Czechia

Ban on E-Cigarette Flavors: Growing Criticism, Ministry Seeks Compromise

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...

 by Prague Morning Oct 07, 2024

These Budget-Friendly Wooden Homes Want to Transform Czech Living

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...

 by Prague Morning Oct 07, 2024

Northern Lights Could Illuminate Czech Skies This Weekend

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,...

 by Prague Morning Oct 05, 2024

Appoints.cz: A Game-Changer for Freelancers and Service Providers

Appoints.cz, an innovative new startup founded by Rufat Gafarov and Rashad Zeynalli, is thrilled to announce its official launch. Designed specifically for freelancers and service providers, Appoints.cz is now live and available for free to all users. Appoints.cz offers a fresh and dynamic platform for professionals to showcase their services, connect with potential clients, and manage bookings effortlessly. With a suite of powerful features, the platform aims to simplify client acquisition and elevate the business management experience for service providers across diverse industries. Key Features of Appoints.cz Include: Easy Booking System: An intuitive booking platform that simplifies scheduling for clients and service providers alike. Intuitive Discovery: Enhanced search and discovery tools to help clients find the right professionals effortlessly. Diverse Service Categories: From personal trainers to graphic designers, professionals across a wide range of service categories can create their profiles and reach new clients. Employee Management: The ability to add and manage multiple employees under one profile, making it perfect for businesses of all sizes. Chat and Photo Exchange: Secure, in-app communication for seamless interaction between clients and providers, including the exchange of photos. Notifications and Rescheduling: Stay updated with notifications and easily reschedule appointments as needed. Price Offer System:...

 by Prague Morning Oct 05, 2024

Czech Republic Leads EU in School Deferrals: Experts Urge Reform

The Czech Republic holds a concerning record in the European Union, with nearly a quarter of children beginning school later than they are eligible. Now, politicians and education experts are pushing for changes to reduce school deferrals. Every year, approximately 100,000 children in the Czech Republic reach the age to begin primary school. However, as many as 25% of these children start their education a year late, at age seven instead of six. This places the Czech Republic among the EU countries with the highest rate of school deferrals. “This is overdone,” says Jan Horkel, headmaster of Pod Žvahovem Primary School in Prague. “It creates an imbalance between older and younger children in the classroom. I fully support the idea that school deferrals should only be granted with the approval of a specialist doctor or the school itself.” However, not all parents share this view. Another mother notes, “I see more and more children getting deferrals. Some kids end up spending two years in preschool, while others don’t even get a spot because the classes are full. And then, there are those ‘vacation kids,’ born later in the year, whose readiness for school is often questioned.” Every year, educators encounter...

 by Prague Morning Sep 29, 2024

Czech Republic Braces for Cold Snap: Temperatures Drop Below Freezing

On Sunday night, temperatures across the Czech Republic plummeted below freezing, with more cold weather forecast for the coming days. Ground frosts are expected in the early mornings, with the coldest night predicted to be Monday. According to meteorologists, the worst of the cold front is yet to come. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reports that Sunday morning saw the coldest temperatures in the Pilsen, Karlovy Vary, and northern Bohemia regions. “We are currently seeing ground frost at several stations, with temperatures hovering around 2°C at two meters above ground level,” meteorologists stated early Sunday morning. The lowest temperatures were recorded in frost basins located in the Bohemian Forest. Hliniste and Volary dropped to -2.9°C, while Březník measured -2.6°C. Kvilda, Labská bouda, and Šerák also experienced sub-zero temperatures. Despite the freezing start, daytime highs could reach 14°C in some areas, although skies will mostly remain cloudy. Meteorologists attribute the cold spell to cold air flowing from the northwest, which is expected to bring even colder conditions by Monday night. The average minimum nighttime temperature could dip to 3°C, with thermometers in some areas approaching zero. “Ground frosts are expected in numerous locations and could pose a threat to vegetables,” warned meteorologists....

 by Prague Morning Sep 29, 2024

Foreign Ministry Calls on Czechs in Lebanon to Leave the Country

The Czech Foreign Ministry has advised Czech nationals in Lebanon to leave the country as the violence escalates between Israel and Hezbollah. On Saturday, the Israeli government said it had killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, with the Israeli Defence Forces posting on X that he would “no longer be able to terrorise the world”. It comes after a series of massive explosions levelled multiple apartment buildings in Beirut on Friday night. There are currently 98 Czechs registered in the Drozd travel system in the Middle Eastern country. Ettie Higgins, Unicef’s deputy representative in Lebanon, said “thousands and thousands” of people had fled southern Beirut, while hospitals were “overwhelmed” and water pumping stations had been destroyed. “Even the most basic essential services of healthcare and water are now being rapidly, rapidly depleted,” she added. “There was already a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon given that it’s been hosting over 1 million refugees from Syria for over a decade, so it’s rapidly escalating into a catastrophe.” The Israeli army chief, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, told troops on Wednesday that ongoing airstrikes were “to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah”. In Brussels, European...

 by Prague Morning Sep 28, 2024

September 28: Happy Statehood Day, Czechia!

