Former Czech President Milos Zeman was released from a hospital Wednesday following surgery for a blood clot in his leg. Miloslav Ludvik, director of Motol University Hospital in Prague, said Zeman will now recuperate at home. Doctors at the clinic discovered during a medical check on March 14 that Zeman had an insufficient blood supply in one of his legs because of the blood clot and immediately operated on him. The supply of blood was restored during the operation but Zeman, 79, remained in serious but stable condition for days. Zeman used to be a heavy smoker and drinker and suffers from diabetes and neuropathy. He has been hospitalized several times. He has trouble walking and has been using a wheelchair. Zeman´s second and final term in the largely ceremonial post of president ended in March last year. In office, he sought closer ties with China and was a leading pro-Russian voice in EU politics. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Zeman condemned the “unprovoked act of aggression.” He opposed initial EU sanctions against Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Czech Republic continues to be a beacon of safety in Europe, according to a recent crime and safety ranking. While it dropped a few spots compared to last year, the country remains significantly safer than its neighbors. A new index by Numbeo surveyed 43 European nations, placing the Czech Republic at 12th for safety. This is a slight decrease from its 10th-place ranking in 2023. The Crime and Safety Index relies on public surveys, gauging people’s feelings of security during the day and night, as well as their fear of specific crimes like mugging or harassment. Numbeo assigns crime rates a score from zero to one hundred. Very low crime falls between 20 and 40, while medium crime ranges from 40 to 60. High crime scores land between 60 and 80, with very high crime exceeding 80. France, deemed the least safe country in Europe, received a score of 55.3. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, enjoyed a much lower rating of 26.8. This trend continues with the safety index, where the Czech Republic scored a reassuring 73.7. Interestingly, all of the Czech Republic’s neighbors fared worse in the rankings. Austria came in 13th, Poland 14th, Slovakia 15th,...
This year’s March was the warmest in Czechia since 1961, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute revealed on social media site X on Tuesday. The average temperature soared to 7°C, a remarkable 3.8°C higher than the typical range observed between 1991 and 2020. This is the second month in a row to break a temperature record; February was also unusually warm with an average temperature of 5.7 degrees Celsius. Throughout the month, several intervals brought significantly warm weather, with average daily temperatures exceeding the usual range by more than 4°C. While many Czech stations witnessed temperature records tumble in the final days of March, the summer threshold of 25°C remained unbroken. However, April 1st marked the year’s first day exceeding this mark, with Karviná recording a high of 26°C. February also witnessed remarkably high temperatures, averaging 5.7°C – a significant 6.1°C above the 1991-2020 norm. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Czechia is not sufficiently prepared for crises and other extraordinary situations, says the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) in an annual report for last year published on Tuesday. The Czech Republic’s crisis readiness was criticized by the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) in its 2023 annual report. NKU warns of insufficient preparation for emergencies, citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of substantive action. Weaknesses in soft target protection and defense spending inefficiencies were also noted. Direct contracts for arms procurement raised auditors’ concerns about potential waste. Minimal practical improvements in crisis preparedness were observed, risking significant damage to public health. A prime example is the recent acquisition of 24 US F-35 fighter jets, the most expensive purchase in Czech military history. While strengthening defenses is crucial in the current climate, the SAO emphasizes the need for efficient use of limited resources. The Supreme Audit Office also said that it was likely that the state would repeat similar mistakes at critical moments; this could lead to significant damage and wasted funding and may endanger the health of the population. The SAO also warns that the increasing national debt places a burden on future generations. This is particularly concerning as inflation erodes...
Protest linked to petition ‘Czech artists for a cease-fire,’ with signatories including celebrities such as Tomas Klus, Vojtech, Bara Basikova, Jana Kirschner, Vladimir518, and band Vesna. A number of Czech artists took an unprecedented stand against the ongoing war in Gaza by calling for a cease-fire at an award ceremony on Saturday. The artists at the Anděl Awards ceremony held a banner with the inscription “Artists for Ceasefire” and wore a red badge with a palm symbol symbolizing a call to end violence. The protest is linked to the petition “Czech artists for a cease-fire,” which asks representatives of the Czech Republic “to call for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Gaza before thousands more people lose their lives.” The signatories include popular Czech celebrities such as Tomas Klus, Vojtech, Bara Basikova, Jana Kirschner, Vladimir518, and the band Vesna. The petition expressed strong reservations about the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip and called for an end to the war on humanitarian grounds. Earlier, at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, US celebrities protested the rising civilian death toll in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks. The evening’s highlight was a speech by award-winning director Jonathan Glazer. Glazer, who won...
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has declared a smog situation in several regions due to high concentrations of dust particles linked to Saharan sand. The affected areas include the Moravian-Silesian Region, South Bohemia, Brno, and Vysočina. Authorities advise residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity due to potential breathing difficulties caused by the dust. The Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute said the sand, which increases the concentration of dust particles in the air, may be present in Czechia until Monday. As of Sunday morning, data from the institute’s website revealed dust levels exceeding 100 micrograms per cubic meter in several locations across the country. ČHMÚ declares a smog situation when at least half of a region’s monitoring stations record a 12-hour average PM10 concentration exceeding 100 micrograms per cubic meter, with no improvement expected within the next 24 hours. “The situation’s development remains unclear,” ČHMÚ stated on Saturday, acknowledging the unusual nature of the event. ČHMÚ urges residents, particularly older adults, young children, and those with respiratory illnesses or heart conditions, to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the smog event. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The new tourist season officially gets underway in Czechia on Thursday, with castles, chateaux, and other national monuments administered by the National Heritage Institute opening their doors to the public. Most of the privately owned monuments that still belong to their original aristocratic owners also open ahead of the Easter holidays. Visitors can expect a combination of familiar favorites and exciting new offerings, including extended opening hours, newly accessible areas, and special Easter programs at some locations. However, be prepared for slightly higher entrance fees at many state-run castles and chateaus this year. Increased Costs Lead to Ticket Price Adjustments The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has implemented price hikes ranging from CZK 20 to CZK 60 at some monuments. This decision reflects rising operational costs and reduced funding from the Ministry of Culture. The good news? Entrance fees remain unchanged at roughly a quarter of the monuments. Additionally, 100 NPÚ-managed sites will be open daily throughout the Easter holidays, with some offering special themed events. Further enhancements are underway at Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau, with the fully restored Bellarie Summer Palace opening on a new visitor route starting in September. The Golden Crown Monastery will also unveil its...
