Weekly news recap: Whooping cough woes, political drama, and a shoe-riffic save

Former Czech President Miloš Zeman, 79, underwent surgery on Thursday at Prague’s Motol Hospital due to a critical blood clot in his leg, hospital officials announced. Zeman’s condition is severe but stable, and the former president faces a hospital stay of an undetermined time period. Further updates should be provided on Monday. Zeman’s complications stem from a sudden lack of blood flow, exacerbated by diabetes. His ongoing health struggles, including neuropathy, were exacerbated after the 2021 general election, leading to a 48-day hospitalization. Zeman began to use a wheelchair in 2021.

Czechia seems caught in a never-ending cough fest, with whooping cough cases skyrocketing to over 2,700 this year alone. The bacterial bug is particularly dangerous for children and the elderly, leading Prague’s health department to mandate (in a since-deleted press release) that only vaccinated students can attend classes during a whooping cough outbreak; public health officials later confirmed that unvaccinated children will not be excluded from classes. Meanwhile, Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, raised eyebrows by attending a council meeting sans mask following a pertussis diagnosis. Amidst the chaos, Deputy Health Minister Josef Pavlovic promised 70,000 vaccine doses from the UK.

Czech opposition leader Andrej Babiš found himself in hot water after an email faux pas revealed his cloak-and-dagger attempts to dig up dirt on Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. In a classic case of hitting "send" too soon, Babiš accidentally outed his snooping to the wrong recipient. Critics drew parallels to communist-era tactics, leaving Babiš scrambling to explain himself while throwing shade at the government’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Coalition leaders are preparing for an emergency summit next week to handle the scandal.

Once on the brink of extinction, iconic Czech sneaker brand Botas notched up an impressive 12,000 pairs sold last year, raking in about CZK 30 million. Eyeing a CZK 60 million turnover in 2024, the brand unveiled five new collections, its first apparel line, and plans for a flagship Prague store. Vít Staněk, co-owner, credited Botas Classic tricolors for the surge, noting their blend of nostalgia and modern flair. Successfully bridging generational gaps, Botas is gaining traction with younger buyers. Celebrating its revival under new ownership, Botas aims to honor Czech shoemaking traditions while securing its spot in the footwear market.

The Czech Republic celebrated a quarter-century in NATO on March 12 with the roar of military planes soaring over Prague and a visit from a former U.S. president. The airborne spectacle, featuring Czech and German jets, served as a grand aerial salute to the nation’s NATO entry in 1999. As politicians gathered at Prague Castle for a conference fittingly titled "Our Security Isn’t a Given," former U.S. President Bill Clinton added a dash of star power to the proceedings. Clinton spoke at the conference, picked up honors from Czech President Petr Pavel, and returned to Prague's Reduta Jazz Club, where he famously played his sax during a 1994 visit.