Czech news in brief for October 4: Friday's top headlines

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will perform the first of three concerts in Prague tonight, as part of his worldwide tour promoting his latest album Rough and Rowdy Ways. The concert will take place at the O2 arena, marking Dylan’s first return to the Czech capital since 2019. The artist, known for classics like Blowin’ in the Wind, has been touring extensively since the album's release in 2020. Additional performances are scheduled for the following days.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies continues its intense debate on pension reform, a critical government initiative to address long-term sustainability concerns. The reform includes gradual retirement age increases and changes to pension calculation formulas. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Marian Jurečka defended the proposal, emphasizing the need to prevent a future financial crisis. Opposition parties expressed concerns about the fairness of these changes for older workers.

A secret meeting between a Russian oligarch and FBI representatives took place in Prague two years ago, facilitated by a Czech police officer under investigation for his involvement. The meeting aimed to negotiate terms regarding the oligarch's legal issues, reports Deník N. Details remain undisclosed, but the incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of politically influential Russian figures and ramifications for international law enforcement.

The Czech Republic is seeing an uptick in Covid-19 infections alongside an increase in flu cases, according to public health officials. As colder months approach, healthcare professionals are urging citizens to take preventive measures, such as vaccination, to curb the spread of both illnesses. Hospitals are preparing for a potential surge in patients, with medical experts emphasizing the importance of hygiene, mask-wearing, and self-isolation when symptoms arise.

A Eurobarometer survey released this week revealed that rising prices and the cost of living are the foremost concerns for European Union citizens as the new parliamentary term begins. In the Czech Republic, nearly half of respondents (48 percent) cited these issues as motivation for voting in the recent European Parliament elections, while 47 percent expressed concern over the international situation and 40 percent mentioned economic conditions. The survey included over 26,000 interviews across all 27 EU member states.

A manuscript titled Experiments with Plant Hybrids, authored by Gregor Johann Mendel in 1865, is set to be nominated for inclusion in UNESCO's Memory of the World program. Together group director Jakub Carda announced that the 12-page document, which records Mendel's pioneering experiments with peas and establishes the laws of inheritance, took five years to prepare for nomination. If successful, it would enhance the visibility of important Czech documents; currently, the Czech Republic has ten entries in the register.