The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has issued a warning for unusually high mosquito activity this weekend. The alert is valid nationwide and advises residents to be prepared for an increased presence of mosquitoes. “In certain parts of the Czech Republic, current weather conditions favor intense mosquito activity, which could be particularly severe. Mosquitoes thrive in warm, still air with high humidity,” the agency announced on the social platform X. The recent heavy rainfall has also contributed to the surge in mosquito numbers by creating ideal breeding grounds for larvae. The institute explained, “Not only do favorable weather conditions play a role, but population dynamics— which differ among mosquito species— also influence their prevalence.” The peak of mosquito activity is expected on Saturday and Sunday, with signs of increased activity already noticeable by Friday afternoon, particularly in the Hradec Králové and Liberec regions. Maps shared by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute show that few areas across the country will be spared from these persistent pests. However, by Sunday, some relief is anticipated, especially in regions like Vysočina, Plzeň, Karlovy Vary, and Liberec. Mosquito development is largely driven by weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. Warmer temperatures shorten the time it takes for...
Delivery service Foodora has expanded its offerings to include over-the-counter medicines, now available for home delivery in partnership with Dr. Max pharmacies. This service is currently active in Prague and Brno, with plans to extend it to Ostrava soon. This service is a response to the increasing demand for fast delivery, especially during times when health concerns are a priority. “We aim to provide everything our users might need throughout the day, including essential medicines,” said Adam Kolesa, CEO of Foodora. He emphasized that working with Dr. Max is a logical step in making over-the-counter medicines more accessible. High Demand for Cold and Pain Remedies The service was initially tested in central Prague, where it received a strong response from customers. The product range includes not only medicines but also supplements and toiletries. The most popular items have been flu and cold treatments, such as nasal sprays and hot drinks like Coldrex, Paralen, and Strepsils. Pain relievers like Ibalgin have also been in high demand. Within just a few months, Foodora has sold over 177 different types of medicines, showing the service’s popularity. A Growing Trend in Quick Medicine Delivery Similar services have been gaining traction internationally. In Germany, a...
The village of Soutice sits on the border of the Kutná Hora and Benešov districts. A road leading from the D1 motorway to Zruč nad Sázavou runs through the edge of the village, adding to the appeal of the local castle. This protected cultural monument, with a total land area of 50,133 square meters, is now on the market. Built in the late 17th century on the site of a former fortress, the Soutice chateau has been a cultural monument since the late 1950s. Conservationists describe the well-preserved structure as a valuable example of an aristocratic country residence. During a building history survey, Gothic masonry was found within the walls of the current structure, placing the castle on the list of endangered monuments. The castle suffered significant damage from a major fire in 1895 and underwent its last major restoration in the early 20th century. Like many historical sites, it was negatively impacted by the regime and poorly planned renovations in the years that followed. Before World War II, the castle was a hub of cultural activity. In the post-war years, it served as a school and later as an archive. A Surprising Price The property for sale includes the...
On 29 June, the Regional Organiser of Prague Integrated Transport (ROPID) launched a new rule regarding the operation of public buses in the Czech capital. The buses do not stop at bus stops anymore unless specifically requested to do so either by onboard passengers or by people waiting at the stop. More specifically, onboard passengers need to press a stop request button before the bus gets to the actual stop – that itself is an already common and widely used practice worldwide. Regarding people waiting at bus stops, the operator has stated that all they have to do is stand at the bus stop and face the incoming vehicle in a way that the driver has to see them. Previously, wannabe passengers had to raise their hands, but this is not required anymore. This may seem fairly straightforward, however, a month and a half later, the changes have left many public transport users confused, especially the elderly. Some of them told Metro.cz they didn’t understand why stops near hospitals are request stops, when they almost always have people – often elderly and with limited mobility – needing to use them. Furthermore, some older bus shelters are opaque (most new bus...