On 28th September Czechia commemorates the death of the Patron of the state – St Wenceslas.  On 28 September Czechia celebrates Saint Wenceslas Day, officially known as the Day of Czech Statehood. Statehood Day commemorates the death of an important figure in Czech history – Duke Václav (in Czech). It was on this day back in 935 A.D. (with some sources pointing to 929) when the member of the Přemyslid dynasty Prince Wenceslas was murdered in Staré Boleslav as a result of his brother’s plot. The Patron Saint of Bohemia Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Bohemia region in Czechia. As the popular story goes, he was born in 907 as the son of the Duke of Bohemia. In 922, when Wenceslas was barely 15 years old, he took over the Bohemian throne, following the early death of his father. Himself a believing Christian, he is known for his support for the Christian faith and church and his attempts to unify the region and establish peace with the neighbouring Germanic states. However, his policies made him many enemies, as well. One of them was his own brother Boleslav who plotted to have him murdered during a mass on 28th...

 by Prague Morning Sep 28, 2024

Czech Republic’s Population Declines: Sharp Drop in Births and Migration

The population of the Czech Republic fell by 21,500 to 10.88 million in the first half of 2024, with deaths outnumbering births and a negative migration balance contributing to the decline. This trend mirrors a broader demographic shift, as the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) announced on Friday. The data highlights a sharp drop in births and a decline in the number of marriages compared to the same period in 2023. Significant Decline in Births The number of births in the first half of this year fell by 10% compared to the same period last year. “From January to June, 41,600 children were born alive,” said Michaela Němečková from the CZSO’s demographic statistics department. She added that the decline in births had followed a similar pattern over the past two years. Notably, the number of children born to women aged 25 to 29 dropped the most—by 15%. Deaths Continue to Outpace Births From January to June, 55,500 people died in the Czech Republic, which is 13,900 more than the number of births. However, the number of deaths was 3% lower than in the same period last year. The highest death rates were seen in men aged 75 to 79 and women...

 by Prague Morning Sep 27, 2024

Large Supermarkets Will Be Closed on 28 September

September 28th is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. It is the feast day of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, and commemorates his death in 935. Stores with an area exceeding 200 square meters, such as supermarkets and furniture stores, will be closed. The prohibition of operation on this day does not apply to gas stations, pharmacies, and stores located in areas with a high concentration of travelers at airports and train stations. The only large supermarkets in Prague that will be legally open are Billa stores at Václav Havel Airport Prague and at the train station Praha hlavní nádraží. Fines for breaching the law can be levied in an amount up to 1 million crowns. The law closing most large stores on holidays will continue to be in effect on Christmas Eve on December 24 (in the afternoon), Christmas Day on December 25, and St Stephen’s Day on December 26. What to do on Saturday, September 28 September 28 marks also the Open Day of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, which opens the doors of the Nostitz Palace to visitors and welcomes both adults and children with a host of special programs. The...

 by Richard Golbeck Sep 26, 2024

October 5-8: Architecture Day Opens Buildings in Prague and Across Czechia

This fall again, the KRUH association in cooperation with local-based organizations and initiatives is organizing the nationwide festival known as Architecture Day, with many Czech and Moravian cities, towns, and other municipalities of all magnitudes engaging in its numerous events. This year’s 14th edition will run between October 5 and October 8. Architecture Day is not just about walks, but also bike rides, cruises, screenings, discussions, workshops for families, art installations, and happenings. And the associated festival Film and Architecture. Historical highlights in Prague are the Judith Bridge Tower on the Malá Strana side of Charles Bridge, the Baroque summer residence Portheimka, and Veleslavín Chataeu. Modern examples include the Cubist-style House of the Black Madonna, the former art nouveau Gráf Hotel in I.P. Pavlova, the industrial premises of a former Praga car factory, the functionalist building of the Edison Transformation Station by architect František A. Libra, a boiler room designed by Karel Prager, and a complex of a water tower, among several others. The festival takes place in an average of 85 towns and villages or venues each year, with more than 350 events taking place over the course of a week. Despite the difficult pandemic situation in 2020 and 2021, a historical record...

 by Prague Morning Sep 24, 2024

Czechs to Develop Small Nuclear Reactors with Rolls-Royce

The Czech Republic has chosen UK firm Rolls-Royce SMR after assessing seven potential technology suppliers for its proposed small modular reactor programme. The Ministry of Trade said that the applicants were approached “on the basis of their potential suitability for placement in the Czech Republic … Rolls-Royce SMR emerged as the best company with which ČEZ (the Czech nuclear power company) wants to establish a strategic partnership”. The government will now carry out a “safety assessment of the British company” as was done for those who bid for the recent large nuclear units contracts – involving the Ministry of the Interior, Security Information Service, ÚZSI, Military Intelligence and other key institutions to ensure it complies with the state’s security requirements. The first small modular reactor (SMR) is planned by ČEZ at a site near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant in the 2030s, “before the start up of the new large Czech nuclear unit which is planned for before 2040”, the ministry said. ČEZ is also looking at other sites suitable for SMRs, including Tušimice and Dětmarovice where survey and monitoring work is taking place to see if they are suitable nuclear sites. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said: “Small modular...

 by Prague Morning Sep 20, 2024

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