Czech news in brief for May 13: Monday's top headlines

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning about an increased risk of fires starting and spreading in most of Bohemia and the western part of Moravia from Tuesday night until Thursday night, due to dry and windy weather. All regions of the Czech Republic, except for some southwestern areas, are at risk. The FireRisk website also predicts a high risk of fire spreading until Friday, attributed to strong winds and low humidity in forests.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, consumer prices in the Czech Republic rose by 2.9 percent year on year in April, higher than the expected moderate growth. This was mainly driven by more expensive food, alcoholic beverages, and fuel. Housing prices also contributed to the increase, with rent, water and sewage, and electricity costs rising significantly. However, the price of natural gas decreased. Prices for spirits, wine, beer, and fuels, and oils also saw notable increases compared to last year.

This afternoon, the Prague City Council has approved adding an explanatory plate to a communist-era bronze sculpture at the Anděl metro station. The plate will clarify that Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Soviet Union at the time, and the claimed friendship between the two countries was propaganda. The city will also hold an art competition for the plaque. The station, originally named Moskevska, was designed by Soviet engineers. A 16-year-old started this year a petition to remove the sculpture.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan announced that the German state of Saxony has requested increased cooperation from the Czech Republic on the Czech-German border. This is not only to control migration, but also to address security concerns, including potential Russian aggression. They also discussed disaster-response cooperation and noted a significant decrease in migrant detentions this year. Rakušan stated that controls have been lifted at the Slovak-Czech border due to a decline in movement on the Western Balkan route, but they are prepared for potential increases during the summer.

Czechia spent 1.37 percent of GDP on defense in 2023, totaling about CZK 101 billion crowns, less than expected, said Defense Minister Jana Cernochova in an interview with Czech Television on Sunday. NATO anticipated a 1.5 percent GDP allocation for defense. This year, the country aims for 2 percent. Last year’s unspent funds were moved to strategic projects. The government now includes additional sectors in defense spending. NATO’s 2024 target of 2 percent GDP expenditure remains a focal point.

Rammstein kicked off their European tour at Letňany airport with a fiery concert Saturday, captivating 60,000 fans. The industrial metal performance featured pyrotechnics and elaborate visuals, and bizarre costumes. Hits like Du riechst so gut and Deutschland thrilled the audience, alongside tracks from their latest album Zeit. Tight security measures were in place, with restricted entry for minors. The event marked one of Letňany’s largest gatherings since Ed Sheeran’s 2019 concerts, with a second concert on Sunday

Prague councilors will once again discuss the future of a sculpture bearing a Moscow-Prague inscription, located in the vestibule of the B Anděl metro station at the Na Knížecí exit. A decision was postponed last week. City officials will also discuss a tender to complete the reconstruction of the Šlechtova restaurant in Stromovka Park, the purchase of an apartment building in Korunovační Street, and the planned reconstruction of the city's water supply network.

CERMAT Director Miroslav Krejčí said that over 90 percent of children got into secondary school in the first admissions round. The results will be available on Wednesday between midnight and 4 a.m. Tests for secondary school applications were corrected and made available on Sunday, with detailed results accessible electronically. Krejčí reassured parents that most students will secure placements despite potential regional disparities.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts clear to semi-clear skies with temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius for the Czech Republic in the first half of the week. Winds will intensify from Wednesday, reaching 50-60 km/h, followed by cloudy conditions with gusts up to 70 km/h on Thursday. Rain and thunderstorms are expected on Friday and through the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 21 degrees Celsius.