News in brief for Oct. 15: Top headlines for Czechia on Sunday

Night and morning frosts are set to sweep the Czech Republic over the coming days, posing a threat to vegetables. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) issued a warning that ground frosts could damage heat-sensitive vegetables and may also impact corn. This warning applies to areas up to 500 meters above sea level from Monday to Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to plunge to minus four degrees Celsius. The ČHMÚ suggests covering vegetables with non-woven fabric until the frost subsides. Today's highest temperatures will drop by over ten degrees Celsius, with snowfall expected in mountainous regions.

The average price per square meter for older apartments and family houses in the Czech Republic fell in the third quarter. Older apartments saw a quarterly decrease of roughly 3,000 crowns, bringing the average price to CZK 83,958 per square meter, while family houses dropped by CZK 2,500 to an average of CZK 51,000 per square meter.

In Prague, apartment prices slightly rose, with an average price of CZK 117,500 per square meter, but for the first time, family houses in the capital exceeded CZK 100,000 per square meter on average. The slowdown in prices is considered positive for buyers, creating room for negotiation. Stagnation is also noted as a positive development in the housing market.

Dozens of police officers, including members of the anti-conflict team, will guard a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Prague today. The demonstration, organized by the civil initiative 'Not in our name! - Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East,' criticizes Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip following attacks by Hamas militants.

Prague authorities have assessed the event as risky, and officials will be on hand to dissolve it if necessary. The organizers are calling for a bilateral ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and a fair arrangement between Israel and Palestine. The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. at Wenceslas Square.

Czech beach volleyball pair Ondřej Perušič and David Schweiner have secured a spot in the Beach Volleyball World Championship finals. They triumphed in the semi-finals by defeating the American duo of Trevor Crabb and Theodore Brunner, with a score of 21-15 and 21-12 in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

In the final, they will face the Swedish team of David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig. This achievement marks the best-ever result for the Czech Republic at the World Cup. The Czechs previously defeated the defending champions and top-ranked team from Norway in the quarter-finals to reach this stage.

Czechs are set to embrace the great outdoors and mountain getaways this autumn holiday season, which runs from October 26 to October 29, according to Václav Starek, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Czech Republic. Local hoteliers are anticipating a busy holiday season compared to last year.

The economic situation is driving travelers to save, with price outweighing luxury for many travelers. Poland has seen a surge in interest, especially in the Krkonoše Mountains, and autumn holidays constitute a substantial part of orders for many providers. Overall, there's growing demand for fall vacations, including distant destinations.

Czech tennis player Marie Bouzková clinched her second doubles title in a row at the Korea Open in Seoul, partnering with American Bethania Mattek-Sands to defeat the Thai duo of Luksika Kumkchum and Peangtarn Plipuech 6-2, 6-1. They sealed the victory in one hour and ten minutes.

Bouzková won her fifth WTA doubles title in Seoul and second in a row, continuing her recent success at the China Open in Beijing last week. In the singles category, world number four American Jessica Pegula claimed her fourth career title by defeating China's Yuan Jue 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the same tournament in Seoul.

Czech hockey stars David Pastrňák and David Krejčí have earned their place in the prestigious Boston Bruins All-Centennial Team. This selection, composed of the club's most iconic players over the past 100 years, also includes legendary hockey greats like Bobby Orr and Zdeno Chára.

Pastrňák and current captain Brad Marchand are the only current Bruins players to achieve this honor. The committee responsible for this selection included journalists, historians, and fans. These two players have made significant contributions to the club, with Pastrňák even sharing the Maurice Richard Trophy for the league's top scorer in 2020.

Czechoslovakia, despite its interruptions in 1939, 1945, and 1948, remains a vital part of Central Europe's democratic heritage, says historian Jan Květina in an interview with Czech News Agency. The nation's historical value is undeniable, with its concept of Czechs and Slovaks as one nation being a strategic move to present Czechoslovakia as a nation state.

However, Květina points out the complexities of this concept, especially given the region's overlapping ethnic groups. While Western Europe's nation states formed within existing state borders united by language, history, and territory, Central and Eastern European states faced unique challenges in defining their nationhood.

Czech beach volleyball duo Ondřej Perušič and David Schweiner secured a spot in the World Championship semi-finals after defeating reigning champions Anders Mol and Christian Sörum of Norway. It was the first time Perušič and Schweiner overcame the Norwegian pair in a major tournament.

The Czech players secured their victory with a tie-break set and are now vying for medals in the competition. They will face American team Trevor Crabb and Theodore Brunner in the semi-finals on Sunday, hoping to continue their remarkable performance and secure a place in the final.

Over 130 varieties of honey from 82 beekeepers across the Czech Republic are on display at Old Town Hall in Brno this weekend. The national honey exhibition includes the Honey of the Year competition, with category winners announced by expert judges. Attendees can sample all 135 honeys, evaluated by the jury, either independently or during guided tastings.

The honey season this year faced challenges from high summer temperatures and the bark beetle calamity. Visitors can savor the competition honey throughout the weekend, with free entry to the exhibition.

The Czech Republic has come together to support Israel after it was targeted by Palestinian Hamas militants. Over CZK 800,000 has been raised in just five days to help the victims of the attack, with the funds earmarked for the reconstruction of the damaged kibbutz Be'eri.

The Red Cross and the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic are also planning collections, while Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross have condemned the violence and are assisting those affected by the conflict.