Czech news in brief for December 2: Monday's top headlines

Vitamin E acetate in e-cigarettes damages the lungs' protective lipid layer, weakening it and increasing surface pressure, Czech scientists found. The Academy of Sciences and the University of Helsinki conducted the study, published in Scientific Reports. Despite being banned in e-cigarette refills since 2019, similar harmful additives remain. Using pig lung surfactant, researchers discovered vitamin E acetate disrupts breathing mechanics. This highlights the ongoing risks of e-cigarettes, which are often marketed as safer than traditional smoking, experts say.

Flu cases among preschoolers and seniors in the Czech Republic have slightly risen, but overall respiratory infections have dropped by 2.2 percent, to 1,456 per 100,000 people, according to the State Health Institute. The South Moravia region reports the highest sickness rates. Non-influenza viruses, including mycoplasmas, dominate, with fewer flu virus cases than the year-earlier period. According to data from the Ministry of Health, more than 292,000 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since the beginning of September this year.

The Czech Foreign Ministry announced that career diplomat Vítězslav Grepl will become the new ambassador to Iran, replacing Josef Rychtař. Grepl, with extensive experience in Asia, will assume the post in early 2024, having received Iran’s approval. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed confidence in Grepl's ability to navigate this challenging role. Relations with Iran remain strained, as the Czech Republic supports Israel, while Iran backs groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, prompting diplomatic tensions earlier this year.

The Czech Ministry of Finance reported a state budget deficit of CZK 259.2 billion at end-November, up from CZK 200.7 billion in October. Despite being the lowest November deficit since Covid-19, it ranks as the fifth-worst historically. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura attributed the rise to seasonal expenditures and flood recovery costs, increasing the annual target to CZK 282 billion. Revenues rose 1.1 percent year on year to CZK 1.7 trillion, while expenditures grew to CZK 2 trillion.

Czechia recorded the lowest unemployment rate in the EU at 2.6 percent in October, a 0.2-point drop from September, according to Eurostat. This positions Czechia well below the EU's overall unemployment rate of 5.9 percent. The eurozone rate held steady at 6.3 percent. Eurostat’s figures, based on International Labor Organization standards, highlight Czechia’s continued strong labor market performance compared to other EU member states.

The Czech Senate will vote next week on a pension reform raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 to secure future pension funding. Controversial changes include stricter limits on early retirement for high-risk workers, affecting just 12,000 of 120,000 eligible individuals. Despite opposition pushback, the coalition expects approval due to its Senate majority. If passed, the reform could take effect in early 2025, pending final adjustments.

The ski season began Friday in the Giant Mountains, with over 2,500 visitors heading to Černá hora near Janské Lázně for slopes featuring up to a meter of snow. Cross-country skiers enjoyed seven kilometers of groomed tracks. Nearby, Šerlišský Mlýn also welcomed skiers. Operators plan to open additional slopes in Pec pod Sněžkou and Špindlerův Mlýn next week, depending on the weather. Ski passes start at CZK 570 online.

Czech schools may soon require students to learn two foreign languages, with English starting in first grade, under a proposed education reform. The National Pedagogical Institute’s draft aims to modernize teaching and align with European standards. Critics warn of a shortage of qualified linguists, while supporters argue early exposure enhances fluency. The Ministry of Education will finalize the plan by year-end, with implementation set for September 2027.

Czech restaurants have experienced a 2 percent drop in guests and sales this year compared to 2023, with inflation amplifying the decline. According to data from Dotykačka, Czechia's largest cash register system, the Karlovy Vary Region saw the steepest drop at 7 percent, followed by Prague and South Moravia at 5 percent each. The trend reflects ongoing challenges in the hospitality sector amid rising costs and shifting consumer behavior.

A cold front will hit the Czech Republic this week, bringing icy conditions and snow to lower elevations by Friday. Meteorologists warn of freezing rain in western Bohemia and slippery roads nationwide. Temperatures will range from -4°C at night to 6°C during the day. Snowfall is expected above 500 meters, up to 15 cm in some areas. Drivers are urged to exercise caution on icy roads.