Czech news in brief for November 26: Tuesday's top headlines

The Czech Parliamentary Mandate and Immunity Committee will decide today whether to initiate disciplinary action against ANO leader Andrej Babiš. The move follows an incident in which Babiš called Pirate Party deputy leader Jakub Michálek a “psychopath” and “sociopath” during an October parliamentary session. Michálek submitted a complaint to the committee. The committee has previously handled similar cases, including issuing a fine to SPD chairman Tomio Okamura for inflammatory remarks.

Reported cases of rape and domestic violence in Czechia have risen, with preliminary 2023 data suggesting a record high, said Radan Safarik, head of the government’s gender equality department, on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Evictions for domestic abuse could also reach a record. A Eurobarometer survey found Czechs more tolerant of violence and more likely to blame victims compared to other EU countries.

A Slovak man is among 16 people missing after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea off Egypt, Slovak media reported. The boat, carrying 44 people, including 31 tourists and 13 Egyptians, sent a distress signal early Monday. Most were rescued, but search efforts continue for the missing, including 12 tourists and four crew. Egyptian authorities noted rough waters and high waves may have contributed to the incident.

Record-breaking temperatures were recorded across parts of Czechia on Nov. 25, with some areas reaching over 18.5 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature, 18.6°C, was observed in Zlaté Hory, Jesenice. Thirteen out of 168 long-term stations exceeded or matched previous records, including Albrechtice and Kašperské Hory. However, temperatures are expected to drop as a cold front moves in, bringing rain and afternoon highs between 3-11°C, according to Czech meteorologists.

A two-year-old therapy dog belonging to a Czech woman escaped from the luggage area at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport on Tuesday, according to Le Parisien. The dog, named Amalka, aids the 29-year-old woman with concentration disorder. Airport staff, firefighters, veterinarians, and a drone are involved in the ongoing search. The woman, en route to Dallas, remains in Paris following the dog’s disappearance.

Oscar-winning musicians Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard will join Czech singer and actor Vojtěch Dyk for his "Dykuvzdání" concert on November 27 at Prague’s O2 Arena. Known for their Oscar-winning song Falling Slowly from Once, Irglová and Hansard add star power to Dyk’s show, featuring his band DYK. Dyk’s solo career, launched in 2019, includes collaborations with Grammy winner Ondřej Pivec and acclaim in Czech music and film.