Czech news in brief for May 6: Monday's top headlines

Over 30 Czech towns and cities participated in a public reading of the names of Holocaust victims as part of Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day, organized by the Terezin Initiative Institute (ITI) in Czechia. The event aims to honor the victims and bring their individual stories to life, rather than just focusing on statistics, ITI says. The organization’s director Tomáš Kraus explained the importance of this form of commemoration. Around 155,000 Czech Jews were sent to the Terezín ghetto, with most being transported to extermination camps and only about 2,700 surviving.

A moose has been spotted in the Czech side of the Krkonoše Mountains for the first time in decades, according to Krkonoše National Park spokesman Radek Drahný. The animal was previously seen in the border area of Poland and is believed to be migrating. The park's emergency line received reports of sightings near Žacléř, and drivers are advised to be cautious as collisions with moose can be dangerous. Park director Robin Bohniš stated that this sighting is a positive sign for the state of nature in the area.

Prague teacher Martina Bednářová will not face punishment for her alleged denial of Russian war crimes in Ukraine, as the appeals court upheld her acquittal today. The prosecutor's office had appealed for an eight-month suspended sentence and a five-year teaching ban, but the court found that Bednářová's actions did not warrant criminal punishment. The court said it could conclude whether the teacher denied any specific war crimes or crimes against peace.

The Czech Liberal Institute and the Anglo-American University in Prague announced today that Argentine President Javier Milei will visit the Czech Republic in mid-June to receive their annual award and deliver a lecture in Prague on June 18. It remains undisclosed whether Milei will engage with senior Czech politicians during his trip. According to Reuters, his initial actions have bolstered the public sector and foreign trade balance but have yet to curtail escalating inflation and poverty rates in Argentina. 

The Czech Republic will not send a diplomatic representative to Vladimir Putin's upcoming inauguration on May 7. Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the recall of Czech Ambassador to Russia Vítězslav Pivoňka, citing strained Czech-Russian relations. Currently, the Czech Republic does not have a resident ambassador in Moscow, with Jan Ondřejka serving as the interim charge d'affairs. The move aligns with the European Parliament's resolution questioning the legitimacy of Putin's recent re-election.

The Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) has announced a protest in Prague on May 21 against proposed changes to the labor code and pensions, including opposition to dismissals without cause and the increase in retirement age. ČMKOS, with 31 unions and 270,000 members, opposes measures it believes could harm employees and exacerbate workplace inequalities. The protest comes amid ongoing debates over government proposals and aims to defend workers' rights and conditions.

The Czech hockey team ranks fourth in the betting odds for winning the world championship, with Canada, the USA, and Sweden considered stronger contenders, according to betting offices contacted by Czech News Agency. Despite the formidable competition, Czech fans remain optimistic about the team's performance, particularly in the home environment. This year's IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships will take place in Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26.

Věra Jourová, Vice President of the European Commission, confirmed that the Voice of Europe media platform will be added to the EU's forthcoming sanctions list against Russia. The Czech government previously sanctioned the platform for attempting to influence European elections. Additionally, the Czech Republic seeks to include pro-Russian Ukrainian businessmen Artyom Marchevsky and Viktor Medvedchuk on the EU list for similar activities. However, Jourová noted uncertainty regarding their inclusion.

Firefighters in Pardubice have reported to an increase calls about bee swarms in recent days, noting on social media that they only intervene in public areas or imminent health threats. Private companies handle most cases, with firefighters prioritizing those involving allergies or public safety. People are urged to contact local beekeepers first, allowing bees time to disperse naturally. Understanding bees' vital role in pollination, experts emphasize the importance of conservation and collaborative efforts in managing bee-related incidents.