Czech news in brief for November 24: Sunday's top headlines

Czech wages will not catch up with German levels within the next electoral term, according to Deputy Speaker Jan Skopeček, speaking to CNN Prima News. While Prime Minister Petr Fiala previously claimed wage parity could be achieved under his leadership, Skopeček stressed the need for productivity growth, economic development, and a stronger koruna. Opposition leader Karel Havlíček dismissed Fiala's comments as unrealistic and suggested they risk misleading the public.

September floods in Czechia resulted in damages estimated at CZK 65–70 billion, Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura announced on Czech TV. Insurers are expected to cover CZK 20 billion, while the state has allocated CZK 30 billion for this year and CZK 10 billion for 2025. The government anticipates receiving a CZK 2.5 billion contribution from the EU’s Solidarity Fund. The floods heavily affected the Olomouc and Moravian-Silesian regions, damaging infrastructure and homes.

In eastern areas of Bohemia, snow remains on roads in areas of higher elevation, with some sections showing ice buildup due to a lack of salt treatment. Road conditions are passable but require caution, with slippery surfaces expected in the Krkonoše and Orlické mountains, as well as surrounding areas. Meteorologists also warned of black ice and strong winds, which are expected to continue into Monday. Drivers are advised to be cautious on roads, particularly in regions affected by freezing rain.

Nearly 80 percent of first-grade teachers in Czechia observe insufficient school readiness among their students, according to a Czech School Inspectorate report. Key issues include difficulties with motor skills for writing and drawing, attention problems, and speech challenges. Around 93 percent of schools have at least one child under speech therapy. Teachers urge better preparation in kindergartens and collaboration with primary schools to address these gaps.

The number of cyber threats spread via email in the Czech Republic surged by 73 percent in the third quarter of 2024, marking the second-highest increase globally, after Turkey. Analysts from cybersecurity firm Gen Digital attribute the surge to cybercriminals’ improved ability to bypass spam filters and an increase in data theft and dating scams. A new mobile spyware, NGate, also emerged, targeting sensitive financial information through NFC data theft.

Czech President Petr Pavel starts his visit to Australia today, where he plans to meet with the Czech expatriate community. His visit, which will extend to New Zealand, aims to strengthen ties with these active communities preserving Czech culture abroad. During the trip, Pavel will meet with leaders and officials, open a new embassy building in Canberra, and visit iconic sites like the Sydney Opera House. This marks the first presidential visit to the region in nearly 30 years.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a food security summit in Kyiv to discuss Czech ammunition supplies and future cooperation. Lipavský confirmed 500,000 rounds of artillery ammunition will be delivered by the end of the year, with plans to extend the initiative in 2025. He also presented Zelenskyy with a book countering Russian propaganda, sparking interest in a Ukrainian edition.

After extensive repairs, all eight lanes of the Barrandov Bridge in Prague will reopen to traffic at 1 p.m. today. The bridge’s complete reconstruction, which began in May 2022, has been completed a year ahead of schedule. However, costs increased from CZK 594.5 million to CZK 1.14 billion due to the use of modern concrete. The final phase of surface restoration is set for next year with no further traffic restrictions.

Awareness of the Roma Holocaust in Czechia remains insufficient despite recent improvements, historian Jana Horváthová told Czech News Agency. Out of 7,000 Roma living in the region before WWII, only 583 returned from Nazi concentration camps. Horváthová emphasized the need for better education on Roma history to combat stereotypes and support integration. Positive steps include the opening of a memorial at the former Lety camp and efforts by activists installing memorial plaques.

A fire at Orlen Unipetrol's Litvínov chemical plant caused an estimated CZK 50 million in damages but resulted in no injuries. Nine firefighting units responded Saturday evening to extinguish the blaze, which involved a light hydrocarbons unit. Firefighters allowed residual product to burn off while cooling the surrounding area. Investigators are set to examine the site today to determine the cause. Orlen Unipetrol is the Czech Republic’s largest petrochemical company.

Czech police successfully escorted seven wanted individuals from various countries, including six from Europe and one from Argentina, to the Czech Republic. Among those transported was a man convicted of child rape, apprehended in Buenos Aires. The six European detainees, facing charges such as extortion, fraud, theft, and obstruction of justice, were returned via both air and land routes. The operation involved multiple police units and international cooperation.