• Significant increase in Lyme disease cases
    07/06/2023

    Doctors have recorded 921 cases of Lyme disease in the first half of this year, almost a tenth more than last year, according to the State Health Institute. The health authorities ascribe this to the significantly higher incidence of infected ticks around the country and have called on people spending time outdoors to be aware, dress appropriately and use repellents in wooded areas with high grass. Ticks can also cause encephalitis, a serious disease affecting the nervous system. Although there is a vaccine for the latter relatively few Czechs get inoculated.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Czech chefs call on government to pay fee for inclusion in prestigious Michelin guide
    07/06/2023

    Leading Czech chefs are signing an open letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala calling on the state to pay the Michelin fee required for inclusion in the prestigious gastronomic guide. They argue that Czechia’s inclusion in the Michelin Guide promotes gastro-tourism and has the potential to bring tourists to the regions. The open letter has been signed by some of the country’s top chefs, among them Zdeněk Pohlreich, Jan Punčochář and Jan Knedla. The Michelin fee for inclusion is 10 million crowns over the next three years.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Czech doctor fined for groping hygiene officer in South Korea
    07/06/2023

    A Czech military doctor who allegedly groped a female hygienist in South Korea in April has been fined 170,000 crowns, according to the news site Lidovky.cz. The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed the news, saying that if the local prosecutor does not appeal, the decision will become final in a week's time, and the doctor - Lieutenant Colonel Ivo Kašpárek - will be able to leave South Korea. He has been in detention in the country since April when he was accused of having slapped A South Korean hygienist on the backside while she was taking the temperature of passengers as part of anti-Covid measures after they landed at the airport in Seoul.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Czechs commemorate reformer priest Jan Hus
    07/06/2023

    Czechs are commemorating the reformer priest Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in 1415. Masses are being celebrated in his memory around the country, among others in Jan Hus’ birthplace Husinec and at Bethlehem chapel in Prague, where the reformer priest preached.

    The events linked to the anniversary include theatre performances, debates, music concerts and film screenings dedicated to Jan Hus. Hus’ birthplace Husinec, will open the house where was born to the public.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Heavy storms fell trees and flood cellars in south and eastern Czechia
    07/06/2023

    Heavy storms brought down trees and flooded homes in the southern and eastern parts of the country on Wednesday, the ctk nbews agency reported. Firefighters were called to dozens of emergencies working late into the night to clear roads from fallen trees and pump water from flooded gardens and cellars. Rail transport was disrupted on several routes by trees blocking the tracks. The extent of the damage is not yet known.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Robin Wright to present The Princess Bride at Karlovy Vary
    07/06/2023

    American actress Robin Wright arrived at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Wednesday evening. Today, she will present a screening of the romantic comedy The Princess Bride, where she starred as Buttercup. On Saturday she will receive the President's Award at the closing gala ceremony.

    Thursday’s screenings include the classic Czech comedy Ball Lightning, Fremont which is included in the Crystal Globe Competition and the iconic film The Way of the Dragon, starring Bruce Lee.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Weather forecast
    07/05/2023

    Thursday should be clear to partly cloudy with daytime highs between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.

  • Poll suggests Justice Minister Pavel Blažek undermines public trust in judiciary
    07/05/2023

    Justice Minister Pavel Blažek undermines public trust in the judiciary, according to the outcome of a poll conducted by the Median agency for Czech Radio. Fifty-one percent of respondents expressed this view, while 20 percent disagreed with it. The Pirate Party, a junior member of the ruling coalition, has criticized the minister, citing his possible conflict of interest in relation to an investigation of a corruption case in Brno and some of his controversial actions in office in recent months. For example, the server Seznam Zprávy reported that Blažek had obtained part of a classified police file on a case in which his fellow party members were prosecuted.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Accident on Czech-Slovak border closes D2 motorway
    07/05/2023

    An accident involving three international transport trucks closed the D2 motorway on the Czech-Slovak border on Wednesday. The accident happened on the Slovak side of the border shortly after 8am CET.   Slovak rescue services intervened at the scene and Czech assistance was not required. Drivers heading to the Czechia had to turn back and take detours.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • EC Vice-President Jourova: Significant problems with rule of law, remain in Hungary and Poland
    07/05/2023

    Significant problems with rule of law, remain in Hungary and Poland, although smaller shortcomings can be found in all member states, European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová said, presenting the Commission’s annual assessment of the state of the rule of law in the alliance. Czechia has reportedly made progress by introducing beneficial reforms in the judiciary, but has shortcomings in corruption investigations, especially in cases involving high-placed officials.

    According to the EC’s report, the member states have partially or fully implemented two-thirds of the EC’s recommendations but further action is needed. The report is based on four pillars: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and other institutional checks-and balances.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

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