News in brief for Oct. 10: Top headlines for Tuesday in Czechia

The Czech crown weakened against the euro to the weakest levels in the past year, following the release of September inflation data. As of today, the EUR/CZK exchange rate was 1/24.59. Also today, the USD/CZK exchange rate was 1/23.20.

The crown lost 13 pennies against Monday's evening rates for euros, closing weaker for the first time since October last year. Analysts attribute the weakening to the sharp decline in inflation from 7.5 percent in August to 6.9 percent in September. According to Jaroslav Tupý, an analyst at Purple Trading, there is now an increased likelihood of the Czech National Bank lowering the base interest rate this year.

Tickets for all matches of the Czech hockey players in the 2024 World Championship group in Prague, which went on sale today, sold out in 90 minutes. Approximately 90,000 users entered the ticket system. Additional tickets will be released for sale.

The matches are divided into price categories. Over 92,000 tickets, which is 20 percent of the arena capacity, were purchased in advance. The previous Championship in 2015 also had high ticket demand. This time, there were no technical problems with the ticket sale.

Prague Zoo announced today on Instagram that its resident Pepino the iguana, who was the oldest Cuban iguana in the world, died at age 31.5 years. The reptile leaves behind 244 offspring, which he produced during his life in Prague; he was the founder of the local Cuban iguana breeding program.

Pepino also left its mark on the zoo's Walk of Fame, which is located on the main entrance, and which bears its footprint.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told ČTK that the conditions for relocating the Czech embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem are not currently met. He claims that such a move would violate international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, and would be contrary to the European Union's unified position.

Lipavský also believes that in the current security climate, it would not be wise for the Czech Republic to draw attention to itself by taking a drastic step in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Consumer prices in the Czech Republic grew by 6.9 percent year on year in September, slowing down from 8.5 percent year on year in August. This marks the eighth consecutive month of deceleration, with the lowest inflation rate since December 2021.

However, the numbers remain well above the Czech National Bank's 2 percent target. The Czech Statistical Office reported that housing costs had the biggest impact on the price level increase, followed by food, recreational activities, and education. Meanwhile, export prices declined by 5.2 percent year on year in August, while import prices accelerated to 12.8 percent year on year.

Up to 40 percent of ninth-grade students in Czech elementary schools show signs of depression, while 30 percent display symptoms of anxiety, according to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ). The study, conducted among over 6,000 students, revealed that girls are more affected than boys.

The institute emphasizes the need for prevention measures. NUDZ director Petr Winkler stresses the importance of timely intervention during childhood and adolescence, as most mental illnesses arise during this period. The survey results will be used to create a mental health monitoring platform and will be shared with the academic community.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala supports moving the country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem but wants to discuss the specifics with coalition partners first. He laid flowers at a memorial for Israeli victims and says Czech support for Israel is important, especially now. The PM and others have long backed the embassy relocation while the Foreign Minister has said the government hasn't decided yet.

The opposition ANO movement urged the Cabinet to take steps to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to support Israel. A proposal on the topic could be debated in parliament on Tuesday.

The Popeyes chain is set to make its debut in the Czech Republic by opening a restaurant on Wenceslas Square in November. On Nov. 3, the American fast-food chain will mark its entry into the country by opening its inaugural domestic branch in Dům módy on Wenceslas Square.

In the coming months, the chain intends to launch two additional branches, one of which will be situated in Brno and adopt the form of a drive-thru restaurant near Prague. Popeyes, renowned for its Louisiana cuisine, is expected to generate employment opportunities, providing jobs for dozens of individuals.

A survey by the European Commission found that events like the pandemic, war in Ukraine, and climate change have impacted the mental health of 62 percent of EU residents.

In the Czech Republic, 67 percent reported effects on their well-being. While 46 percent of Europeans struggled with emotional problems in the past year, 54 percent received no professional help. The EC is calling for improved access to quality mental healthcare. Oct. 10 marks World Mental Health Day.

Analysts say the conflict in the Middle East could weaken the Czech crown and push up fuel costs. The crown has declined against the dollar and could fall further from geopolitical tensions, while unrest in the region typically pushes up oil prices. However, the impacts will depend on conflict developments.

Higher energy costs could feed domestic inflation, but increases so far are not dramatic. Any expansion of international conflicts could drive the dollar higher along with oil above USD 100 per barrel. Israel is an important trade partner though effects on Czech firms may be limited unless violence spreads wider.

Prague officials, including Deputy Justice Minister Antonin Stanislav, lower house subcommittee leader Tatiana Mala, and government's human rights commissioner Klara Simackova Laurencikova, announced that the sex offender registry in the Czech Republic will encompass previously convicted offenders.

Automatic inclusion in the registry will occur for severe offenses like child rape, while less serious crimes against children will be subject to registration through a 'protective order' determined by the courts. The aim is to implement the law by Jan. 1, 2025, despite initial disagreements over retroactive inclusion.