Czech news in brief for October 22: Sunday's top headlines

Volunteers and forestry experts in Vohančice, near Brno, planted nearly 170 trees to combat soil erosion and restore the local landscape on Saturday. Over five years, the community of 200 residents has been implementing anti-erosion measures, including planting trees, constructing embankments, and renewing dirt roads.

President Petr Pavel was among those planting symbolic trees, emphasizing environmental resilience and community engagement. Despite facing challenges like the climate crisis, the village remains committed to preserving its environment and aims to plant another 1,000 trees over the next five years.

Police in Prague have charged a 45-year-old man with murder after initially investigating a severe assault with fatal consequences. The incident took place in a pub in Prague's Žižkov district, resulting in one man's death. The conflict between two 45-year-old men turned fatal when one was found on the ground with severe stab wounds.

The police detained the suspect, and after further investigation, they reclassified the case as murder. If convicted, the accused could face up to 18 years in prison. Additional details about the conflict and the suspect's cooperation with investigators remain undisclosed.

Dean Cain, the American actor known for his portrayal of Clark Kent in the Superman series from 1993 to 1997, was one of the main stars at the Comic-Con Junior pop culture festival in Brno this weekend. Despite having appeared in over 200 films and series, Cain remains most associated with playing Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark, he tells Czech News Agency.

Cain is also involved in directing and screenwriting, with several film projects in the works, although he, like many actors, is currently part of a Hollywood strike due to concerns about streaming service working conditions and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the industry. Cain is optimistic that the strike will conclude in early 2024.

The Czech Republic experienced another exceptionally warm day, breaking temperature records for Oct. 21 at roughly a third of its 160 weather stations across the country. The highest temperature, 24.3 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Karviná. Temperatures also reached 24 degrees in Opava and Pohořelice.

This unseasonable warmth occurred throughout the country, with regions experiencing temperatures considerably higher than normal. A cool-down is expected for Sunday, with temperatures not exceeding 17 degrees Celsius in most regions and the possibility of showers and thunderstorms.

Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Jan Ondřejka, a representative of the Czech Embassy in Moscow, over Czechia's stance on the recent Hroza village attack in Ukraine. While Russia denies responsibility, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský had previously summoned the Russian Ambassador to Prague, Alexander Zmeyevsky, regarding the same attack.

Russia has expressed concerns about the Czech Republic's role in the Ukrainian conflict, its support for Kyiv, and arms provision, which it believes contributes to regional destabilization. The Czech Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of international law and the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict in response.

Demonstrators converged outside Prague's Israeli Embassy on Saturday, with some expressing their opposition to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Around ten individuals, showing their support for Israel, waved Israeli flags and a US flag. The event unfolded without incident during its approximately half-hour duration.

A strong police presence, including uniformed and plainclothes officers, along with members of an anti-conflict team, monitored the gathering. Tensions have swirled worldwide following the surprise attack by Hamas two weeks ago, and subsequent actions taken by Israel.

In Dvur Králové Safari Park, Ghost Week commenced on Saturday and will run until Oct. 29. Visitors can enjoy carving pumpkin ghosts and exploring themed decorations and guided tours in the expanded World of Skeletons exhibit, which houses several hundred skeleton exhibits, including those of northern white rhinos.

The highlight of the event, inspired by Anglo-Saxon Halloween traditions, is an early evening haunted trail on Oct. 28 where children will engage in various activities. The park expects to collect about ten tons of pumpkins for decorations and animal feeding during the event, with hopes to set a new visitor record, building upon last year's record attendance of 39,000 visitors during Ghost Week.

A Eurobarometer survey reveals that 84 percent of Czechs support a ban on individual cages for farm animals, and this view is shared by 89 percent of people across the entire EU. The results were highlighted by the organization Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) in response to the European Commission's delay in presenting legislation regulating animal living conditions on farms, which was expected in September.

The survey also found that a majority of Czechs believe that animal welfare rules should apply to imported food and that the transportation of live animals within the EU should be limited. The CIWF is considering legal action due to the Commission's commitment delay.

A 1937 two-ducat Czechoslovak coin, considered one of the most coveted coins by local collectors, fetched a record-breaking price of CZK 20.7 million at a Prague auction on Friday. This sale sets a new high for Czechoslovak coin auctions, exceeding the initial starting bid of CZK 16 million.

The coin's distinguished history, originating from the collection of Karel Hackenschmied, an esteemed figure in the Czechoslovak Ministry of Finance, added to its allure among investors and collectors. Over 500 items were available for collectors during the on-site auction, with an additional 1900 items available in an upcoming internet auction from Oct. 23 to 26, 2023.

The Czech Ministry of Labor has proposed processing maternity, paternity, and nursing benefits electronically from 2025, utilizing the e-disability system. This extends to self-employed and contract workers, provided they meet certain conditions. The move aims to streamline administration and expedite processes, with doctors electronically notifying social administration of treatment needs or expected birth dates.

Employers can request benefits, and a range of situations requiring nursing care will be covered. Additionally, self-employed individuals would receive sick leave after paying contributions for a specific period. This proposed law will undergo government discussion. These changes may also impact the coverage of nursing homes.

A survey conducted in June by ČPP Servis reveals that two-fifths of cottages and recreational cabins in the Czech Republic lack insurance coverage against theft. Among those that do have insurance, the most common coverage amount is between CZK 50,000 and CZK 100,000, accounting for 33 percent of cases, while 6 percent have coverage up to CZK 50,000.

Over the winter months, statistics indicate an increase in thefts targeting these properties, often resulting in the loss of garden tools, electronics, and more, with average damages exceeding CZK 20,000 per burglary.