The Daily Dozen: 12 things to know about Czechia today

Ukraine | The Ukrainian consulate in Brno was one of several in Europe to receive a package containing animal eyes, iDnes reports. Due to suspicions that the package could contain explosives, local police evicted both the Brno consulate and a nearby kindergarten.

Spokesman Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Facebook that liquid-soaked packages with a distinct color and smell were sent to the Ukrainian embassies in Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia and Italy, as well as consulates in Naples and Kraków.

Georgia | The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Czech ambassador to the country, Petr Mikyska, over the latter's statements that, despite EU sanctions on Moscow, part of the goods exported from the Czech Republic to Georgia end up in Russia, ČTK reports. Tbilisi said the statement was not true and detrimental to the reputation of Georgia and Georgian-Czech relations.

New fast-food chain | A new fast-food company is coming to the Czech Republic next year, Aktuálně.cz reports. Founded in 1972 in the U.S. state of Louisiana, Popeyes sells New Orleans-style fast food, such as spicy chicken, chicken legs, fried shrimp, and other regional products. At this moment, Popeyes operates in 30 countries. In the Czech Republic, the fast food chain with the highest amount of venues is KFC, with 114 restaurants. 

Less hospital time | Department of Health head Vlastimil Válek announced that the Ministry of Health has selected 200 procedures to be transformed into one-day surgeries, Lidovky.cz reports. This will reduce the number of hospital beds in Czechia, which earned the country the seventh spot in a ranking from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; as well as waiting times for surgeries, and nosocomial infections, Válek added.

High recognition | Botanist and ecologist Petr Pyšek received the highest Czech scientific award Česká hlava today for his work on invasive ecology, a field that he is one of the founders of, ČTK reports. Other recipients of awards for their scientific achievements were Alžběta Dostálková for studying retroviruses and Ilona Hromadníková for a method of predicting complications during pregnancy caused by high blood pressure.

Deadly viruses | The State Vetinerary Administration in the Czech Republic confirmed yesterday two separate cases of serious animal diseases, namely African swine fever and bird flu. The sites of detection are currently being monitored and there is no reason for undue alarm. Read more.

Holiday cheer | While Christmas markets across Prague officially opened on Saturday, decorations in the Czech capital are not limited to stationary objects. Some trams, buses, and even garbage trucks in Prague have been decked in lights for the festive period. Read more here.

Snow and ice warnings | A snow warning will be in effect from 5 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday in the west and south-west of Bohemia. The areas are expected to see between 2 and 8 centimeters of snow, iDnes reports, citing the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). The western part of Czechia will see an ice warning from 6 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday.

Remember Austerlitz | Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 4, the Slavkov battlefield in South Moravia, better known as Austerlitz, will host the reenactment of one of the most important battles of the Napoleonic wars, according to CzechTourism. The reenactment of the Battle of Three Emperors is expected to attract around 1,000 participants from 14 countries of the world, as well as 50 horses and 12 cannons.