Czech news in brief for September 11: Wednesday's top headlines

The Heating Association of the Czech Republic announced that heating plants in the country are ready for the upcoming heating season, with some already starting in the Karlovy Vary region and higher-lying areas. Due to a significant drop in temperatures this week, the start of the season has accelerated compared to previous years. The average daily temperature has dropped by 15 degrees in just a few days, which is highly unusual. The heating season typically starts mid-September, lasting until May, and may be limited or interrupted if temperatures rise above 13 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days.

The Faculty of Arts at Ostrava University closed in an emergency today due to an anonymous shooting threat, but the suspect – a former student and local resident – has been detained, police say. A university representative confirmed that a former student was behind the threat. No one was injured. Educational institutions in the Czech Republic have been receiving threatening emails since last Tuesday. Their author(s) threatened schools with being booby-trapped or possibly with explosions. Similar events have been ongoing in Slovakia.

Interior Minister Vít Rakušan has urged the public to exercise caution for the rest of this week and over the weekend due to the risk of flooding. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning for extreme rainfall and potential flooding. Environment Minister Petr Hladík stated that the forecast is similar to major floods in 1997 and 2002. An online meeting with regional governors will be held this afternoon and the Central Flood Commission will meet on Thursday due to the flood risk.

According to an August poll released by the Czech Center for Public Opinion Research, public trust in the government and Chamber of Deputies has risen slightly in recent months, with nearly one-quarter of citizens expressing confidence. Trust in President Petr Pavel and the Senate dropped slightly, to 53 percent and 30 percent respectively. Local mayors and councils remain the most trusted, claiming two-thirds of the public's confidence. Despite minor improvements, the Fiala cabinet and the lower house still rank the lowest in trust, compared to higher levels seen pre-2023.

Czech authorities are investigating fraud allegations involving the transfer of real estate owned by the Prague archbishopric, with potential damages of around CZK 200 million. In this case, the police have clarified that the archbishop is a victim and others are being investigated. The National Center Against Organised Crime is taking steps in the case, while the supervising prosecutor Jiří Pražák confirmed that police are gathering evidence at multiple locations, including the archbishopric seat. No arrests or charges have been made yet. 

The Czech Republic and Hungary are considering co-hosting the 2029 Ice Hockey World Championship, with the group stage potentially being held in the new multifunctional arena in Brno. According to the presidents of both national associations, Alois Hadamczik and Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyerová, officials discussed the idea on Tuesday and received verbal agreement. However, the final decision depends on the International Ice Hockey Federation's approval of Hungary's candidacy. Officials said that Czechia's 2024 hosting of the championship was a success, with higher-than-expected turnout.

Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura expressed confidence that the government will unanimously approve next year’s draft state budget and that all coalition members of parliament will support it. He downplayed concerns over additional funds for housing construction, sought by the Pirates party, calling it a misunderstanding. Stanjura also aims to push for a legislative change to reduce support for renewable energy sources. He stated that ongoing negotiations are bringing the coalition closer to a final agreement.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský spoke at an international conference in Seoul about the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations. He emphasized the importance of democratic states staying united in the face of new threats, including the potential misuse of AI for disinformation campaigns. Lipavský also called for accountability from the private sector and highlighted the recent UN resolution on human rights in the context of digital technologies, which was co-sponsored by the Czech Republic. 

Senate President Miloš Vystrčil is in Kyiv for the fourth summit of the Crimean Platform, which aims to end the Russian occupation of Crimea. He will also pay tribute to the victims of Soviet deportations during his visit. In a statement, Vystrčil emphasized the importance of standing with Ukraine and the need for their participation in peace negotiations. This is his second trip to Ukraine since last 2023, when he attended the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform and visited the Crimean administrative border.