• 08/12/2024

    Czech artists and well-known personalities from other spheres have published an open letter calling for solidarity with their colleagues in Slovakia who are losing their jobs due to a purge implemented by Slovak Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. The proclamation titled “It's time to lend a hand!” was endorsed by theatre director Jiří Suchý, actor and screenwriter Zdeněk Svěrák and former constitutional judge Eliška Wagnerová, among others. In recent days, Šimkovičová has dismissed the heads of a number of respected cultural institutions, among them the head of the Slovak National Gallery and the director of the Slovak National Theatre.

    The dismissed head of the Slovak National Theatre, Matej Drlička, has described the sackings as “a concerted crackdown on freedom of artistic expression and a systematic assault on state institutions on the part of the Fico government.” The opposition is planning protest actions.

  • 08/12/2024

    Czechia is set to experience its hottest week of the year, with daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C on most days and hitting 35°C in southern Moravia on Wednesday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute predicts localized thunderstorms, which may bring heavy rainfall and hailstones in places. The heatwave will be particularly intense midweek, with high humidity making conditions especially uncomfortable. While a slight cooldown is expected over the weekend, significant and lasting relief from the heat is unlikely.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/12/2024

    The Perseid meteor shower will peak on Monday night into Tuesday, with conditions for observation expected to be nearly ideal, according to experts. The meteors have been visible since July 17th, and their frequency has gradually been increasing. Between midnight and 4 a.m., it will be possible to observe up to 80 meteors per hour in areas away from cities with a moonless sky. Experts recommend traveling far from urban areas to places with minimal light pollution for the best viewing experience.

  • 08/12/2024

    President Petr Pavel congratulated Czech athletes on their performance at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris and thanked them for their exemplary representation of the country. The president wrote on the X network that sport is not just about victories and medals, but it is also about enormous willpower, determination, hard work, pain, time and money, not only on the part of the athletes, but on the part of the entire team and their families. He also praised the organizers of the Olympic Festival in Most for a job well done.

    The Czech Republic won three gold and two bronze medals. The gold medals were won by tennis players Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč in mixed doubles, and canoeists Martin Fuksa and Josef Dostál. The épée fencing team and javelin thrower Nikola Ogrodníková secured bronze.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    The number of children with eating disorders in Czechia has significantly increased, particularly among girls, with a 200% rise since 2010, now affecting around 3,500 children. This surge, highlighted by data from the Institute of Health Information and analyzed by iROZHLAS, saw a notable spike following the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychologist Tereza Maková advises parents to be vigilant for changes in eating habits, excessive focus on food, overeating, or reluctance to discuss food.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    Czechia recorded its lowest-ever medal count at the Paris Olympics, securing only three gold and two bronze medals. These results fall short of the country's previous lowest tally at the 2008 Beijing Games. Despite the disappointing overall result, Czech Olympic Committee President Jiří Kejval and mission head Martin Doktor remained positive, emphasizing the significance of the three gold medals won by Czech athletes. Notable victories included Martin Fuksa and Josef Dostál in canoe and kayak events, and a surprise bronze in javelin by Nikola Ogrodníková. Despite the challenges, the leaders highlighted the strong participation and the vibrant atmosphere in Paris.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš from the Pirate Party announced that the digitalized construction permit system in Czechia will become fully operational in August. Despite criticisms of the system's initial rollout in July, Bartoš assured that key updates are planned for this month and that most issues are being addressed. Around 64% of the 6,000 applications submitted so far are in progress, with approximately 500 decisions made, mainly occupancy permits. The seemingly mundane administrative issue has become a highly politicized problem for Bartoš with opposition calling for his resignation over the system's challenges.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    Electric vehicle sales in Czechia grew by 44% in the first seven months of 2024, reaching nearly 5,000 units. Hybrid car sales also saw a 36% increase, with over 30,000 vehicles sold. According to the Czech Car Importers Association, electric vehicles now account for 3.65% of all registered passenger cars, while hybrids make up 22.1%. Tesla led electric car sales with 2,000 units, followed by Škoda and Volvo. In the hybrid market, Toyota topped the list, followed by Škoda and Volvo. Overall, new car sales in Czechia rose by nearkly 4 percent during the same period.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    Year-on-year inflation in July is expected to have remained at 2%, the same as in June, according to analysts surveyed by the Czech Press Agency. Consumer prices increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month, driven by higher fuel and food prices, as well as increases in housing, dining, and recreational services. The Czech National Bank also forecasted 2% inflation for July. The Czech Statistical Office will release the official data on Monday. Inflation is expected to fluctuate slightly in the coming months, with projections of 1.8% in August and 2.3% in September.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/11/2024

    Since its launch, 36% of Czechs have tried ChatGPT, and nearly two-thirds are familiar with it. The AI tool is particularly popular among younger users, with over half of those under 26 using it actively, often as a work aid. A survey by Enehano software company shows that over a quarter of young users engage with ChatGPT weekly, and some use it daily. However, the systematic integration of AI in businesses is still lagging. Around 7% of people see the potential for ChatGPT in their work but choose not to use it, while 2% express concerns about the technology.

    Author: Vít Pohanka

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