Czech intelligence has busted a Moscow-financed network that spread Russian propaganda and wielded influence across Europe, including in the European Parliament, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Wednesday. The group used the Prague-based Voice of Europe news site to spread information seeking to discourage the European Union from sending aid to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022. Fiala said the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) discovered that the pro-Russian network was indulging in activities that “would have a serious impact on the security of the Czech Republic and the EU.” “This group sought to carry out operations and activities on EU territory aimed against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” Fiala told reporters. “The group’s activity… also reaches the European Parliament,” he said, refusing to disclose further details. Czech authorities have sanctioned some of those involved but the Voice of Europe continues to publish articles. The BIS said the network was financed from Russia and operating on Czech territory. “The BIS operation unveiled how Russia is wielding influence on the territory of EU member states and how it is trying to affect political processes in our countries,” it said on X, formerly Twitter....
Prague grapples with a critical housing affordability crisis, holding the distinction of having the least affordable housing in Europe. While private construction plays a role, a new analysis by non-profit housing organizations emphasizes the need for substantial political intervention. The report, presented on Tuesday, highlights a worsening situation despite existing measures by the Prague City Council. The authors propose solutions like expanding municipal housing, rent regulation, and progressive taxation on investment flats. Representatives from Arnika, Re-set, Platform for Social Housing, Tenants’ Union, and Sustainable Housing in Central Prague co-authored the study. “Despite existing policies,” stated Václav Orcígr of Arnika, the report’s editor, “the housing situation has fundamentally worsened, making Prague the European city with the most unaffordable housing.” The analysis cites a Politico report from late 2023, claiming it takes roughly 25 years of average net income to acquire a 75-square-meter apartment in Prague. The analyst Nina Fabšíková, pointed out that apartment prices have surged by 50% over the past five years, while rents have increased by 30%. Nominal wages have risen by 21%, but real wages, adjusted for inflation, have actually decreased by 15%. The report reveals that a significant portion of Prague households (up to 25%) dedicate over...
Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have stumbled across an incredible find — an apparent 1,000-year-old ice skate! Archaeologist Zdeněk Schenk, who led a team of researchers, said that the ice skate was made with an animal’s bone rather than metal. “The object has a specific shape,” Schenk explained. “On one side, it is curved into a tip which has a hole drilled in it, and there is another hole at the back.” According to the outlet, the ice skate was discovered in the city of Přerov during a “rescue” excavation in the basement of a home in the area. During the interview, Schenk said that the centuries-old innovation was resistant to rust thanks to the material being built from the bone of an animal, though it is unknown what type of mammal remains were used. He said it may have been made from a horse bone. He also described how the ice skates were made. “[The holes] were used to thread a strap through, which was used to attach the skate to a shoe or to a wooden sledge,” Schenk said. The researcher also added that there are not enough biological remnants to accurately date the archeological find, however, by...
Unusually warm winter temperatures have caused a rare almond grove in the Czech Republic, to bloom weeks ahead of schedule. This early burst of beauty is a cause for celebration but also raises worries about potential frost damage that could devastate the year’s harvest. Almond trees are typically associated with warmer climates like California and the Mediterranean. So how did Hustopece, nestled in south-east of Czechia, come to have its own almond grove? The answer lies in the Cold War era. Following the communist takeover in 1948, Czechoslovakia faced a severe shortage of goods, including almonds. The regime aimed for self-sufficiency and established the Hustopece grove in the 1950s. Experts meticulously identified a south-facing slope near Hustopece as the country’s warmest microclimate and tested various almond cultivars to maximize harvest yields. By 1960, the grove boasted over 50,000 trees, a true Central European oddity. The almonds supplied a local chocolate factory, but production challenges led to a significant reduction in the grove’s size by the 1970s. Apricot trees, better suited to the region’s climate, were planted in their place. Finally, the Velvet Revolution of 1989 opened the market to global trade, and the Hustopece grove’s commercial purpose dwindled. A New...
Poverty and indebtedness are on the rise in the Czech Republic, according to the Caritas Cares 2023 report published today. The most at-risk groups are single mothers, the long-term unemployed, the elderly, and people with mental health problems, and the worsening situation is most evident in housing, according to the report. Caritas CR is the largest provider of social services for the needy in the Czech Republic. It publishes reports on the social situation in the country every two years. This time it focused on poverty and the associated lack of affordable housing, access to services and long-term care, and debt. The report is based on research carried out last June and July in its counselling centres, shelters and other facilities. Indebtedness still affects a significant number of the country’s inhabitants; clients of Caritas counselling centres often fail to meet their obligations due to high levels of debt, and many cannot enter debt relief at all due to insufficient income, Caritas said. According to Iva Kuchynkova, the Caritas social manager, wages are also declining due to the post-COVID period, and many people are in debt due to rising energy prices. On average, 70% of clients of its counselling centres are...
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