Czechia

BREAKING: Czech Senate Approved New Rules for Same-Sex Couples

The Czech Senate took a significant step towards marriage equality on Wednesday morning. Bypassing a potential debate on the issue, lawmakers voted to remove an amendment to the Civil Code from the agenda. This amendment, proposed by the ODS and TOP 09 parties, will grant similar rights as marriage to same-sex partners, effective next year. Despite opposition from the KDU-ČSL party, the Senate approved the move in a 47-to-unknown vote. The motivation behind this action was to avoid lengthy discussions on the rights of same-sex couples. The amendment is expected to be signed by President Petr Pavel within the next month and take effect in 2025. This legislation also eliminates registered partnerships, a legal status currently available to same-sex couples. Registered partnerships offer fewer legal protections compared to marriage, such as limitations on shared property and eligibility for survivor’s pensions. The new law allows adoption for same-sex couples, but with a caveat. Only a biological parent within the couple can adopt a child. Adoption of a child already adopted by one partner would require a separate court decision. This move by the Senate represents a major step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the Czech Republic, granting same-sex couples the legal and...

 by Prague Morning Apr 17, 2024

Czech Whooping Cough Spread Accelerates, Three Dead

The Czech Republic has been hit by a soaring number of whooping cases and the fast growing outbreak has killed three people, health authorities said on Monday. The country has registered 7,888 cases of the respiratory illness this year, said the State Institute of Public Health. Last week, health authorities registered 1,494 new cases, the fastest weekly growth this year. Some 183 are in hospital. The spread is the worst since 1959 when vaccinations started, official health records have shown. Vaccination is mandatory in the Czech Republic, but it is not for life and some people refuse. Teenagers are the worst-hit age group as parents often ignore the recommended revaccination at the age of 10-11 years, chief public health officer Pavla Svrcinova said. “Of the total number, 5,808 people were vaccinated,” the state institute said on its website. Three people with the disease have died this year: a 62-year-old man, an 84-year-old woman and a newborn. All had other health issues too. The spread goes against the previous expectations of health authorities, who last month had believed the number of cases was peaking. The disease has been on the rise in other European countries as well as in China with...

 by Shadia Oseni Apr 16, 2024

Czechia Braces for Chilly Temperatures and Possible Low-Level Snow

After enjoying a taste of spring with unseasonably warm temperatures in early April, the Czech Republic is in for a rude awakening. A significant cool-down is expected across the country, bringing rain, showers, and even the possibility of snow, not just in the mountains but potentially at lower elevations as well. Monday to Wednesday: Cloudy with Rain and Potential Snow Monday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms and showers in some areas. While daytime temperatures will remain relatively mild, ranging from 13 to 17 degrees Celsius, snow is expected at higher altitudes. Tuesday will see cloudy skies persist, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 4 degrees Celsius and daytime highs reaching only 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. Showers, including some snow showers in the mountains, are again forecast. Meteorologists warn that snow may even appear at lower or even exceptionally low elevations later in the week. Wednesday offers a glimmer of hope with skies potentially clearing towards the evening. Overnight temperatures could dip to freezing (0 degrees Celsius), while daytime highs will range from 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, with occasional peaks of 12 degrees Celsius. A moderate north-westerly to northerly wind is also expected. Thursday and Beyond:...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2024

Two-Thirds of Economically Active Ukrainian Refugees Have Jobs in Czechia

This is evidenced by the results of a study conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM has determined that 77% of Ukrainian refugees are economically active, that is, they have a job or are actively looking for one. Most Ukrainian refugees are women. They often have a high level of education, but in the Czech Republic, they have managed to find jobs only below their qualification level. According to the data obtained, knowledge of the Czech language is of great importance for employment. Thus, more than four-fifths of migrants who speak Czech are employed. The highest level of employment is among those who previously worked in Ukraine as mechanics, mechanics, drivers, craftsmen or skilled agricultural workers. According to the study, almost a third of Ukrainian refugees face financial difficulties because they cannot cover their daily expenses. pensioners or those on maternity leave face problems as well. At the same time, 56% of refugees from Ukraine rent housing, while the rest live in dormitories, hotels, and boarding schools. According to the IOM, 69% of the refugees surveyed want to return to Ukraine and only 12% do not plan to return. IOM conducted a survey of refugees over the past...

