Czech news in brief for August 13: Tuesday's top headlines

According to German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, border checks on the Czechia-Germany border will continue as long as necessary, even after the current planned end-date of Dec.15. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann also believes that these checks are still necessary. Faeser stated that the controls have been successful in combating smuggling and illegal migration and may continue until the EU's new asylum system is implemented in 2026. The Czech Republic saw 52.4 percent drop in illegal migration in 2023.

According to a Czech cabinet resolution and a statement from the Czech Foreign Ministry, the Czech embassy in Kyiv could potentially be relocated to a new building in the city, with construction costing up to CZK 483 million. The current embassy building has been deemed inadequate in terms of capacity and technology, and a new building has been sought since 1993. The reconstruction of the new building is expected to be completed by autumn 2027.

Health and nutrition company Stada has presented a survey showing that 32 percent of Czechs are dissatisfied with their health system, which is a slight increase from two years ago and a significant increase from three years ago. The main issues cited are personal negative experiences and difficulty in accessing appointments with doctors. Czechs also have a higher distrust for politicians involved in health policies compared to other Europeans. However, 68 percent of Czechs still trust their healthcare system, which is similar to Germany. 

Czech Television reported that 4.7 million viewers watched this year’s Paris Olympics, a 350,000 increase from Tokyo 2021. Eurosport and Max held the main rights, with high viewership attributed to the European time zone. The Opening Ceremony drew over one million viewers, while athletics and the tennis mixed doubles final were particularly popular. The CT Sport website also surged, with nearly 900,000 unique users during the Games.

The Czech Republic is set to experience strong thunderstorms on Tuesday, particularly in the southwest and mountainous areas, with up to 40 mm of rain, possible hail, and wind gusts of 70 km/h. Temperatures will exceed 31°C in most regions and could reach over 34°C in southern Moravia. The heat warning remains in effect until further notice, with this week predicted to be the hottest of the summer.

The Máj department store in Prague will dismantle a multi-colored children’s playground from its roof, as it was installed without a permit. The terrace will be restored to its original plan for parking. The store, recently reopened after a two-year renovation, has faced criticism for its controversial design and outdoor sculptures. The playground’s removal began in June and is set to finish by the end of September.

Olympic medallists Martin Fuksa, Josef Dostal, and Nikola Ogrodnikova received a warm welcome at Václav Havel Airport today, with fans applauding their arrival. The athletes, who brought home three medals from the Paris Games, were eager for a brief respite and family time but are already looking forward to upcoming competitions. Fuksa and Ogrodnikova served as Czech flag bearers at the closing ceremony.

CZC.cz, a leading Czech electronics store, will shift to the online marketplace of its parent company, Polish Allegro, by the end of September. The CZC.cz domain will remain active for customer service and warranty issues. Allegro, which acquired CZC.cz and Mall.cz in late 2021, aims to streamline operations while maintaining the CZC brand. Allegro is also rebranding its courier service, WeDo, to One by Allegro.