• Czech skier dies in Austrian Alps
    02/13/2023

    A 55-year-old Czech skier died on Sunday on the Mölltal Glacier in Austria, most likely after running into another individual on the piste.  The man subsequently fell from a precipice and was not moving when he was found. An autopsy has been commissioned and Austrian police are investigating whether the death was an accident or a case of involuntary manslaughter.

    The deceased man was on a skiing holiday with two friends, one of whom was also found lying in the snow, but without any serious injuries.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Cybercrime incidents on the rise
    02/13/2023

    Cybercrime is on the rise in Czechia, Czech Television reported on Monday. Incidents of online criminality grew by 100 percent between 2021 and 2022, with more than 18,500 cases reported to the police. Cybercrime made up one tenth of all criminal cases in the country.

    Cyber criminality is very innovative, the TV station reports, with criminals continuously coming up with new and more sophisticated forms of attacks. According to the Czech Banking Association, an individual attack results in an average of CZK 161,500 in damages. Czech Police warns that all members of society are at risk from this form of criminality.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Weather
    02/12/2023

    Temperatures are expected to range around seven degrees Celsius on Monday, with overcast skies in the eastern parts of the country.

  • Number of drunk drivers caught in Czechia rising
    02/12/2023

    Despite a zero tolerance policy, the number of drunk drivers in Czechia is on the rise according to police statistics. Last year saw more than 7,000 cases of drunk driving in the country, an increase by 2,000 when compared to 2021. Around 20 percent of detected drivers had more than one per mile of alcohol in their blood, Czech Radio reported on Sunday.

    Under current legislation, being caught by the police while driving drunk with less than one per mile of alcohol in the blood is treated as an offense, with associated fines reaching up to CZK 20,000 and a year-long driving ban. The Ministry of Transport says it wants to toughen the relevant laws in the future.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Rise in food prices likely to continue in February, according to Trade and Tourism Association head
    02/12/2023

    Food prices in Czechia will most likely continue to rise in February, although at a slower pace than January’s 4 percent, the president of the country’s Association of Trade and Tourism told Czech Television on Sunday. He expects a more noticeable decline to come during the spring.

    Eurostat data for December indicated a 27.2 percent year-on-year rise in food prices in Czechia. The rise in costs is a consequence of inflation and the dominant position held by suppliers, Mr Prouza said. However, according to representatives of the Agrarian Chamber and of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is major retailers that are at fault.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Kasper Stadaas wins Jizerská padesátka ski race
    02/12/2023

    In a surprising result, Norwegian Kasper Stadaas won the 50 kilometers long cross-country Jizerská padesátka ski race on Sunday. 32-year-old Jan Šrail was the fastest Czech, finishing in 20th place.

    Stadaas’ fellow Norwegian Magni Smedas came in first in the female category. It was also the first time that she took part in the annual race held in the Jizera Mountains on the borderland between Czechia and Poland. Czech Sandra Schützová performed best among the home-grown female athletes, finishing in ninth place.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Firefighters and supplies arrive from Czechia to bolster Turkey earthquake rescue effort

    02/12/2023

    Two firefighters and extra supplies arrived in Turkey on Sunday to bolster the Czech rescue team that is helping recover victims and survivors of the earthquake that hit the country earlier this week. The 70 rescue workers are expected to return to Czechia on Thursday night next week. The plan is dependent on how the situation develops and whether they will still be required by the Turkish side, Czech Television reports.

    The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has so far claimed 28,000 lives.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Czech-US military co-operation treaty draft finished
    02/12/2023

    The head of the Strategy and Defence Planning Division at the Ministry of Defence, Jan Jireš, has told the Czech News Agency that Czech and American negotiators have finished working out a draft of the proposed treaty regarding defence cooperation between the two countries. The treaty, which should make it easier for US forces to be stationed in Czechia if needed, is now set to be translated into Czech and thereafter sent to the government and Parliament for approval after which it will be signed by the president.

    Mr Jireš said that the contract is supposed to set the conditions for co-operation between Czech and US armed forces. However, he added that it does not address the question of US military personell being based on Czech territory.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

  • Weather
    02/11/2023

    Temperatures are expected to range around 6 degrees Celsius in Czechia on Sunday, with overcast or semi-clear skies. No rainfall is expected.

  • Labour minister announces further increase to pensions
    02/11/2023

    Pensioners in Czechia will see a further rise in their pensions this summer, Labour Minister Marian Jurečka has told the Czech News Agency, adding that the extraordinary increase will most likely occur in June. Further details, including the exact sum, are expected to be released next week.

    Pensions normally rise once a year, in January. However, due to high inflation, the government approved three extraordinary valuations in 2022. Similar action is expected to be taken this year.
    Author: Thomas McEnchroe

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