Czech news in brief for November 14: Tuesday's top headlines

Thousands of university students in the Czech Republic are going on strike to protest the climate crisis and advocate for a more sustainable economy. Organizers hope to spark a debate about the current system and its impact on the climate and people's lives. They are calling for a climate law, the introduction of citizens' assemblies, and a new way to measure economic success.

The strike will culminate in a parade through Prague on Nov. 17, coinciding with the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The Universities for Climate student movement, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future, has previously staged strikes in 2019 and 2022.

Thirteen people have been charged in the case of possible illegal influencing of public contracts for transport constructions in the Olomouc Region. The accused, including politicians and businessmen, are being interrogated for crimes such as obtaining an advantage in the awarding of a public contract, accepting bribery, and fraud.

Most of them are accused of committing these crimes for the benefit of an organized criminal group. The investigation also involved raids on the offices of regional officials and the Road Administration of the Olomouc Region. The regional leadership commissioned an external forensic audit in connection with previous suspicions of contract irregularities.

Over 1,500 applications for compensation for unlawful sterilization have been received by the Czech Health Ministry. So far, 785 applications have been processed and over 500 have been approved, according to lawyers from the Human Rights League, which helps victims. The compensation process has been criticized for its lengthiness, as medical records were often destroyed.

Women who underwent the procedure without their consent between 1966 and 2012 are eligible for compensation, while procedures after 2012 are not covered by the compensation law. No modifications have been made to the recognition process for compensation despite discussion by the Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs.

As of today, several major banks in the Czech Republic have launched a new contact payment service that allows users to send money to a foreign account using the recipient's phone number instead of their account number. The banks are Air Bank, Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Fio banka, Komerční banka, and Raiffeisenbank, and the service aims to simplify sending money between individuals and reduce the risk of mistakes.

Clients need to actively sign up for the service and pair their phone number with their bank account. The maximum payment is currently set at CZK 5,000. The service is expected to facilitate domestic transactions and is already available in foreign financial services like Revolut.

The funeral of Karel Schwarzenberg, former foreign minister of the Czech Republic, will take place at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle on Dec. 9. After the ceremony, his remains may be placed at the ancestral tomb at Orlík Castle. The family has not released further details about the arrangements.

Schwarzenberg, who passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 85 in Vienna, was remembered as a dedicated politician and patriot who played a significant role in shaping Czech society. A service will also be held in his memory in his childhood village of Čimelice. Condolence books are available for people to share their memories at various locations around Prague.

More than 60 percent of Czech employees feel that they are being underpaid, according to a survey by Up ČR. Of those, 13.7 percent believe they receive significantly less than they should. The survey also found that more women (63.7 percent) than men (57.2 percent) are dissatisfied with their financial evaluation.

In addition, 55 percent of respondents stated that their wages have not increased in line with rising inflation. The average gross salary in the Czech Republic increased by 7.7 percent year-on-year, but in real terms, it fell by 3.1 percent.

In a frightening armed robbery Monday in San Francisco, three attackers stole cameras and footage from Czech Television correspondent Bohumil Vostal and cameraman Milan Nosek. Police arrived minutes later as the criminals fled in a dark sedan.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the robbers pointed a gun at Nosek's stomach and Vostal's head while stealing over USD 18,000 worth of equipment, thwarting their coverage of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events. The journalists regret losing their content but continued reporting with replacement gear.

On Tuesday evening, President Petr Pavel will host the quarterly meeting of the highest constitutional officials to align Czech foreign policy strategy. In attendance will be Prime Minister Petr Fiala, House Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. The gatherings resumed after Pavel's election in January to promote cooperation across branches on domestic and international issues.

In May, discussions centered on relations with neighbors, Ukraine, China, and Taiwan. Speaker Pekarová Adamová said consistent consultation is vital, allowing the Czech Republic to maximize its position globally. Former President Miloš Zeman previously organized similar briefings but stopped inviting all participants due to political disputes.

Physicians and Czech health officials did not agree on doctors' pay and working conditions after a meeting on Monday. Ministers proposed the same solution rejected last week that only benefits some hospitals and practitioners.

Doctor groups insist changes apply uniformly to address burnout from long hours and inadequate breaks. Another session is scheduled for Nov. 21 as representatives remain far apart in their negotiations.

The EU foreign ministers meeting Monday in Brussels found no simple solutions to end unrest between Israel and Palestine, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. While acknowledging the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the 27 nations reiterated support for a two-state resolution.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will visit the region this week to push negotiations. No breakthroughs emerged, but helping civilians in Gaza through aid remained a priority for the bloc seeking to curb further violence in the long dispute.

The 15th annual Prague Photo exhibition opened at Clam-Gallas Palace with the awarding of the 2023 Prague Photo Young Award to Zdeněk Píša, an EDUSO secondary school student. Nearly 120 artists will showcase their work through Nov.19, including students and graduates from schools and universities alongside independent photographers.

The show juxtaposes contemporary images with baroque architecture and features presentations from individual photographers and galleries. An accompanying program includes meetings and new publications launches. After reconstruction, the exhibition returns to Clam-Gallas Palace.