Czech news in brief for October 5: Saturday's top headlines

The Czech Senate is set to vote next Wednesday on proposed regulations for substances like kratom and low-THC cannabis, marking its final session before upcoming elections. The bill aims to classify psychoactive substances by risk and protect children, allowing only adults to purchase less risky options. Vendors will face restrictions, including a ban on public advertising.

Veolia Energie has restored operations at the Krnov heating plant, which was shut down due to flooding from the Opava River on September 14. The company’s crisis management team expects to stabilize heat and hot water supply for the entire city of over 22,000 residents by early next week, pending repairs to 53 remaining heat exchanger stations. Since September 24, temporary heating had been provided by an alternative source.

A repatriation flight organized by Slovakia will transport ten Czechs and three Lebanese family members from Lebanon today. The group will first fly to Larnaca, Cyprus, before continuing on to Bratislava, where they are expected to arrive tonight. This evacuation follows intensified Israeli military actions targeting Hezbollah-related sites in Lebanon, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The Czech embassy is in contact with all those seeking repatriation, and Czech diplomats are present at all involved airports.

The New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1at Prague’s O2 Arena to kick off the 2024-25 NHL season on Friday evening. Johnny Kovacevic led New Jersey with a goal and an assist, and Nathan Bastian added two assists. The game was part of the NHL Global Series, marking the league's return to Prague after two years. The teams observed a moment of silence for Johnny Gaudreau, who died in August. The second and final game of the Prague will take place today at 4 p.m.

Belgium will send over 350 dryers and dehumidifiers worth €156,000 (about CZK 4 million) to Czechia and Poland, recently hit by severe floods, the Belgian Foreign Ministry has announced. Belgium will also provide insecticides worth €25,000 (CZK 345,000) to Czech authorities. The support, part of Belgium’s B-FAST program, comes in response to requests through the EU civil protection system. The floods affected northern Moravia and Silesia in Czechia and southern Poland, causing over 20 deaths.

Around 1,800 women die of breast cancer annually in Czechia, despite a significant reduction in mortality due to regular screenings, according to new data release by public health insurer VZP. Last year, 57,000 VZP clients were treated for breast cancer, costing more than CZK 2.8 billion. Around 7,500 new cases are diagnosed annually, but over 40 percent of women aged 45 and above still skip screenings, which are fully covered by insurance.

American artist Noah Breuer is showcasing his artwork in Breclav, South Moravia, blending contemporary design with his family’s historical textile patterns. His “Navrat/Return” exhibition in Havlíček Villa highlights playful motifs from his family’s former factory in Dvůr Králové, which was founded in 1897 and seized by Nazis in 1939. Breuer, now a professor at the University at Buffalo, reinterprets these designs as a tribute to his family’s legacy in Czechia.

Czech philosopher and art theorist Miroslav Petríček will receive this year’s Vision 97 Prize, presented by the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation. Petríček is recognized for his contributions to contemporary philosophy and for bridging the fields of philosophy, art, and science. The award ceremony will be held today at the Prague Crossroads center. The Vision 97 Prize honors thinkers who approach science and human existence in innovative ways.

Mid-September floods broke a 127-year-old Czech record for daily rainfall when 386 mm fell in Loučná nad Desnou, North Moravia on Sept. 14, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported. The previous record was 345.1 mm in 1897. Heavy rain over several days led to streams overflowing, causing damage worth billions of crowns. The floods resulted in five confirmed deaths, with some people still missing. The Olomouc and Moravia-Silesia regions were among the hardest hit.