News in brief for Oct. 12: Top headlines in Czechia for Thursday

Heating plants in the Czech Republic will begin the heating season soon, once temperatures are expected to drop. Most will start after the weekend, as average daily temperatures are forecast to drop below 10 degrees Celsius. The season started later this year compared to previous years when it typically began in mid-September.

The Heating Association of the Czech Republic stated that heat prices will be affected by commodities. The government recently canceled approved support for heating plants, which may result in increased prices for customers. So far this year, heat consumption in Czechia is almost seven percent lower than in 2022, according to statistics from the Energy Regulatory Office.

The Brno Regional Court has released Jaroslav Dobeš and his assistant Barbora Plášková, who were convicted of rape, from prison. Dobeš, also known as Guru Jára, was serving his five-year-and-a-half sentence in the Bory prison in Plzen; Plášková served her five-year sentence in the same prison. The court counted the time spent in detention in the Philippines as part of their prison sentences.

Dobeš, the founder of the Poetrie esoteric school, was on the run since 2012 and was wanted by Interpol. The prosecution in this case was launched in 2012 and Czech courts have been dealing with it since 2014.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala plans to relocate the Czech Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a few months as a symbolic step. Despite reservations from Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Fiala believes the move would be a show of unequivocal support for Israel, especially after the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas.

Fiala acknowledges that it would be ideal for more countries to make the move simultaneously. Lipavský argues that the move goes against international law and the EU's unified position. Some Czech politicians and diplomats also oppose the speedy transfer, emphasizing the need for unity in supporting Israel.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský will summon the Russian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Alexander Zmejevsky, in response to the recent attack on civilians in the Ukrainian village of Hroza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this, stating that Lipavský decided to summon the ambassador due to the barbaric attack on civilians.

This is not the first time Lipavský has summoned the Russian ambassador, as he previously did so last October to address violations of international law and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories.

The municipal police in Prague is conducting a four-day traffic safety event focusing on the operation of electric scooters and bicycles. The event aims to increase safety and address complaints about reckless behavior by scooter users. At least 64 police officers are involved in the event, which will take place from Oct. 12 to 15.

Common offenses include riding on sidewalks, not respecting traffic signs, and riding in pairs or under the influence of alcohol. A similar inspection in the summer resulted in 1,336 violations and 402 fines imposed.

Above-average temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius will last in the Czech Republic until Saturday, with noticeable cooling and showers on Sunday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). Daily temperatures will drop from 23 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday to 12 degrees on Sunday, and 10 degrees on Monday.

Thunderstorms are expected on Saturday and snow in the mountains on Sunday. Next week, ground freezing is expected at night in some places. The warm spell has been breaking temperature records across Czechia, with records for Oct. 11 falling at 78 of the roughly 160 stations that are at least 30 years old.

American traveler Mario Busby has been missing in the Czech Republic since missing his flight, and expected arrival home to Buffalo, NY, on Tuesday night. According to his family, the young man was last seen at the Ramada by Wyndham Prague Airport on Oct. 9 and possibly earlier that day seeking help at a police station.

The family is sharing a missing persons flyer with Czech businesses, government agencies, and individuals, particularly in Prague and Brno. They are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact Mario's family via direct message on Facebook. The family said in a social media post that they have filed a missing persons report with the U.S. Embassy.

The Czech government has approved a family policy strategy for 2024-2030 aimed at addressing issues related to family and work-life balance, breaking down barriers influencing parental decisions, and crisis prevention. The strategy, led by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs under the People's Party, focuses on supporting families' stability, financial security, and demographic stability.

The plan includes extending parental leave, supporting caregivers, and expanding children's groups to encourage higher fertility rates. Although the Czech Republic has seen recent improvements in fertility, the government aims to further boost the birthrate, even as the weak '90s generation reaches childbearing age. Tax breaks, benefits, and services support the family policy.

King Charles III will bestow the Order of the British Empire on Otakar Fojt, the scientific attaché at the British Embassy in Prague. The announcement was made by Ambassador Matt Field on social network X (formerly Twitter). Fojt is being recognized for his enduring contributions to the realms of science and innovation.

"Fantastic news! His Majesty King Charles III. decided to award an Order of the British Empire (MBE) to my colleague [at the British Embassy] Dr. Otakar Fojt. He receives the order for his long-term contribution to science and innovation," Field wrote in the post.

A second plane carrying approximately 40 evacuated Czech citizens, including several children, arrived at Prague's Kbely military airport at 3:40 on Thursday morning. This follows the return of 34 Czechs on a previous flight with Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that three government special planes would be sent to Israel within 24 hours to evacuate Czech citizens stranded after Saturday's terrorist attacks by Palestinian radicals.

Some passengers learned of the repatriation flight on Wednesday morning, but details were initially unclear. The repatriation efforts aim to assist Czechs affected by the attacks in Israel, with special planes accommodating around 450 people. An emergency information line has been established for inquiries. Another flight from Israel is expected to land in Prague soon.

People in the Czech Republic will open the first bottles of this year's St. Martin's wine, made from this season's grapes, on Nov. 11. The Wine Fund, which owns the St. Martin's brand, has introduced a new rule for selling this wine through online stores. While people can order it starting from Nov. 9, deliveries can only be made on the following day, Nov. 10.

This change accommodates the fact that this year's St. Martin's Day falls on a Saturday when some e-shops can't deliver. St. Martin's wine is traditionally celebrated in the Czech Republic, and the wine's official designations will be decided by expert committees on Oct. 23 and Nov. 1.