Czech news in brief for September 10: Tuesday's top headlines

Czech schools received over 2,500 threatening emails today, similar to previous threats. Police reported the threats’ severity is low. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior have issued a new safety protocol to school principals. Threats have been ongoing since last Tuesday, with some speculating they may be part of a hybrid attack. Authorities are working with international counterparts to address the situation.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) warns of heavy to extreme rainfall from Thursday to Sunday, potentially raising river levels significantly. The institute expects over 100 millimeters of rain in many areas, with even higher amounts in certain locations. The period will also be windy, increasing the risk of tree damage. ČHMÚ will issue a detailed warning by Wednesday, as models predict potential flooding impacts in the Czech Republic and neighboring regions.

Czech doctors and healthcare workers, represented by trade unions and the Czech Medical Chamber (CLK), are urged to resign from overtime work by Oct. 30 if salary increase negotiations fail. The unions claim the Health Ministry has not fulfilled promises to link salaries to average wages. The ministry plans to meet with unions on September 26. Last year, around 6,000 doctors participated in similar overtime terminations.

In August, the Czech Republic fell to 21st place among 41 European countries in inflation rankings, down from 15th in July. According to the Czech Statistical Office, year-on-year inflation remained steady at 2.2 percent. Russia had the highest inflation in Europe at 9.1 percent, while Lithuania and Latvia reported the lowest at 0.7 percent. Eurozone inflation also dropped to 2.2 percent, aligning with market expectations.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský highlighted cyberspace as a major battleground in global geopolitics during a Seoul conference on AI in the military. Lipavský emphasized AI's dual role in enhancing defense and data protection while enabling hybrid attacks and disinformation. He stressed the need for democratic unity, international standards, and private-sector accountability in addressing AI’s challenges and opportunities.

Czechia has recorded 57 tropical days (30°C or higher) this year, the third highest since 1990, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported. The most tropical days occurred in 2018 and 2003. The year’s highest temperature, 37.1°C, was in Straznice on August 14. More tropical days may still occur.

Evžen Korec, director of Tábor Zoo and geneticist, has cloned a Cane Corso dog named Aristocrat Korec Corso in the U.S., the first cloned dog in Central Europe. The two-month-old clone, Aristocrat Korec Corso II, arrived in Prague in early September and is in quarantine. The cloning process, costing two million crowns, involved complex genetic manipulation and a surrogate mother of a different breed.

Czech police have solved an eight-year-old missing person case after finding skeletal remains in a forest near Neznabohy. The remains were identified as a 36-year-old foreigner who died after a conflict. The suspect, who buried the body, has since died. The case is now closed, police said Thursday.

Protesters, led by ornithologists, marched in Brno against a planned cable car over the city, citing environmental concerns and procedural irregularities. The petition against the project has over 5,000 signatures. Protesters plan to camp outside City Hall before a city council meeting Tuesday. Officials argue that cable cars will ease traffic congestion, with a budget of around one billion crowns.

Next year, Prague City Hall will receive CZK 7.14 billion from the municipality for its operation, which is about 0.47 billion more year-on-year. The city also has hundreds of millions in budget reserves for the town hall, including for projects with money from European funds or in reserve for special purpose one-off subsidies.