Czech news in brief for October 23: Monday's top headlines

During the first day of the Crimean Platform parliamentary summit in Prague today, the head of Ukraine's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, discussed the confiscation of frozen Russian assets with Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová. They also talked about the situation on the front, the needs of the Ukrainian military, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Stefanchuk expressed gratitude for the Czech Republic's support and solidarity with Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. The Czech Republic has frozen EUR 347.36 million worth of Russian assets, and the EU is considering using these funds to compensate for war damages.

The Vsetín District Court has determined that the poisoning of the Bečva River, which killed over 39 tons of fish in September 2020, was caused by the Energoaqua company, although no penalty was imposed.

The court referred the matter to the Czech Environmental Inspectorate for further investigation. The verdict is not yet final. The judge cited evidence such as expert opinions, videos, and witness statements to conclude that fish were poisoned by cyanide. The court acquitted the company's director, Oldřich Havelka.

Economist and former presidential candidate Danuše Nerudová has resigned as head of the Institute of Accounting and Taxes at Mendel University's Faculty of Business and Economics. She cited disagreements with the faculty's direction and plans to run for the European Parliament, according to Deník N.

Nerudová will be running in next year's European elections for the junior government Mayors and Independents (STAN) party. The university's new management has implemented changes such as unifying student conditions and tightening standards for selecting tutors and reporting publications. Cooperation with controversial mediation agencies has also been terminated.

Czech band Vesna towered on a billboard above New York's Times Square last week when they became the ambassadors of the global Equal initiative from the Spotify platform. Formed in 2016 to celebrate feminism and Slavism, the group has Czech Patricie Fuxová on lead vocals, plus members from Slovakia, Russia, and Bulgaria.

The band represented the Czech Republic last year in the Eurovision contest with the song My Sister's Crown, and took the fourth spot in the first semifinal.

An accident involving four cars and a van with a tow truck caused the closure of the D10 highway at the 54th kilometer in the direction of Prague on Monday morning. Two people sustained minor injuries at the scene, and emergency response units were dispatched. Full traffic flow resumed just before 11 a.m.

The collision occurred before 8 a.m., with most of the individuals involved escaping unharmed. Rescuers provided on-site treatment to two people who were subsequently transported to Mladá Boleslav Hospital for further examination, according to Monika Nováková, spokesperson for the Central Bohemian Rescue Service.

American giant Microsoft is likely to distance itself from the construction of a data center in Prague due to complex legislative requirements, sources wishing to remain anonymous told business magazine e15. The situation does not look optimistic, with little chance of the project proceeding. Microsoft has not provided any comment on the matter yet.

This is not an isolated case, as other investors have also opted for neighboring countries with more favorable conditions. Although Microsoft has had positive experiences in the Czech Republic with its research and development center, bureaucratic challenges remain in certain areas.

Temperatures in the Czech Republic will remain above average this week, with highs reaching 18 degrees Celsius. Showers or rain are expected from Tuesday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The warm weather is due to warmer air from the southwest. Cloudiness will increase this afternoon but without precipitation.

Temperatures may cool slightly by mid-week, with highs of around 15 degrees on Wednesday. Rain or showers are forecasted from Tuesday, including occasional thunderstorms. The rainy weather will continue during the autumn school holidays, with fog expected on some days.

Czech Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan stated in a TV interview on Sunday that there is currently no evidence of radicalization within the Muslim community in the Czech Republic. He made this statement amid concerns over potential radicalization following a terrorist attack by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Rakušan mentioned that police experts on extremism monitor pro-Palestinian demonstrations, emphasizing that supporting terrorism is not permissible in the country. He further stated that no explicit support for Hamas had been observed at such events. The security forces continue to assess the situation, and the threat level can be adjusted as needed.

Members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies will begin deliberations on the draft state budget for the upcoming year this week, which has been proposed by the government with a deficit of CZK 252 billion. Their agenda will also encompass discussions on various important amendments, such as raising parental allowances, improving medicine accessibility, digitalizing registers, and reevaluating the compensation of municipal and regional representatives.

Additionally, debates are expected on amendments to electoral law and new gun legislation. Changes to the admission process for secondary schools will also be discussed during this parliamentary session.

Czech tennis player Kateřina Siniaková clinched her fifth WTA singles title in a thrilling final against compatriot Maria Bouzková at the Jiangxi Open. Siniaková made a remarkable comeback, saving three match points to secure victory with a score of 1-6, 7-6, 7-6 in a marathon match lasting three hours and 33 minutes.

The 27-year-old from Hradec Králové captured her second title of the season, having previously won the Bad Homburg Open. It was also the first all-Czech final at a WTA event in two years.

By the end of November, the Czech Republic will have 360,000 packs of penicillin, according to Health Minister Vlastimil Válek. Penicillin supplies are gradually reaching pharmacies, although distribution isn't equal across all locations. Kamal Farhan, an MP from the opposition ANO movement, has criticized the government's amendment aiming to reduce medicine shortages on the Czech market.

The amendment would require manufacturers to provide medicinal products for up to two months after supply disruptions, and drug distributors to maintain a monthly supply. Some have found the amendment to be insufficient. Discussions continue in the Chamber of Deputies.

The ten-week-old Barbary lion quadruplets at Pilsen Zoo have received Arabic names starting with "H." The male is named Hassan, and the three females are Hayeta, Habiba, and Hakima. They were recently introduced to the large outdoor enclosure, joining the zoo's other lions, including their father and older siblings.

The Barbary lion is critically endangered and extinct in the wild, making these births crucial for the species. Pilsen Zoo has been actively breeding Barbary lions and continues its efforts to help preserve the subspecies. Visitors can now see this growing lion family in their expanded enclosure.