Czech news in brief for April 29: Monday's top headlines

Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný has announced that the Czech Republic will seek from the EU special financial assistance for fruit growers due to spring frosts. Výborný stated this before a meeting of the Union Ministers of Agriculture in Luxembourg. He also mentioned discussing the matter with European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski. The frosts have devastated this year's fruit harvest in Bohemia, causing damages of CZK 1 billion for Czech fruit growers and CZK 2 billion for winemakers nationwide.

New analysis from cybersecurity firm ComSource points towards a consecutive rise in DDoS attacks (a type of cyberattack) on Czech targets in the past few weeks, with most originating from Russia. These attacks aim to disrupt online services by inundating them with false requests. Michal Štusák, cybersecurity expert and co-owner of ComSource, also notes a surge in malicious traffic, particularly from the U.S. Recently, hackers also broke into the Czech News Agency website, posting a false article.

The State Health Institute has reported 1,604 new cases of whooping cough in Czechia in the last seven days – the most since the beginning of this year. The highest incidence is among young people aged 15 to 19 and children under one year old. Re-vaccination is recommended for children aged five or six and then again for those aged 10 to 11 and adults. However, health insurance does not cover adult vaccines. About 230 people have been hospitalized with whooping cough this year; 2.1 percent of all those infected.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that the investigation into the 2014 Vrbětice ammunition warehouse explosions confirms the country's foreign policy of defending its citizens' interests against Russia's hybrid war. Other government officials also supported the police identifying the Russian military intelligence agency GRU as the culprit. However, due to Russia's lack of cooperation, prosecution cannot be pursued. President Petr Pavel also condemned Russia for attacking Czechia's sovereignty in the most severe way since the 1968 invasion. Czechia confirms it will continue to seek compensation via diplomatic channels.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarks on a two-day visit to the Czech Republic today, meeting President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle. Discussions are expected to focus on energy and the situation in Ukraine. The president is also expected to pay tribute to Charles University shooting victims.

The deadline for submitting binding bids for their construction on new nuclear units in Czechia expires on Tuesday. The state awaits bids from French company EDF and Korean entity KHNP for the reactors, with a decision expected in June. The project, potentially the country's largest investment, could see two units at Dukovany and Temelín. The government extended the bid deadline until the end of April. The move follows Westinghouse's withdrawal from the tender. Initial offers hinted at lower costs for multiple reactors, aiming for completion by 2036.

President Petr Pavel expressed disappointment over ANO's decision to withdraw from talks on strategic economic and social issues with the government. The ANO party cited frustration with the government's alleged unilateral actions regarding pension reform. The rift deepened after conflicting reports emerged from a previous meeting at Prague Castle, with a second meeting due to take place on Monday. Pavel remains open to constructive dialogue if backed by clear proposals and data.

Apartment prices are rebounding, with Karlovy Vary and Ostrava seeing over nine percent increases year-on-year in Q1. While Prague remains stable, cities like Brno and Pardubice have recorded rises. Yet, prices still lag behind mid-2022 peaks. A new Valuo.cz analysis notes Prague's stability due to high demand, while other cities show more fluctuation, presenting opportunities for investors. Data may be delayed, impacting real estate cadastre accuracy, Valuo noted.

Toyen's surrealist masterpiece Le secret des lieux (The Mystery of Places) fetched a record-breaking CZK 49.6 million at the European Art Gallery in Prague Sunday marking a new high for her post-war work. The dark, enigmatic piece sparked a bidding war, surpassing its CZK 33 million starting price. The auction's total sales exceeded CZK 100 million. Toyen (1902-1980), born Marie Čermínová, was one of the most remarkable figures of the Czech and European art scene of the 20th century.