Czech news in brief for September 26: Thursday's top headlines

President Petr Pavel has announced that on Monday he will meet with the leaders of all five government coalition parties to address the current coalition crisis. This follows Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s recent decision to sack Ivan Bartoš, the Minister of Regional Development and Digitization, and leader of the minority coalition partner Pirates party. Pavel told the press that he wants to ensure stability in the Czech Republic and discuss the government's composition and handling of digitization. 

The Bulovka University Hospital in Prague has announced the final amount of compensation paid to a victim of medical malpractice that occurred in March last year.  A healthy woman came to Bulovka University Hospital for a routine check-up on the baby she had been carrying. However, she was mistaken as being another patient who was due for an abortion. The total compensation paid was CZK 2.3 million for mental suffering, loss of earnings, funeral costs, and storage of human remains.

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows an increase in addiction to social media and computer games among 11-year-old children in the Czech Republic. Last year, half of 11- to 15-year-olds were active social media users, with 8 percent at risk of addiction. The use of social media and computer games increased significantly after Covid-19 lockdowns, the WHO says, with 22 percent of 11-year-olds in Czechia spending four or more hours a day playing video games.

According to a new regulation approved by the Czech government, tolls for trucks over 3.5 tons will increase by up to 5 percent from January next year. This is to increase income for the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure and encourage the use of low CO2 emission vehicles. The increase will only apply to the fourth component of the toll, which covers the cost of CO2 emissions. Bus and electric car toll rates will remain unchanged. The Ministry of Transport expects an additional CZK 800 million in revenue from the increase.

Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka announced Wednesday that officials at building authorities will soon be able to return to pre-digitization systems, such as Vita, to speed up construction permits. Work on the new digitized system, launched in July, will continue, with a plan to integrate the builder’s portal. Kupka will present a revised digitization strategy to the government by Oct. 16.

Czech President Petr Pavel urged China to use its close ties with Russia to help end the war in Ukraine during his address to the UN Security Council. As a global power and permanent Security Council member, Pavel emphasized that China must promote peace and stability. He also called for reforming the Council to make it more inclusive and effective, citing Russia's war in Ukraine as evidence of the need for structural change. The president will visit Chicago today. See the full speech below.

In a recent poll by The Athletic, NHL players ranked Prague as a top destination for potential international expansion, with 21 percent supporting the idea. Only London, at 27 percent, garnered more votes. Although NHL expansion to Europe remains a long-term prospect, Prague’s appeal highlights its growing importance in the global hockey community. The upcoming NHL season will start with two games in Prague’s O2 arena. On October 4, New Jersey and Buffalo will meet in a rematch the day after.

The Czech National Bank (CNB) reduced its base interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25 percent, the lowest since February 2022. The decision aligns with market expectations as inflation nears the bank’s 2 percent target. Governor Aleš Michl emphasized the fight against inflation continues, especially in the service sector. Analysts noted the rate cut's limited impact on the Czech crown and predicted mortgage rates won't drop immediately due to ongoing market demand.

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the Czech Republic will experience cloudy, overcast weather with rain and showers in the coming days. Temperatures may reach 22°C today and Friday, but a weekend cold front will bring cooler weather, with highs of 16°C and potential ground frost at night. Rain is expected through Saturday, tapering off by evening. Next week, autumn-like conditions will continue, with temperatures below 20°C.

Experts emphasize that flu is a severe illness, urging everyone, not just seniors or those with chronic conditions, to get vaccinated. Cardiologist Zorjan Jojko highlighted the risk of heart inflammation (myocarditis) from flu, a potentially life-threatening condition. Jan Kynčl from the State Health Institute noted that flu complications lead to 1,500 deaths annually in Czechia. Vaccination can prevent severe outcomes, with effectiveness at 60-80 percent. Vaccinations are recommended from October to December.