 by Cara Stevenson Apr 10, 2024

Prague Airbnb Prices Soar, New Regulations Planned

Prague is seeing a surge in Airbnb prices, prompting the government to plan new regulations. This year, tourists are expected to return to the Czech Republic in droves, with many using short-term rental platforms for their accommodation. This is confirmed by data from Seven Keys, a company managing 85 apartments in central Prague for Airbnb rentals. “Thanks to the high seasonal demand, we were able to raise prices by about 25%. We also had to increase cleaning fees due to rising costs,” says Zuzana Benešová, founder of Seven Keys. Despite the price hikes, tourists remain undeterred. “Over the past two years, we’ve reached 80% occupancy in April and May, which is 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels,” Benešová says. “Bookings for spring and summer are already strong, suggesting this will be our peak season since the pandemic.” Market Analysis Shows Price Rise Published statistics by AirDNA, a market research firm, confirm the rising cost of vacation rentals on short-term accommodation platforms. According to their data, the average daily rate in Prague alone has increased by about a third over the past two years. In April 2022, the average daily price for accommodation in Prague was CZK 2,500. This April, the average...

 by Prague Morning Apr 10, 2024

Czech Government Invests Six Billion Euros in New Nuclear Reactors

The Czech government is investing in nuclear energy as a means to decarbonization. The Czech government wants the new units to gradually go into service between 2029 and 2040, and fully phase out from Coal and Lignite by 2033. The goal is for oil and gas to be phased out by 2050, according to the ambitious National Energy and Climate Plan. The Czech Republic is traditionally a carbon energy exporter, yet its government is seemingly ready to cut ties. In a speech made in March at a nuclear energy summit in Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said, “From the Czech perspective, nuclear is a cost-effective way to decarbonization. It brings grid stability and security of supply. It is the only way to reach our energy independence.” According to an exclusive IPSOS and Euronews poll, the Czech people are the least concerned EU electors, after the Poles, by climate change. 34% agree that climate is a priority, whilst 21% do not. Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela said an assessment of the bids should be completed by the end of May. The Czech Republic already relies on six nuclear reactors to generate more than a third of its electricity. Besides...

 by Prague Morning Apr 09, 2024

The Czech Republic Records Earliest Tropical Day in History

The Czech Republic has just marked a historic meteorological milestone with its earliest recorded tropical day. Across the nation, weather stations are buzzing with reports of unprecedented heat, breaking longstanding temperature records. This groundbreaking event has been confirmed by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). “More than half of our monitoring stations are reporting summer-like conditions, with maximum temperatures soaring to 25°C or higher. Yet, in many towns, the mercury has already climbed higher, surpassing 30.6°C, officially marking a tropical day (30°C or above). These unseasonably high temperatures for early April are quite exceptional,” remarked meteorologists. The highest recorded temperature was in České Budějovice at a sweltering 30.9 degrees Celsius, knocking off the original record of 30.6 degrees, recorded earlier the same day in Prague. This warmth has shattered temperature records at numerous weather stations across the country with more than three decades of data, according to meteorological records. Previously, the earliest tropical day on record was April 17, 1934, when Vlašim recorded a sizzling 30 degrees Celsius. However, this longstanding record has now been surpassed, establishing April 7, 2024, as the earliest tropical day in Czech history. Weather forecasts indicate that the warmth will persist into Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as...

 by Prague Morning Apr 07, 2024

“Russia is Trying to Sabotage European Railways”, Says Czech Transport Minister

Russia has made “thousands” of attempts to interfere with European rail networks in a campaign to destabilize the EU and sabotage critical infrastructure, the Czech Republic’s transport minister has said. Martin Kupka told the Financial Times that Moscow was suspected of having made “thousands of attempts to weaken our systems” since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The hacking campaign included attacks on signalling systems and on the networks of the Czech national railway operator České dráhy, Kupka said. Past attacks have put ticketing systems out of service and raised concerns about successful interference with signals causing serious accidents. “It’s definitely a difficult point . . .[but] I’m really very satisfied because we are able to defend all systems [from] a successful attack,” Kupka said. Russian attempts to destabilise European energy infrastructure have been well documented but interference in transport networks has been less discussed. The EU Agency for Cybersecurity published its first report on threats to transport in March last year. It said there had been “attacks against railway companies with an increasing rate, primarily due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”. It noted major cyber attacks by “pro-Russia hacker groups” on railway companies in Latvia,...

