Single Mothers representatives during a special event at the Chamber of Deputies headquarters on September 16.

According to a recent survey by Generali Investments, 81 percent of Czech citizens are worried about the potential effects of the Czech Republic's proposed tax reforms. The top concern is a potential increase in value-added tax (VAT) on specific products, with 75 percent expressing fear about it.

As inflation continues to impact households, 36 percent of respondents are considering seeking better-paying jobs. Though concerns about inflation persist, fewer people are worried about energy prices. Only 25 percent are primarily worried about the energy crisis's effects, compared to 45 percent a year ago.

World-renowned sport climber Adam Ondra has clinched his record-tying seventh victory at the prestigious Rock Master race in Arco, Italy, equalling the record set by Spain's Ramón Julián Puigblanque. In an impressive feat, the 30-year-old Brno native triumphed over reigning combined world champion Jakob Schubert from Austria in the competition's final.

Ondra's exceptional climbing skills were on full display as he tackled a challenging route that combined climbing for difficulty and speed, completing it in an astounding one minute and one second. In the women's competition, Slovenia's Janja Garnbret emerged as the victor.

Tourists discovered a 48-year-old man with serious injuries beneath the Bezruč lookout tower, near Kopřivnice, on Saturday. The man had fallen from the tower, prompting an immediate response from the air rescue service helicopter, which transported him to the hospital.

While the incident is under police investigation, preliminary findings suggest it was an unfortunate accident, with no third-party involvement suspected. Bezruč's lookout tower is a popular tourist attraction known for its panoramic views, serving as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety measures when visiting such locations.