Extreme heat warning issued for Czechia from Saturday

Czechia meteorologists are warning of high temperatures, which may exceed 34°C from Saturday around noon. During this period people are encouraged to reduce physical activity and should not stay in direct sunlight in the afternoon. The warning applies to Bohemia and South Moravia. On Sunday, temperatures should also climb above 31°C throughout Bohemia and South Moravia.

The public prosecutor said in a press release today that it is proposing detention for three accused in a case surrounding the now-former deputy mayor of Prague Petr Hlubuček. According to the plaintiff, the accused could flee or pressure witnesses or co-defendants who have not yet given testimony. Eleven people stand accused of corruption in the management of the Prague Transport Company (DPP). A total of 13 people are already being prosecuted. Accusations range from participation in an organized criminal group, acceptance of bribes, and the illicit production of narcotics.

Komerční Banka (KB) was fined by the Czech Central Bank (CNB) for not reducing the total cost of consumer loans by interest costs for 1,116 consumers who applied for early mortgage repayments and therefore violating the Consumer Credit Act. KB must pay the fine within 30 days of the decision coming into force. According to the CNB's decision, KB did not reduce the total cost of these loans by interest costs of CZK 12.89 million for consumers who applied for early repayment of a consumer housing loan between mid-March 2019 and mid-July 2020.

A massive hailstorm hit Olešnice, a village in the Blansko region, Thursday evening with large pieces of hail covering the roads in massive layers according to local officials. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reports that a strong storm, likely a supercell, hit Svitavy late Thursday and advanced further south. A supercell is a thunderstorm characterized by a deep, persistently rotating updraft.

New subvariants of the BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 Omicron coronavirus are predicted to dominate gradually in the Czech Republic, the National Health Institute (SZU) said in its weekly report on new mutations released Thursday. Experts are only mapping the course of the disease caused by this variant. Previous infection and vaccination will likely protect less against the variant. This week, over 400 Czechs tested positive daily on workdays. In early June, it was about one-half of that number

The new pay-TV-themed TV Canal + Sport will launch in Czechia at the beginning of August and will be part of the Skylink satellite TV offer on the Astra 3B satellite as well as the Skylink Live TV internet platform. Negotiations with other market players are currently underway, according to the company. Canal + Sport can be ordered separately or as part of the new Kombi + package. The main attraction will be the broadcasts of the English Premier League football competition with Czech or Slovak commentary.

The price of gas for the European market has risen by about 70 percent since Monday, the raw material is now selling for more than EUR 140 (CZK 3465). Meanwhile, Russia's ambassador to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Thursday that persistent problems with repairs to compressor stations could lead to Russia shutting down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline altogether, which is the main route for transporting Russian gas to the EU.

In an unprecedented verdict, the Prague Municipal Court has ruled four Czech ministries have infringed the rights of the association Klimatická žaloba ČR (Czech Climate Litigation) and other complainants by not taking steps to sufficiently cut greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the lawsuit was to make the state offices solve the climate crisis, the association said.

The challenges stemming from the Russian aggression in Ukraine raise the expectations pinned on the upcoming Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said today after his Prague meeting with European Parliament leaders, whom he acquainted with the Czech presidency priorities. Among the biggest challenges for the Czech presidency, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that the next months will create the future of Europe by its reactions to the brutal aggression in Ukraine, and also by its steps taken to tackle the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Chemicals that can serve as precursors for making explosives will be accessible to ordinary citizens only in low concentrations based on a bill the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Czech Parliament, passed today to comply with the EU's new regulations. Regulating access to and possession of abusable chemicals was adopted in reaction to the terrorist attacks in European cities. Violators will face a fine of up to CZK 1 million.

Facebook, Google, Twitter, TikTok, Microsoft, Czech firm Seznam, and other internet platforms have pledged to take stronger action against the spread of disinformation. The new code was signed today by 34 companies and organizations. According to European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová, the key new features of the code are cooperation with fact verifiers to address fake accounts in all EU languages and the involvement of advertising companies to deprive disinformation creators of income.

Czechs often do not know when to seek professional aid concerning their psychological and mental issues, according to a survey. Many parents underestimate the mental health issues of their children. Findings also show the topic of mental and psychological health is still stigmatized and people are not well-informed in this area. An absolute majority of people in the Czech Republic believe they will handle their mental issues on their own or with the help of their relatives and friends. Only 6 percent would rather talk to a professional.