Alcohol Remains a Major Health Threat in Czechia

Alcohol consumption claims up to 7,000 lives in the Czech Republic each year and remains one of the country’s most serious public health risks. Medical experts estimate that up to 40 percent of the population is at risk due to alcohol use. The impact extends beyond liver and heart disease, affecting mental health, memory, sleep, and social relationships. More than 10,000 people are hospitalized every year with illnesses directly linked to alcohol, most often men between the ages of 35 and 45.

Secondary School Applications Open Until February 20

Applications for secondary schools in the Czech Republic are open until February 20. Students can apply online through the DiPSy system or submit a paper application, with the timing of submission having no effect on admission chances. Applicants may list up to five study programmes in order of preference, with acceptance based on entrance exam results and ranking. Last year, several regions, including Prague, recorded more applications than available places.

Prague to Spend Nearly CZK 300 Million on Flood Protection in Libeň

Prague will invest almost 300 million crowns in strengthening flood protection in the Libeň district, where major weaknesses were exposed during the 2013 floods. The city council has approved a tender to expand the pumping station at the Libeň docks near the mouth of the Rokytka stream. Its current capacity of 20 cubic metres per second has proved insufficient. After reconstruction, the capacity is expected to double, and the facility will be modernised and equipped with backup mobile power sources for use during outages.

Electric Vehicle Charging Network Grows by 20 Percent Across Czechia

The number of electric vehicle charging stations in the Czech Republic increased by nearly 20 percent last year, bringing the total to more than 7,500 charging points nationwide. The expansion follows a sharp rise in electric vehicle registrations. In 2024 alone, the number of electric cars grew by 21,000, pushing the total number of registered electric vehicles in the country to almost 58,000.

Blood Supplies in Czech Hospitals are Running Low as Donors Age

Blood reserves in Czech hospitals are thinning as the number of donors continues to fall, with younger people failing to replace an ageing donor base, according to an analysis by Seznam Zprávy. The Czech Republic has around 230,000 regular blood donors, well below the roughly 300,000 recommended by the World Health Organization.

Filip Turek Considers Lawsuit Against President Over Ministerial Snub

Politician Filip Turek has announced he is prepared to file a defamation lawsuit against the Czech president after the head of state refused to appoint him as environment minister. Turek argues that the president ignored the outcome of the parliamentary elections and entered a political confrontation by effectively siding with the opposition. He says he will seek a public apology.