School canteens across the Czech Republic are set for significant changes aimed at improving the quality of food served to students. With growing concern over unhealthy eating habits among children, the Ministry of Education is preparing to update regulations that will ensure more nutritious meals are provided in schools. Recent inspections by the State Health Institute (SZÚ) have highlighted alarming issues in school meal programs. Some canteens were found to include sweetened teas and juices as part of children’s daily fruit intake, while others served portions of meat containing bones, reducing the actual edible quantity. Rising Childhood Obesity Up to 25% of Czech teenagers are now considered overweight, a statistic that reflects broader lifestyle problems. Many school canteens are failing to meet the necessary nutritional standards. “We observed insufficient energy value, low levels of beneficial fats, excessive salt, and issues related to the serving of sweetened beverages,” said Barbora Macková, the chief hygienist and head of the SZÚ, in an interview with Novinky. Perhaps the most shocking finding was the practice of considering sweetened juices and teas as a portion of fruit. According to experts, a single glass of these drinks is equivalent to about seven pieces of candy in...
A baby Rothschild giraffe, one of the rarest giraffe species in the world, was born at the Safari Park Dvůr Králové in the Czech city of Dvůr Králové nad Labem. This species, classified as endangered, has fewer than 700 individuals remaining in the wild. The newborn arrived on the morning of October 14 after a one-hour labor. She is the 184th Rothschild giraffe born at this park, which has been home to this species for over 50 years. While the baby giraffe is yet to be named, both she and her mother are in excellent health. Shortly after birth, the calf was able to stand on her own and began nursing right away. “This was not the first birth for the mother—she’s quite experienced. Our camera operator was fortunate enough to capture the birth, allowing visitors to witness this remarkable event. Unlike many animals, giraffes give birth while standing, meaning the newborn’s first experience of life is a fall from a significant height,” explained zoologist Luděk Čulík. Despite the critical endangerment of Rothschild giraffes in the wild, their population in captivity, particularly in zoos and wildlife reserves, is relatively stable. Conservation efforts focus on ensuring sustainable breeding practices to maintain...
On Wednesday, October 16, Prague marked a somber anniversary: the deportation of Jewish citizens during the Nazi occupation. Exactly 83 years ago, on October 16, 1941, the first group of civilians sentenced to the so-called “Final Solution” were sent from the now-defunct Praha-Bubny railway station to Poland. The first train was headead for the Łódź ghetto, carrying around a thousand Jewish men, women, and children. Out of those deported, only 24 survived. Throughout the course of World War II, approximately 50,000 Jewish citizens from Prague were transported via Bubny station to German and Polish concentration camps. The vast majority did not return. The deportations were preceded by a series of harsh, discriminatory policies. Jews were allowed to take no more than 50 kg of personal belongings. Before departure, they were forced to hand over their remaining possessions, including the keys to their homes. Preparation for deportation typically took three to four days. On the designated day, Jewish citizens were ordered to gather at an assembly point near the Praha-Bubny station. German soldiers and local police organized them into groups and escorted them to the waiting trains. In recent years, the Bubny station has been the site of an annual memorial...
Ever wondered if it’s time to switch to a better-paying job? This overview might help you find the position of your dreams. In the Czech Republic, air traffic controllers hold the crown for the highest salaries. With the heavy burden of responsibility, they also enjoy substantial rewards, earning an average of 215,000 CZK per month. By contrast, a courier can expect to earn less than a tenth of that amount. For a full breakdown, including over 300 different occupations, you can view the detailed infographic on Aktuálně. Occupation: air traffic controller median salary in 2023: CZK 215,091 median salary in 2013: CZK 154,203 Occupation: electrical engineers of air traffic control median salary in 2023: CZK 153,742 median salary in 2013: CZK 96,548 Occupation: managers in the field of financial and insurance services median salary in 2023: CZK 121,127 median salary in 2013: CZK 73,127 Occupation: managers in the field of ICT median salary in 2023: CZK 120,368 median salary in 2013: CZK 60,425 Occupation: managers in the field of strategy and policy of organizations median salary in 2023: CZK 108,411 median salary in 2013: CZK 60,744 Occupation: pilots, navigators and flight technicians median salary in 2023: CZK 104,242 median salary...
