Czech news in brief for March 24: Monday's top headlines

The Czech Trade Inspection Authority (CTIA) seized nearly 60 percent more counterfeit goods in 2024 compared to 2023, with 29,991 items valued at approximately CZK 97.5 million. Despite fewer inspections, totaling 714 last year, the CTIA found violations in 477 cases, issuing fines of CZK 6.9 million. Most counterfeited items were clothing, followed by toys. Popular brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Pokémon were commonly targeted. The CTIA continues its efforts to combat intellectual property violations.

President Petr Pavel will attend a session of the Czech Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday to discuss the country's army concept through 2035. Pavel, cutting short a regional visit, will join lawmakers from the opposition ANO movement, who seek to address military recruitment and modernization to strengthen national security. ANO's chairwoman, Alena Schillerová, emphasized the need for a professional, public debate on the Czech Republic’s defense capabilities.

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda has dismissed municipal director Martin Kubelka, citing concerns over his management of parking permits and high bonuses. Kubelka's failure to attend a scheduled meeting with the mayor on Monday was also criticized. The dismissal follows a legal requirement for Interior Minister Vít Rakušan’s approval. Kubelka's controversial tenure had been under scrutiny since last year, with reports alleging misuse of city resources, including awarding bonuses to his former assistant and granting parking privileges to his wife.

A series of small earthquakes are continuing in West Bohemia, with the strongest tremor recorded Monday morning at a Richter Scale magnitude of 2.74, the Geophysical Institute reported. The swarm, centered near the towns of Luby and Nový Kostel (Karlovy Vary region), began Saturday night. While most tremors go unnoticed, some residents reported hearing sounds. The region is prone to such swarms, which are monitored by a seismic network established in 1985 to track activity in the area.

The Czech Republic's foreign debt reached CZK 5.271 trillion at the end of 2024, up CZK 460.4 billion year-over-year, the Czech National Bank reported Monday. Higher domestic interest rates drove companies and banks to borrow abroad, said economist Petr Dufek. The debt remains safe, backed by foreign exchange reserves. Private sector liabilities made up 77.2 percent of total debt, while government debt fell by CZK 38.1 billion in the last quarter.

The Czech Republic may halt Russian oil imports earlier than mid-year, as originally planned, Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček said. Poland’s Orlen, which owns Czech refineries, has already begun sourcing oil from the North Sea and other locations. The shift follows U.S. sanctions blocking payments for Russian oil. More crude will now flow through the European TAL pipeline to maintain fuel production.

Hundreds demonstrated in central Prague on Sunday against the rise of the far right and increasing xenophobia. Organized by Together Against Racism and Fascism, the protest began at Jan Palach Square and ended at Jungmann Square. Participants carried Palestinian and Turkish flags and criticized Czech and European leaders. Police supervised the peaceful march, which briefly disrupted traffic.

Heavy rain triggered local flooding in the southern Svitavy region on March 23, affecting Banín, Rudná, and Svojanov. Firefighters cleared mud, cleaned culverts, and removed debris from flooded homes, garages, and basements. Meteorologists reported the year's first thunderstorms, mainly in Moravia, with possible weaker supercells later. No injuries were reported.

The Czech Republic’s first high-speed railway could be operational by 2035, with speeds up to 320 km/h, Transport Minister Martin Kupka said. The Environment Ministry will issue an EIA opinion by March’s end for initial sections in the Přerov region. The full network, spanning 800 km by 2050, faces challenges, including high costs, land acquisition, and energy supply concerns.

Czechs wagered a record CZK 983 billion last year, losing 66 billion, according to the Institute for Gambling Regulation. Experts warn gambling addiction can be as destructive as drug abuse. Sports betting surged due to major events like the European Championship. Gambling tax revenue exceeded CZK 21 billion. Addiction specialists urge at-risk individuals to seek help, as gambling-related psychiatric issues and suicides rise.