Czech news in brief for April 1: Monday's top headlines

In Telč, today's Easter festivities were led by girls and women from the Podjavořičan folklore group, adhering to a leap year tradition. After an eight-year hiatus due to the pandemic in 2020, they took to the streets with wooden spoons and decorated accessories, while boys watched from the sidelines. The group, founded in 1989, preserves local folklore and customs engaging in various cultural events and showcasing hand-embroidered costumes.

Meteorologists have lifted the smog warning declared over half of Bohemia yesterday that resulted in a buildup of dust from the Sahara. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute announced cancellations in regions including Pilsen, South Bohemia, Hradec Králové, and Pardubice, with concentrations expected to diminish with the passage of a cold front. Despite ongoing smog in Moravia and Silesia, new alerts won't be issued. Concerns persist over dust particles exceeding 100 micrograms per cubic meter, urging caution for vulnerable populations.

The Czech national football team is gearing up up for their final preparatory match ahead of the European Championship, facing Malta on June 7 in Grödig, Austria. The team, which will be training at a camp in nearby Schladming, prioritized proximity to their camp for optimal preparation. Despite considering various opponents, they opted for Malta to align with their strategic preparation plan. The team's journey to the championship in Germany includes matches against North Macedonia, Portugal, Georgia, and Turkey.

The Czech Republic is set to experience cooler weather at the beginning of the week, with temperatures dropping to around 11 degrees Celsius, before gradually climbing back up to 25 degrees by the weekend, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Rain and scattered storms are expected for most of the week, with storms likely in the eastern regions of Bohemia and Moravia.

Former President Miloš Zeman has been instructed by the Czech Republic's Supreme Court to apologize to Zdenek Šarapatka for falsely claiming incompetence as the reason for his dismissal, reports SeznamZpravy.cz. Zeman's appeal was rejected, confirming an earlier verdict. The dispute arose when Zeman stated in 2017 that he fired Šarapatka for incompetence. Despite a previous apology from the Ministry of Finance, Zeman failed to comply within the allotted time frame.

In March, traffic accidents in the Czech Republic resulted in 25 fatalities, marking a 25% decrease compared to last year, as reported by preliminary data from the police. The number of severely injured individuals also decreased by a quarter. The most tragic day was March 31, Easter Sunday, which saw four fatalities. Last March, 34 deaths and 104 severe injuries were recorded. Motorcyclists constituted a notable portion of the victims, especially towards the end of the month.

The Czech Republic welcomes Easter Monday this morning, a public holiday marked by various folk traditions. Families traditionally engage in gently whipping females with willow twigs for health and fertility. Another custom involves boys dousing girls with water in return for painted eggs or treats. Amidst the colorful festivities welcoming the spring season, Czechs indulge in traditional dishes like mazanec and beránek.

Czech artists, actors, and musicians, including Tomáš Klus and Tamara Klusová, Emma Smetana, Jordan Haj, Bára Basiková, and Vojtech Dyk have joined the global plea for a Gaza-Israel ceasefire. In an open letter to the Czech government and President Petr Pavel, they urge for an immediate de-escalation, an end to bombings, and a permanent truce. The move comes amid rising casualties in the conflict, with concerns over a looming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Renowned Czech painter Věra Nováková has passed away at 96, her granddaughter has confirmed. Known for her vibrant works encompassing classical painting, sculpture, and book illustrations, Nováková's career spanned over seven decades. Despite facing obstacles such as expulsion from art school during political vetting, she continued to create, often collaborating with her husband Pavel Brázda. Nováková's dynamic and deeply spiritual art left a lasting impact, celebrated in numerous exhibitions and accolades throughout her lifetime.

Ukraine's SBU secret service aided Czech counterintelligence in exposing a pro-Russian influence network in Prague, targeting MEPs ahead of the European Parliament elections in June, reports Ukrinform. The network allegedly paid politicians to laud Russia and President Putin, while disseminating anti-Ukrainian and anti-European propaganda through platforms like Voice of Europe. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala included Russian entities, including Voice of Europe, on the national sanctions list, affirming efforts to curb foreign interference.

The Czech Republic leads Central and Eastern Europe in industrial and logistics areas per 1,000 inhabitants, with the lowest vacancy rate, reports Cushman & Wakefield. The country's 11.7 million square meters of space account for 19% of the region's total. While seen as an attractive investment hub, concerns arise over environmental impact and land use. Municipalities vary in their stance, some viewing construction positively for job creation, while others fear negative consequences.

Tomáš Kubík, deputy police president for the Criminal Police and Investigation Service, has revealed that the Czech Republic has been intensifying police collaboration within Europol, particularly in combating cybercrime. Czech officers are engaged in numerous teams annually, tackling organized drug, violent, and economic crimes. With Europol, addressing international terrorism and migration challenges is paramount.