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has issued a warning for strong winds expected to hit the country starting Sunday night. The alert will primarily affect the Moravian-Silesian region, as well as parts of the Liberec and Olomouc regions. The wind warning will expand to cover most of the country, with the exception of the southeastern tip. According to the forecast, the winds will reach speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour in some areas, potentially snapping trees and causing minor structural damage. By Sunday evening, the winds are expected to subside. “It is advisable to secure windows and doors, remove or fasten any loose objects outdoors, and secure greenhouses,” the ČHMÚ urged. Residents should also consider postponing hiking trips along mountain ridges, as temperatures will be low, and wind speeds could reach up to 90 kilometers per hour in higher elevations. Rainfall may accompany the strong winds in certain areas, particularly in the northern parts of Bohemia by Sunday afternoon. Meteorologists also warned that snowfall could occur on mountain ridges such as the Krkonoše above 1,100 meters. Safety Tips as Winds Approach To prevent accidents or damage, the ČHMÚ recommends securing outdoor furniture, garden tools, and any other loose...
The Czech government has approved a draft revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which aims to phase out coal by 2033 and oil and gas by 2050. Under the plan, nuclear resources will be strengthened, mainly through the construction of new reactors, while the share of renewables will be increased to 40% by 2030 and to 60% in the next decade. The government also plans to increase the share of renewable energy sources from 15% to 30% by 2030. “The plan presents an outlook for the development of the energy sector until 2030. By then, electricity consumption will increase by around one-tenth compared to today. On the other hand, we foresee a significant drop in energy consumption and a reduction in coal-fired electricity generation,” Czech Energy and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela said on Wednesday. “We will also stop exporting brown coal electricity, the production of which will no longer be profitable due to the price of emission permits,” he added. In 2022, Czechia’s coal and nuclear power plants made it one of the world’s leading electricity exporters. However, the country is ready to lose this status and become an importer of clean energy from EU partners. “This will be...
The Czech government has unveiled an ambitious plan to place the country among the top ten European Union nations by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by 2040. Currently ranked 14th, the Czech Republic aims for significant economic growth through the recently approved Economic Strategy. Key Pillars of the Strategy The strategy, presented by the new Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček (STAN), focuses on four main areas: human capital development, strategic infrastructure, high-value industrialization, and enhanced financing options. “This strategy will not be another unfulfilled document,” Vlček assured. The plan emphasizes the importance of education, particularly in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), which are critical for the country’s future economic growth. The government also seeks to strengthen ties between companies and educational institutions to create innovative study programs that better align with market needs. In terms of infrastructure, the strategy outlines improvements in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure. These upgrades will be coupled with investments in sustainable energy and technological innovation to boost competitiveness and reduce environmental impact. The plan also highlights the need to develop the capital market to improve companies’ access to financing, reducing their reliance on traditional bank loans. “This includes venture capital...