Running in European cities is becoming increasingly popular, with a notable rise in interest over the past year. According to weloveholidays, a travel research firm, Prague has secured a spot among the top European cities for runners. Searches for “European marathons 2024” have surged by over 550% in the last 12 months, indicating the growing interest in running. The study analyzed the 25 largest cities in Europe based on their suitability for running. It considered six key factors: the number of running routes, average temperature, altitude range, the number of running events, available activities, and green spaces. The research crowned Stockholm as the best European city for runners. Experts highlighted the Swedish capital for its extensive urban space, offering the most running routes in all of Europe. Whether runners prefer scenic routes by the water, hilly city runs, or jogging in one of the city’s 31 parks, Stockholm has it covered. Additionally, Stockholm was noted as the coldest city on the list, with an average temperature of 7.3°C. Paris came in second, boasting 181 parks despite having only 59 official running trails. Dublin followed in third place, with over 190 trails and an average temperature of 9.4°C. Prague Secures Fifth...
A new campaign running until mid-September aims to educate passengers about harassment on Prague’s public transport. The campaign, which will be featured in over 150 locations including billboards, public transport stops, and on buses and trams, highlights how to identify and respond to harassment. According to a survey by the Government Office’s Department for Gender Equality, one in three women and one in ten men have experienced harassment while using public transport. Despite this, a third of witnesses fail to react when they observe such behavior. “With this campaign, we are conveying three key messages to passengers. First, we are highlighting various forms of harassment, which can include more than just physical contact or verbal comments. Unwanted staring can also be a form of harassment. Second, we aim to normalize the idea of speaking up when something inappropriate occurs, even if it doesn’t directly involve us. Third, we provide an option for people to share their experiences anonymously on our website,” explains Anna Hrábková from Konsent, the campaign’s creator. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zdeněk Hřib (@zdenek.hrib) The campaign is a collaborative effort between Konsent, the City Hall of Prague, Prague Integrated Transport, the...
Latvian airline Air Baltic has decided to name 48 of its aircraft after real Baltic cities. To select these names, the carrier launched an online vote, inviting the public to participate. The competition was straightforward until Czech users noticed the Estonian city of Kunda among the options. In Czech, the word “kunda” is a vulgar term for female genitalia. The competition features 232 cities from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. From each country, the 16 cities with the most votes will be chosen. Within a year of finalizing the results, each of the 48 winning names will be used on Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Voting is open to everyone on a special website, with no registration required. The process will continue until the evening of 22 August. The airline, perhaps naively or strategically, has kept the voting open not only to the Baltic countries but to the entire world. In the Czech Republic, internet users quickly seized the opportunity, spreading the word on social media with calls to “participate in the most important vote of your life” and “fulfill your Czech duty.” So far, the plan appears successful—Kunda leads among Estonian cities by a large margin. The town of Püssi is in...
Czech beer exports dropped by 4.3% in 2023, falling to 5.7 million hectolitres, according to data from the Czech Association of Brewers. This decline mirrors the overall stagnation in the global beer market, with consumption still below pre-COVID-19 levels and not expected to fully recover until 2027, according to Statista. Despite this dip, more than one in four Czech beers is exported, making the international market crucial for local brewers. While overall Czech beer exports have nearly tripled over the past 25 years, recent declines have not affected all brewers equally. Heineken, in particular, saw its export volume drop by over half, losing 265,000 hectolitres. This reduction, attributed to either market shifts in Russia or changes in Heineken’s European export strategy, knocked the company from fourth to fifth among Czech exporters. Despite this, Heineken’s domestic sales remained stable. Plzeňský Prazdroj, the dominant player in both the domestic and export markets, also experienced a decline, with a 7.25% drop in physical exports. However, when including licensed production brewed abroad, Prazdroj’s overall export volume remained relatively steady. Pilsner Urquell, its flagship product, continues to be brewed exclusively in Plzen, while the more mainstream Kozel brand is also produced under license internationally. Budvar’s...
