• 09/13/2024

    Due to heavy rainfall and the threat of floods, three games in the Czech first hockey league scheduled for Saturday have been postponed. These include matches between Vsetín and Frýdek-Místek, Zlín and Slavia Prague, and Přerov and Jihlava. Clubs agreed on the postponement to free up emergency services, such as police and firefighters, who are critical during such extreme weather. Vsetín club official Petr Neumann emphasized the need for these services to focus on potential flood emergencies. Other scheduled matches will proceed as planned depending on local conditions.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    Cities across Czechia are preparing for evacuations due to extreme rainfall and expected flooding. Thousands of households have already lost power, primarily due to fallen trees and branches caused by heavy rain and wind. As of Friday evening, warnings of extreme flood risks have been issued for large parts of Moravia, Silesia, and other regions. Authorities are constructing flood barriers in vulnerable areas, including Brno, where the risk of fifty-year or even century-high waters looms. Emergency services are on high alert as the situation is expected to worsen over the weekend.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    Bird flu has been confirmed in a poultry farm in Martinice u Březnice, central Bohemia. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný stated that 700 geese and 300 hens will need to be culled due to the outbreak. The Veterinary Administration will establish a three-kilometer protection zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone around the farm. This development means that the Czech Republic will lose its bird flu-free status, which may affect trade with non-EU countries. Bird flu outbreaks have been recorded previously, with the most significant occurring in late 2022.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    On Friday, the Czech crown weakened against the euro, losing five halers to close at 25.15 CZK/EUR. However, it strengthened by six halers against the U.S. dollar, trading at 22.68 CZK/USD by 5:00 PM. The crown's drop against the euro follows losses after the European Central Bank's recent interest rate cut. Additionally, a report from the Czech Statistics Office revealed a 13.4 billion CZK deficit in the July 2024 current account, contributing to its weakening. Analysts suggest a further strengthening of the crown against the euro is unlikely in the near term due to weak industrial performance.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    In the Brno region, firefighters safely evacuated 125 people, including 120 students, from a flooded bridge. The evacuation was completed without any injuries, with the group being guided using a safety rope. They were transferred to a safe area for further transport. The flooding was confined to the bridge, but there were concerns that people might be stranded.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    On Friday, persistent heavy rains are expected to continue across most of Czechia, with warnings of extreme flooding. The situation will worsen with strong winds reaching up to 100 km/h. Water management authorities have been releasing water from reservoirs, and sandbags are being prepared across affected areas. The flood warning now covers nearly the entire country, except for western Bohemia. In Brno, comprehensive flood protection is still under development, leaving much of the city's infrastructure vulnerable. Evacuations have already begun, with 125 people evacuated from Biskoupky in South Moravia. With more rain expected through the weekend, there are official warnings that flooding could reach levels similar to those in 1997 or 2002. Most Czech political parties, both from the ruling coalition and the opposition, are suspending or limiting their election campaigns due to the looming flood threat. Events and meetings with citizens have been canceled, including a planned trip by opposition leader Andrej Babiš and his ANO Party . Most political leaders say that they aim to focus on managing the crisis rather than campaigning.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    Cloudy with rain, locally heavy, with temperatures between 10 and 15°C. Strong winds up to 90 km/h, easing in the afternoon in some areas.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    Due to rising flood risks, Prague closes the embankments in districts along the Vltava river and erect flood barriers in the city center, Zbraslav, and Libeň as a precaution. The closures take effect Friday evening, with boat traffic on the Vltava expected to stop on Saturday. Following a flood commission meeting, a city spokesperson confirmed these measures. The city also closed safety gates at Čertovka canal in the city center and plans to build around 200 meters of barriers. A flood alert was declared starting at 3pm Friday, the second level of a three-tier warning system.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    The Czech Parliament is expected to approve the creation of a children’s ombudsman, who will operate within the Office of the Public Defender of Rights starting by July 2025. This new role is designed to improve child rights protection and fulfill UN requirements, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The children’s ombudsman will oversee child rights, promote education on these rights, and act in legal cases involving minors. The ombudsman will work independently alongside the current public defender. Budget implications remain unclear, with estimates ranging from millions to tens of millions of crowns.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/13/2024

    In the first eight months of 2024, 9,496 new companies were established in Czechia, marking an increase of 854 compared to the same period in 2023. According to data from CRIF - Czech Credit Bureau, August alone saw 2,478 new firms, while 1,449 companies ceased operations. The fastest growth was observed in the energy sector, driven by interest in renewable energy. In contrast, the retail sector saw more company closures than new firms. The largest concentration of new companies was in Prague, followed by the Jihomoravský and Moravskoslezský regions.

    Author: Vít Pohanka

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