 by Prague Morning Apr 05, 2024

Czechia Braces for Summer-Like Heat this Weekend

The Czech Republic faces an unanticipated heat wave this coming weekend, with temperatures expected to fluctuate between 21°C and 25°C throughout the afternoon on Saturday, and up to 27°C on Sunday. This weather pattern is expected to endure early into next week. However, temperatures today are not expected to surpass 20°C, with a high probability of a cloudy overcast across the country as well as the capital being likely. This stems from the weekly forecast of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). Today, light rain and passing showers are expected in the southwestern region of Jihočeský kraj, with any precipitation dissipating into the late morning and early afternoon. Meteorologists anticipate the daily highest temperatures to fluctuate between 17°C and 21°C, mostly in the Středočeský kraj region and Prague. Predominantly cloudy skies and occasional light precipitation will be ever-present throughout the whole day across the country. Temperatures at night will show a slight decrease compared to the daytime, with lows expected to be between 9°C and 5 °C in certain northern regions of the country. On Saturday, a maximum temperature of 25°C is expected, while on Sunday, this number rises to 27°C, a steep figure that is considered highly above average for...

 by Daniel Broz Apr 05, 2024

Former Czech President Milos Zeman Released From Hospital

Former Czech President Milos Zeman was released from a hospital Wednesday following surgery for a blood clot in his leg. Miloslav Ludvik, director of Motol University Hospital in Prague, said Zeman will now recuperate at home. Doctors at the clinic discovered during a medical check on March 14 that Zeman had an insufficient blood supply in one of his legs because of the blood clot and immediately operated on him. The supply of blood was restored during the operation but Zeman, 79, remained in serious but stable condition for days. Zeman used to be a heavy smoker and drinker and suffers from diabetes and neuropathy. He has been hospitalized several times. He has trouble walking and has been using a wheelchair. Zeman´s second and final term in the largely ceremonial post of president ended in March last year. In office, he sought closer ties with China and was a leading pro-Russian voice in EU politics. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Zeman condemned the “unprovoked act of aggression.” He opposed initial EU sanctions against Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning Apr 04, 2024

Czech Republic Still Ranks Among Europe’s Safest Countries

The Czech Republic continues to be a beacon of safety in Europe, according to a recent crime and safety ranking. While it dropped a few spots compared to last year, the country remains significantly safer than its neighbors. A new index by Numbeo surveyed 43 European nations, placing the Czech Republic at 12th for safety. This is a slight decrease from its 10th-place ranking in 2023. The Crime and Safety Index relies on public surveys, gauging people’s feelings of security during the day and night, as well as their fear of specific crimes like mugging or harassment. Numbeo assigns crime rates a score from zero to one hundred. Very low crime falls between 20 and 40, while medium crime ranges from 40 to 60. High crime scores land between 60 and 80, with very high crime exceeding 80. France, deemed the least safe country in Europe, received a score of 55.3. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, enjoyed a much lower rating of 26.8. This trend continues with the safety index, where the Czech Republic scored a reassuring 73.7. Interestingly, all of the Czech Republic’s neighbors fared worse in the rankings. Austria came in 13th, Poland 14th, Slovakia 15th,...

 by Jody Druce Apr 04, 2024

Record-breaking March in Czechia: Warmest Since 1961

This year’s March was the warmest in Czechia since 1961, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute revealed on social media site X on Tuesday. The average temperature soared to 7°C, a remarkable 3.8°C higher than the typical range observed between 1991 and 2020. This is the second month in a row to break a temperature record; February was also unusually warm with an average temperature of 5.7 degrees Celsius. Throughout the month, several intervals brought significantly warm weather, with average daily temperatures exceeding the usual range by more than 4°C. While many Czech stations witnessed temperature records tumble in the final days of March, the summer threshold of 25°C remained unbroken. However, April 1st marked the year’s first day exceeding this mark, with Karviná recording a high of 26°C. February also witnessed remarkably high temperatures, averaging 5.7°C – a significant 6.1°C above the 1991-2020 norm. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning Apr 02, 2024

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