World’s deepest freshwater cave in Moravia marks a new record

Four-fifths of Czech citizens believe that during its presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Czech Republic should prioritize solving the social impacts of the energy crisis, reports ČTK. The poll reveals that the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and support for its joining the EU are not essential for the general public, as only about a third of people want this to be the Czech priority during the EU presidency.

The deepest flooded freshwater pit cave in the world, Hranice Abyss (Hranická propast) in Moravia, measures at least 450 meters. The new data, which overwrote the previous data from 2016 that said the depth was 404 meters, was measured by a special robot that speleologists launched at the site. The chairman of the Czech speleological society from the Hranický karst, Michal Guba, said that scientists have not yet reached the bottom due to the limitations of technology. 

Experts also obtained valuable data about the shape of the submerged part of the abyss, which they used to create a 3D map. The path was mapped by a meter-wide 100-kilogram robot with the help of six cameras and sonar beams.

Rising energy and fuel prices continue to impact transport costs in the Czech Republic. The costs of urban transport companies in the Czech Republic will increase by approximately CZK 1.5 billion this year compared to last year. Cities will probably have to compensate for the increasing expenses of businesses, and there is also a risk of fare increases or service reductions, ČTK reports.

This year, doctors and paramedics are dealing with more injuries caused by people riding electric scooters, ČT24 reported. Paramedics say they often treat head injuries because people do not wear a helmet when driving at high speeds. According to rescuers, the accident victims usually drive drunk. The highest number of injuries occurred on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition to falls from scooters, collisions with pedestrians or other means of transport also occur.

The Prague police are searching for a 57-year-old man in Divoká Šárka, whose life is in serious danger. He has vascular dementia of the fourth degree, epilepsy, and short-term memory lapses. He is disoriented in time and space.

President Miloš Zeman signed into law a cost-saving tariff, which is intended to help households reduce their electricity, gas, and heat bills. The government will decide on the specific form of the tariff, i.e. who will receive it and how much the state's contribution will be. Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela previously stated that the amount of the contribution will be fixed, so it is not a percentage aid. 

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed his concern about the situation on the Kosovo-Serbia border and urged the involved parties to de-escalate. "Taking unilateral steps is not the answer. The integration of the countries of the Western Balkans is a priority #CZPRES and any form of aggression damages these efforts," he wrote on Twitter.

Data from large development companies show that the growth in prices for new apartments has stopped. This is evident in a quarter-on-quarter comparison, for example, in Prague. Some real estate brokers claim that in some locations, such as Brno, real estate is starting to become slightly cheaper. The lower demand is mainly caused by higher interest rates on mortgages. 

One of the most successful rappers in the world, 50 Cent, will perform in Prague for the first time in over a decade. He will perform in the O2 arena. The hip-hop legend's show is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2022. Due to the great interest from fans, the rapper decided to extend his current tour with a stop in Prague at the last minute. Tickets go on sale Ticketmaster and Ticketportal from Aug. 2.

The state budget deficit rose slightly in July to CZK 192.7 billion from CZK 183 billion in June. However, it is significantly lower than a year ago, when it was the highest in the history of the independent Czech Republic (CZK 279.4 billion). Last week, the government approved an amendment to this year's budget with a deficit of CZK 330 billion instead of CZK 280 billion. 

The beginning of August will bring tropical temperatures to the Czech Republic. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, this week's temperatures will reach up to 36 degrees Celsius, peaking on Thursday. From Friday onwards, temperatures will drop by almost 10 degrees in some places. The risk of fire remains in the Ústí region.