Czech news in brief for October 17: Thursday's top headlines

The Czech Foreign Ministry today awarded 10 people and two organizations the Gratias Agit prize for promoting the Czech Republic abroad. Among the honorees were poet Jana Beranová, philologist Helena Lehečková, and historian Jacques Rupnik. Awards also went to Argentine activist Gabriel C. Salvia, constitutional law professor Michael Paul Seng, and Holocaust survivor Alexander Speiser (posthumously). Since its inception in 1997, over 300 people and organizations have received the award.

According to Czech judge Ladislav Hejtmánek, the Prague Municipal Court dismissed a lawsuit by Goszagransobstvennost, a Russian enterprise managing Russian properties in the Czech Republic, against its inclusion on the national sanctions list. The court ruled that the government's decision was lawful and that the company's procedural rights were respected. The company’s assets were frozen following its addition to the list in November last year.

According to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, the Czech Ammunition Initiative will continue beyond 2024 to supply Ukraine with ammunition in 2025. So far, 18 countries have joined the initiative, with 15 fulfilling their pledges, allowing for the delivery of half a million rounds of ammunition by the end of 2024. The leaders encouraged other EU and non-EU countries to continue supplying weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

The educational SYRI National Institute reported today that 13 percent of Czech primary school teachers plan to leave the profession, citing reasons such as low pay and excess workload. Younger teachers find poor salaries the worst aspect of the job, while older teachers mainly have issues with the state curriculum. The researchers emphasized that competitive salaries, class composition, strong leadership, and school innovation are key to retaining educators.

Michal Bárbořík, head of the Interior Ministry's Crime Prevention Department, reported that child trafficking cases in Czechia remain hidden, with victims often uncooperative and unwilling to report crimes. The ministry launched an awareness campaign to help the public identify the signs. Markéta Hronková from the La Strada non-governmental organization noted that Czechia's care system was unprepared for Ukrainian refugees, who are particularly at risk of trafficking.

European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová told Politico that Elon Musk “is not able to recognize good and evil” and promotes “evil.” Jourova, representing the Czech Republic, criticized Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) as a hub for anti-Semitism. Musk, a self-declared supporter of free speech, has faced EU criticism over content moderation since acquiring Twitter in 2022. Jourova will return to academia after leaving the EC.

The Czech government has approved a monthly financial compensation of approximately CZK 100,000 for First Lady Eva Pavlová. The Ministry of Labor confirmed that the funds will come from her husband, President Petr Pavel’s compensation package. This measure aims to recognize the First Lady’s contributions and alleviate financial dependency. The new compensation structure will count her time at Prague Castle toward her pension.

Nick Jonas abruptly left the stage during the Jonas Brothers concert at O2 Arena in Prague on Oct. 15 after an attendee aimed a laser pointer at him. Footage shows Jonas sprinting away while gesturing for a time-out. A spokesperson confirmed the concert was briefly interrupted due to the incident, which was addressed by venue staff. The band resumed their performance after a short delay. The concert is part of their ongoing world tour.

A survey by Edenred reveals that Czechs prioritize low prices over balanced diets, with time constraints and high meat consumption further hindering nutritional choices. Conducted with 2,807 respondents, the Food Barometer indicates rising costs—average lunches now at CZK 192—deter healthy eating. While interest in nutrition is growing, over half the population is overweight, and only 13 percent meet vegetable intake recommendations, highlighting the need for better food education and access.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts a sunny end to the week, with daily temperatures reaching around 15°C. Morning fog and strong winds may occur in some areas, particularly in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and northern Bohemia. Today’s highs will range from 14°C to 18°C, with wind gusts up to 90 km/h expected in mountainous regions. Cloudy conditions will persist into the weekend, with additional fog likely.