Czech news in brief for February 28: Friday's top headlines

Representatives of victims of sexual abuse in the Czech Catholic Church submitted a petition to Apostolic Nuncio (a papal ambassador representing the Vatican diplomatically) Jude Thaddeus Okolo in Prague, demanding the resignation of bishops, particularly Archbishop Jan Graubner. Signed by 2,000 people, the appeal also calls for Church archive transparency. Victims say this marks their first official meeting with a high-ranking Church figure after failed attempts to meet Czech bishops.

A freight train derailed near the town of Hustopečí nad Bečvou in the Olomouc region igniting 15 of its 17 benzene-filled tankers, officials said Thursday. Each tanker carried about 60 tons of the flammable chemical. Firefighters are battling the blaze with aerial support. Authorities are assessing potential leaks and environmental risks. The cause of the derailment remains unclear as emergency crews continue containment efforts. Nobody is injured, officials say.

The six largest Czech banks saw a 22-percent rise in net profit in 2024, reaching CZK 86.1 billion, up from CZK 70.6 billion in 2023. Analysts attribute the growth to lower interest rates and increased lending activity. Fee increases also contributed. The banks will pay a windfall tax on these profits, with filings due this year under the government’s 60-percent surcharge on excess earnings. Last year, banks paid CZK 470 million in windfall tax advances, and this year the amount could be similar.

The Czech economy expanded by 1 percent last year, the Czech Statistical Office confirmed Friday. GDP rose 1.8 percent year-on-year in the final quarter, exceeding earlier estimates. Growth was driven by household and government spending, while weak investment and foreign demand weighed negatively. Trade and services boosted value added, but industry lagged. Employment grew 0.3 percent to 5.4 million, though total hours worked declined slightly from 2023.

The oncology center at Prague-Motol University Hospital will proceed as planned with EU funding, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek said Friday. No contract amendments with price increases were signed by previous management. Authorities intervened in an alleged fraud scheme involving former director Miloslav Ludvík, preventing financial harm. The criminal activity was likely halted before completion, ensuring the project's continuation under the National Recovery Plan.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a summit on Ukraine on Sunday, inviting over ten European leaders, including those from Czechia, Germany, France, and Italy. The meeting will focus on strengthening Ukraine’s position with continued military support and economic pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, European Commission chief von der Leyen, and NATO’s Mark Rutte will also attend, with discussions influenced by recent meetings with U.S. President Trump.

A flight from Prague to Malaga was delayed on Thursday after a vibrating device in a suitcase raised bomb fears at Prague Airport. Special forces and bomb disposal experts responded to the alert, only to find the device was a vibrator, which the owner admitted. The operation lasted about 30 minutes, with no threat to airport safety. The flight was delayed by 20 minutes, and the owner relocated the item to her hand luggage.

Prague Castle Administration announced that climbers are cleaning the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral for the first time in 40 years. To avoid costly scaffolding and closure, specialists on ropes are vacuuming and brushing away decades of dirt from stone walls and stained-glass windows. Visitors can already see a noticeable difference, as the cathedral's sandstone appears visibly lighter after cleaning.

The Czech Health Ministry has awarded a family three million crowns after their one-year-old child died following routine vaccinations, Seznam Zprávy reported. The death was linked to a rare reaction to the hexavalent or pneumococcal vaccine. This marks the first state compensation for vaccine-related harm. The law, in effect since 2020, has so far denied 145 COVID-19-related claims.

A man who attacked a police unit with a knife died after officers used a taser and firearm against him in Prague’s Nusle district, police said Thursday. The man had earlier threatened suicide and ignored negotiations. The General Inspectorate of Security Forces is investigating. Similar fatal police shootings occurred in Prague last year, including cases involving an axe-wielding attacker and a man assaulting two women.

David Pastrňák scored in his 16th straight game, tying the Czech NHL record set by Jaromír Jágr and Robert Lang, but the Boston Bruins fell 2-1 to the New York Islanders. Pastrňák, who now has 800 career points, scored in the 51st minute off a Pavel Zacha assist. Meanwhile, Tomáš Hertl contributed a goal and assist in Vegas' 7-5 win over Chicago.