Czech news in brief for November 11: Monday's top headlines

The Poverty Watch 2024 report, presented by the Czech branch of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), revealed a growing energy poverty crisis in Czechia, where over 1.3 million people struggled to afford adequate heating last year—up from 770,000 in 2020. Iva Kuchyňková of Caritas Czech Republic highlighted worsening conditions, noting that rising debt, inadequate social benefits, and housing issues leave many families, including children, without essential heating and electricity.

Director of the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) Tomáš Boráň is confident that there will be no shortage of pharmacies due to antibiotic supply issues this winter, he has announced today. Authorities have implemented measures to manage increased demand, and Boráň notes that supplies of fever, pain medications, and pediatric antibiotic syrups are sufficient. Additionally, SÚKL plans to enhance digitalization in 2024, enabling patients to track their medication co-pays in the eRecept mobile app.

People earlier today discovered a large pile of clothes and textiles, weighing several tons, in Prague 1’s náměstí Republiky. They are investigating whether the items are waste or intended for reuse and who dropped them off. The City of Prague announced this afternoon that on Tuesday morning it will hold a press briefing at the site to further examine the issue.

An analysis from investment platform Port reveals that the Czech Republic’s inflation rose to 2.8 percent in October, ranking it 15th among 41 European countries, up from 17th in September. Ukraine led with the highest inflation at 9.7 percent, followed by Russia at 8.6 percent. Poland (5 percent) and Slovakia (3.1 percent) also saw higher rates, while Austria (1.8 percent) and Germany (2 percent) recorded lower levels. Slovenia reported stable year-on-year prices, leading the list.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová marked War Veterans' Day at Prague's Vítkov Memorial, emphasizing humanity's failure to learn from past world wars, as conflicts still cost innocent lives. She honored war veterans alongside Chief of Staff Karel Řehka, presenting decorations to soldiers. Former battalion commander Vladimír Braun received the Cross of State Defence for his leadership in the former Yugoslavia and his role in the Czechoslovak chemical warfare mission in the Persian Gulf.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated before departing for the COP29 climate conference in Baku that Europe should not bear climate commitments alone. Emphasizing a pragmatic approach, he urged balancing climate action with economic growth, European competitiveness, and living standards. Fiala advocated expanding the list of donor countries for the USD 100 billion (CZK 2.34 trillion) aid fund to support developing nations and noted the importance of hearing diverse global perspectives at the conference.

The Czech Republic is commemorating War Veterans’ Day today, honoring soldiers from both World Wars, legionnaires, and modern-day military personnel. Events across the country include award ceremonies, military equipment displays, and commemorative concerts. The poppy flower, a symbol of remembrance, is featured prominently in various initiatives, including the Post Bellum collection to support veterans and preserve their stories.

The Pirate Party has elected Prague Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib as its new chairman. Analysts suggest Hřib’s public office gave him an advantage over his opponent, Lukáš Wagenknecht. However, concerns remain about Hřib’s leadership style and the party’s internal divisions. While Hřib aims to strengthen the party for the upcoming parliamentary elections, his decision to remain in Prague politics could limit his national impact.

Dozens of Roma people gathered in Nachod to protest a recent attack on a young Roma man. The peaceful demonstration, organized by the Roma Association of Nachod, aimed to raise awareness about safety concerns within the community. Police are investigating the incident as a potential case of rioting and battery, while urging the public to avoid spreading misinformation.

Prices of older houses in major Czech cities saw year-on-year increases in the third quarter, ranging from 3 percent to 13 percent. Prices also climbed compared to the previous quarter in most cities, with only Hradec Králové and Olomouc experiencing dips. FérMakléři.cz attributes the rise to heightened demand for older houses coupled with limited supply. The current median price across the Czech Republic sits at CZK 39,393 per square meter, reflecting a 7 percent year-on-year and 2 percent quarter-on-quarter increase.

Artificial intelligence is assisting cardiologists at Prague’s Motol University Hospital in diagnosing patients with chest pain. A new app analyzes ECG waveforms to identify potential heart attacks, providing faster and more accurate results. The app, developed in the U.S., has a reliability rate exceeding 90 percent. While it is still awaiting approval in the U.S., it has been implemented in some European countries and is being considered for wider use in the Czech Republic.