Jakub Vágner, a renowned figure in Czech sport fishing, has achieved a new milestone, catching the largest catfish ever recorded in the Czech Republic with a rod. The fish measured an impressive 2.64 meters, breaking the national record. The remarkable catch took place in the Vranovská přehrada (Vranov Reservoir) near the city of Znojmo (South Moravia). According to Vágner, the fight to reel in the massive fish lasted for about half an hour. “The bubbles rising to the surface were as big as plates,” Vágner said, still visibly excited after the catch. “I’m trembling with excitement. I’ve dreamed of catching this fish for so long, and now it’s in my hands,” he added. “Setting a Czech record is nice, but the real joy comes from knowing that such incredible fish live right here in our waters. We don’t have to travel to Spain, Italy, or France to find them.” After the fish was measured, Vágner chose to release it back into the water, where it swam away slowly. This achievement surpasses Vágner’s previous record, set in June 2024, when he caught a 261-centimeter catfish in a different Czech waterway. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
An unusual incident took place on the afternoon of September 29 in Brno. A foreign passenger, reportedly Russian-speaking, was caught riding a tram without a valid ticket. When asked to pay a fine, the man decided to flee in an unexpected manner—by slipping through a narrow tram window. Before making his daring escape, the man had handed his passport to the ticket inspectors so they could issue a fine receipt. However, in his haste to get away, he left the document behind. Despite his quick getaway, his passport remained with the ticket inspectors, who later handed it over to the police. “Fare dodgers often try to escape, but this is the first time someone has done so through a window,” said Hana Tomastíková, a spokesperson for the Brno Transport Company. Although the man successfully evaded the inspectors at the scene, his escape was in vain. The transport company has already issued a receipt for the fine based on his passport details and will pursue payment. Meanwhile, the local police are investigating and are working to track down the individual. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Czech Ministry of Health is preparing significant new regulations for electronic cigarettes, which could drastically impact the vaping market in the country. The proposal aims to ban all e-cigarette flavors except for traditional tobacco. This move, however, has sparked widespread criticism from addiction specialists, manufacturers, and users alike. Experts argue that banning flavors may have unintended consequences. They warn it could lead to an increase in people returning to smoking traditional cigarettes due to a lack of appealing alternatives. E-cigarette manufacturers and users are also concerned that the ban could disrupt the market, with some fearing it may drive customers away entirely. Manufacturers have noted that e-cigarettes without flavors are rarely sold, which could effectively end their business in this sector. Former national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil has been critical of the proposed ban, stating, “Electronic cigarettes are a less risky alternative to traditional smoking, and many smokers switch to these products precisely because of the variety of available flavors.” Defining Which Flavors to Ban The debate is now shifting towards which specific flavors should be restricted. Some, including Zdenka Němečková Crkvenjaš (ODS), chair of the parliamentary health committee, have suggested limiting only “candy” flavors. However, Minister Válek acknowledged...
The Cake House is an innovative and modular home concept that was presented at the Designblok festival in Prague. The project was founded by Matyáš Švejdík, Pavel Špringl, and Šimon Marek, and described as an “architectural recipe for modular wooden houses”. The Cake House is intended to be a pitched-roof house that can be adapted and customized to the various needs of different people. “The main idea of Cake Houses stands on the belief that if you come up with good basic space and construction principles, you can then plot variable and individual designs fast and reliably because of the standardization,” said Švejdík. The overall shape of the house is maintained at all times, although, the length is personalized according to the customer’s needs. The Cake House utilizes an online configurator to try out hundreds of different layouts and internal and external finishes. The design is then converted into a wooden construction built using prefabricated parts. Currently, one Cake House has been built. It features a pitched roof and timber cladding which is seen in the Cake House design, this helps ensure that the home is affordable and economical. Although certain design factors have been implemented such as avoiding long...
The aurora borealis may be visible once again in the Czech Republic this weekend. This rare opportunity arises due to recent eruptions on the Sun, which have released plasma clouds heading partially toward Earth, according to astronomer Petr Horálek from the Institute of Physics in Opava. The last time this breathtaking natural phenomenon was visible in Czechia was during the summer holidays earlier this year. “There have been very strong eruptions on the Sun in the past two days,” Horálek explained. “The first eruption occurred on October 2, and the second, even stronger one, followed on Thursday. Both produced plasma clouds traveling in Earth’s direction, and especially the second one, the strongest in this solar cycle so far, is expected to cause significant auroras—most likely from Saturday to Sunday,” he added. Although the exact timing is unpredictable, those interested in witnessing the northern lights should keep an eye on solar wind activity. “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. predicts a storm intensity classified as G3, meaning auroras could be noticeable or even visible in our region,” Horálek noted. However, weather conditions may pose a challenge. “There’s a risk of cloud cover, but it may clear up,...
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