This Saturday, August 17th, Venezuelans in the Czech Republic will gather to express their concerns regarding the recent electoral process in their homeland, along with issues related to government actions and human rights. The demonstration is scheduled for 12h at Wenceslas Square, near the equestrian statue. On July 28th, Nicolás Maduro and the government rejected the results of the presidential elections in Venezuela. According to organizations such as the Carter Center, and various independent investigations, the candidate of the democratic opposition coalition, Edmundo González Urrutia, was believed to have won by a significant margin. Following the announcement of Nicolás Maduro as the president-elect, there were widespread protests in Venezuela, which were met with a strong response from the authorities. In the days that followed, there have been reports of arrests and other actions targeting dissidents, activists, journalists, and citizens. To date, there have been at least 24 fatalities and more than 1,300 arrests reported between July 29th and August 14th. Additionally, there have been concerns about media restrictions, including the blocking of news websites and social media platforms, which has prompted the UN Fact-Finding Mission to issue a statement on the situation. Venezuelan residents in the Czech Republic also call...
The popular Irish retailer Primark has announced plans to open its second store in Prague. The new location will be at the Metropol Zličín shopping center, situated next to the Zličín metro station. The news was confirmed in a company press release. The new store will cover an area of 2,800 square meters and is set to open in winter 2024, although the exact date has not been disclosed. This expansion will create 140 new jobs. This will be Primark’s third physical store in the Czech Republic. The first store opened in the summer of 2021 on Wenceslas Square, within the Flow Building shopping and office center. The second store followed in autumn 2022 in Brno, which also drew a large number of excited shoppers. Despite the company’s growth in locations, Primark’s financial report for the last fiscal year, ending on August 31, 2023, revealed a loss of 4.2 million crowns. This is a notable decline compared to the previous year’s profit of 80.8 million crowns. However, the company’s revenue increased by 62 percent year-on-year, reaching 1.65 billion crowns. Primark attributed the drop in profit to rising costs in materials, logistics, and payroll, which the company chose not to pass...
The owner of the recently renovated Máj department store in Prague has announced that an unauthorized outdoor playground on the building’s roof will be removed and replaced with a parking area. Karolína Šnejdarová, a spokesperson for Prague 1, confirmed the news, stating that the change is in line with the building’s original permit and approved plans. The Máj department store, which is owned by Amadeus Real Estate, reopened in June after a complete reconstruction. Last week, the Prague 1 construction office received notice from the investors that they had withdrawn their application for an additional permit to legalize the playground. “All playground equipment is being dismantled, with the process expected to be completed by the end of September. The fifth-floor terrace will then be restored to its approved use as a parking area,” Šnejdarová said. Martin Klán, a board member of Amadeus Real Estate, explained to Hospodářské noviny that the issue arose due to an oversight by the playground contractor. “It seems the contractor mistakenly considered the installation of mobile play elements as a non-construction modification, which typically does not require a permit,” Klán said. The Máj shopping mall reopened to the public on June 24 after a two-year renovation...
The railway bridge on Výton will be replaced by a new construction and will be moved to a location near the Modřany dam, where it will serve as a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The Railway Administration (SŽ) intends to replace the bridge due to its deteriorating condition, a move that has faced opposition from conservationists, local associations, and town halls. Despite ongoing disputes about its future, the bridge’s riveted structure from the late 19th and early 20th centuries is a protected historical monument, which means it must be preserved. A plan has been developed to relocate the bridge so it can remain in use, albeit with a reduced load capacity. The Railroad Administration has already begun an engineering study of sites near the Modřany dam, which identified a better location further downstream. Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) highlighted that the new site, where an existing ferry operates, is popular and demonstrates a clear demand for a pedestrian link. Pavel Paidar, director of SŽ’s railway modernization department, confirmed that SŽ is prepared to manage both the bridge’s relocation and the construction of new supports. He also noted that the relocated bridge could be restored to include Art Nouveau elements lost...
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