The Daily Dozen: 12 things to know about Czechia today

Anti-government protest|Hundreds of people took to the streets of Prague on Saturday afternoon in a protest organized by the Prague First movement, Czech Radio reports. In addition to asking for the resignation of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the speakers told participants not to vote for presidential candidate Petr Pavel in the upcoming polls.

Presidential debate|Presidential candidate Andrej Babiš said he would "naturally observe" Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective defense if a NATO member state was attacked, correcting his words that he would not send Czech troops to help Poland or the Baltic States if they were attacked. Read more in our story.

Czech companies|New analysis shows that 13,900 companies were formed in Czechia last year. A report by the Czech Credit Bureau (CRIF) found that 1,500 fewer new businesses opened last year than in 2021 but 2,800 more than in 2020. According to experts, uncertain economic conditions were behind the drop. Read more in our story.

Fly to Korea|Direct connections between Václav Havel Airport Prague and Seoul restart on March 27, according to a press release. Direct flights were suspended in March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, more than 190,000 traveled between Prague and Seoul. The flights, operated by Korean Air, will take place three times a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Noise pollution|The municipality of Prague 20 hopes to adopt anti-noise measures as soon as possible, after complaints from local residents about noise coming from the Prague Ring Road, according to ČTK. Prague 20 Mayor Petr Měšťan said that, while people support the Ring Road construction, they also want "compensatory measures" for residents of the municipal district of Horní Počernice, which runs alongside it.

Snow and freezing temperatures|Daily highs this week will stay around 0 degrees Celsius, while the lows will drop to minus nine degrees Celsius, ČTK reports, citing a forecast from Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). Snowfall will return to the Czech Republic toward the end of the week, with considerable amounts of snow expected for Saturday.

Swarovski founder|On Jan. 23, 1956, artistic glassblower Daniel Swarovski died. Born in Jiřetín pod Bukovou, Swarovski’s goal was to create “a diamond for everyone.” To that aim, he invented a crystal-cutting machine that enabled previously unseen precision and founded the Swarovski company, which specialized in jewelry production, in 1895. The company nowadays is present in over 170 countries worldwide.

T-shirt hunt|The Czech Ministry of Interior announced a treasure hunt on Twitter for 10 T-shirts scattered across Prague in places associated with former Czech President Václav Havel. Keep an eye out for blue bags with the @vnitro logo, which contain the 2023-presidential-election-themed T-shirts.

Czech video game|Last Holiday, a new Czech-made video game set to release on Steam later this year, takes gamers back to rural Bohemia in the year 2000. Developed over the past three years by startup studio Boomer Games, the game proudly bills itself as a "redneck simulator," and leaves no Czech village stereotype untouched. Read more in our story.