The Daily Dozen: 12 things to know about Czechia today

Presidential agenda|President Petr Pavel published today the plan for his first 100 days in office, which highlights eight areas he wants to focus on. These include opening Prague Castle to the public, introducing regular media briefings, and regular meetings with the prime minister. Additionally, he wants to visit all the neighboring countries and Ukraine during that time period.

Czech bravery|The UK’s King Charles III on Thursday congratulated a former Czech pilot who served for the British Royal Air Force (RAF) on turning 100 years old. The king wrote a letter thanking Emil Boček for his service to the UK, and his display of “indomitable bravery, determination, and devotion.” Boček’s birthday was on Feb. 25. Read more in our article.

Catholic Church|Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner defended the late Pope John Paul II, saying the accusations that the pope when he was archbishop of Kraków covered up sexual abuse committed by priests did not take the broader context into consideration. Read more in our article.

University controversy|Students are calling for a senior university dean in Czechia, spotted at an anti-government protest last weekend, to be dismissed. The extra-parliamentary populist group who organized the rally demanded an investigation into the police who arrested some protestors. Read our explainer to understand what the controversy is about.

New look for Smíchov|The rail station in Smíchov will undergo a transformation to make it into a 21st-century transportation hub. The Railway Administration obtained a valid building permit to start work on the planned terminal this week. The Smíchov Terminal will be near the planned Smíchov City project, which will create a new neighborhood on the site of the former Smíchov freight station.

Prague history|Learn more about the Malá Strana district on an English-language walking tour on March 19. The tour, presented by the non-profit group Open House Praha, will highlight the most important moments in the history of the district and Bohemia through the stories of historical figures as well as famous houses.

Czech museums|While Prague has a rich and vibrant art scene, the rest of Czechia also boasts world-class museums and exhibitions, within easy reach of the Czech capital. Read our article to find out more about interesting art destinations.

Baby monkey|Prague Zoo announced today the birth of a baby De Brazza's monkey last week. According to breeder Jan Ťoupal, the infant holds on to his mother Anastasia's belly, "where it is almost constantly attached to her teat." Currently pink-skinned and monochrome-colored, the cub will need at least three years to develop a resemblance to his adult parents, which have dark skin, olive fur, a white beard, and an orange headband. 

Warmer weekend|The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute forecasts that daily highs around the country will rise above 10 degrees Celsius tomorrow. The weekend will bring with it warmer temperatures than Friday, with highs of up to 15 degrees Celsius expected to the east of the country. This trend will continue into next week, with highs predicted to hover around 17 degrees Celsius next Tuesday, and lows above freezing.