Czech news in brief for October 20: Friday's top headlines

The Czech Foreign Ministry has today urgently advised Czech citizens visiting or living in Lebanon to leave the country due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Commercial flight operations and the status of Beirut's international airport may become uncertain as the situation develops, the government says. Czechs can sign up to the government's DROZD web portal to get the latest updates on the situation.

This recommendation aligns with measures taken by the U.S., UK, and Germany. Travelers are urged to contact the embassy in Beirut in case of emergencies. This call for evacuation is prompted by the security situation near the Israel-Lebanon border, where the Israeli army and Hezbollah have engaged in hostilities, which are likely to escalate in the coming days. 

Data from the Ministry of Finance shows that at the end of the third quarter, Czech national debt stood at CZK 3.115 trillion, increasing by CZK 220.2 billion since the start of this year. By the end of September, the debt-to-GDP ratio reached 43.1 percent, up by 0.4 percent in 2023. 

According to the ministry, each Czech hypothetically bears a debt of CZK 286,474 on average. The primary factor behind this rise was the sale of state bonds to cover the budget deficit and pre-finance debt repayments, which amounted to CZK 180.7 billion by September. 

The Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic has joined a public fundraising campaign to support Israel amid the current conflict in the Middle East. Czechs have already contributed around CZK 2 million through various collections organized by different groups. 

The organization initiated a public collection called "Help for Israel" to aid the victims' families and assist in rebuilding damaged infrastructure. This campaign aims to address the extensive trauma resulting from the terrorist attack by Hamas, which caused over 1,400 Israeli casualties and numerous abductions.

Czech President Petr Pavel is set to host Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk at Prague Castle on Oct. 25, following the Crimean Platform international parliamentary summit in Prague on Oct. 23-24, Prague Castle confirmed today.

Founded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Crimean Platform aims to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity and will convene with representatives from 41 countries and five parliamentary assemblies. The summit's primary goal is to shed light on the Russian occupation of Crimea since 2014, emphasizing its impact on human rights, global food security, and international agreements. Zelenskiy will address participants via a live video call.

According to Health Ministry statistics presented today, breast cancer death rates in the Czech Republic have dropped by 31 percent over two decades thanks to preventive screening. Around 7,500 women are diagnosed annually, with 4,500 cases detected through screening. 

However, over 40 percent of women over 45 – particularly in Prague – do not go for regular checkups. Despite a 16-percent increase in new cases, the country boasts high treatment success rates. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek commended mammography screening's effectiveness and urged further expansion. Around 56,000 breast cancer patients were treated last year alone. In Czechia, breast cancer is most common in women aged 65 to 69 years old.

Czechia's General Health Insurance Company (VZP) has today issued a warning about fraudulent text messages that deceive recipients into making payments. The messages, which mimic the health insurer, were sent to some of the company's clients during the night. 

To confirm the authenticity of messages, clients can contact the VZP infoline at +420 952 222 222. The health insurer also mentioned that the official name that VZP uses when sending texts is always "EKK" or "VZP ČR," and that the SMS text is always accented. This incident follows similar recent cases involving companies like T-Mobile and the Czech Social Security Administration. VZP did not disclose information on whether any clients were defrauded. 

According to the State Health Institute (SZÚ), there has been a surge in cases of highly contagious whooping cough (pertussis) among unvaccinated children in Czechia in recent months. By the end of September, 127 cases were detected, which is twice the number compared to last year.

The infection poses the greatest risk to young children who have not completed their compulsory vaccination, including those who wish to attend kindergarten. The SZÚ highlighted that pertussis is also spreading more widely in other European countries. In response, SZÚ director Barbora Macková emphasized the importance of vaccination, urging parents with doubts to consult a pediatrician.

Prague police briefly closed the entrance to the Můstek metro station due to a suspected explosive device found in the vicinity of Wenceslas Square. The police received a report about the object, leading to the temporary closure of the busy area. After approximately an hour, a pyrotechnician confirmed that the object was not an explosive device, prompting the police to lift the closure.

While the Můstek station's vestibule was temporarily inaccessible, the subway continued to operate. Trams were redirected, and cars were not allowed through Wenceslas Square. This incident follows recent heightened security measures around Jewish buildings and cultural sites after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

The Czech government has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to increase the number of qualified foreign workers from third countries by an additional 20,000 per year, starting next year. This expansion aims to address labor shortages in various sectors, including IT, healthcare, assembly work, and construction. The move is seen as a response to the long-standing issue of a lack of both skilled and unskilled labor, particularly in fields where Czech citizens are less interested in working.

While the increase in foreign workers is expected to alleviate labor shortages, it is acknowledged that it won't fully address the structural issues within the Czech economy. Ukraine is among the countries targeted by this increase in quotas, with additional positions allocated for its citizens.

Czech Republic is set to inaugurate its most powerful wind power plant, a 4.2-megawatt installation in Žipotín, part of the Gruna village in the Svitavy Region by the end of October. The wind turbine, standing at 179 meters, is replacing an older unit that's been in Žipotín since 2006.

Supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade with a EUR 1.6 million (USD 1.8 million) European subsidy, it's expected to meet the annual energy demands of approximately 5,000 households. This endeavor signifies a promising development in wind energy investments amid favorable conditions, with more such projects planned for the future.

Prague's Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, bestowed the Gratias Agit Award upon eight individuals and an organization for their outstanding efforts in promoting the Czech Republic abroad. Among the recipients is writer Eva Erbenová, who shared her Holocaust survivor story and returned from Israel on a repatriation flight.

The laureates were acknowledged for their contributions to the Czech Republic's reputation in various fields, such as culture, science, expatriate engagement, and humanitarian endeavors. The Gratias Agit Award has been presented by the Foreign Ministry since 1997 to individuals and organizations that have advanced the Czech Republic's global image and nurtured foreign interest in Czechia.

Christmas cookies have already hit store shelves in the Czech Republic, with themed offers related to baking appearing in supermarket chains. The Association of Bakers and Confectioners reports that bakeries are receiving a similar number of pre-orders for Christmas products as last year, with prices remaining relatively stable despite increasing inflation.

Agrofert holding, which includes Penam and United Bakeries, anticipates growth in Christmas cookie sales this year, launching a special Odkolek brand offer. Various supermarket chains are offering seasonal products such as gingerbread and Christmas decorations, with retailers typically experiencing a significant sales boost in the run-up to the holiday season.