Czech news in brief for September 3: Thursday's top afternoon headlines recap

The average Czech monthly wage has climbed to nearly CZK 52,000, according to the latest figures from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ) report, offering another snapshot of how earnings are changing in the country. The latest figures show wages continuing to rise, although the average masks significant differences between industries and individual workers.

Czechia’s EZKarta health app is getting more useful. Users can now see laboratory results dating back five years, along with preventive screenings they are eligible for and vaccination records. The app contains 450 million newly added lab-test records and lets users add children or parents. It can also be used to share medical documents, including hospital discharge reports.

Nine Central and Eastern European countries agreed in Prague today to cooperate on artificial intelligence, including research, infrastructure and EU policy. Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia and Romania signed the declaration. The Czech government is also pursuing an AI “gigafactory” that could require around CZK 100 billion in investment and form part of a wider regional computing network.

More than 13,000 runners will take over central Prague on Saturday for the Birell Grand Prix, bringing major road closures from the late afternoon into the evening. Wenceslas Square, Na Příkopě and Republic Square will be among the affected areas. Several tram routes will also be suspended. Prague authorities recommend using the metro, with restrictions expected roughly from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A seven-year-old boy fell onto the tracks at Prague’s Muzeum station after becoming distracted by his phone on the first day of school. A passenger jumped down to help while another pressed the emergency button, and the child was back on the platform within seconds. He suffered minor injuries to his hands and was taken to hospital. Police urged passengers to stay alert around platforms.