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Police investigators from Prague’s extremism and terrorism unit have asked the Czech parliament to lift the immunity of the opposition right-wing SPD Party leader Tomio Okamura. He is suspected of inciting hatred and restricting rights through a controversial billboard campaign last year. The police request was sent to the lower house this morning, according to spokesperson Jan Daněk. The billboard, displayed in Prague before regional elections, featured an image of a dark-skinned man with a bloody knife, sparking accusations of racism. Okamura has yet to respond, while parliament awaits formal receipt of the request.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has no information suggesting that Czech citizens were affected by the earthquake in Nepal and Tibet, spokesperson Daniel Drake told the Czech Press Agency (ČTK). Sixteen Czechs are registered in Nepal and 71 in China through the travel system Drozd. The earthquake, measuring 6.8 according to Chinese authorities and 7.1 by USGS, left 95 dead and 130 injured in China. The embassy in Beijing remains in contact with local authorities, but no foreign casualties have been reported. Similar steps were taken by the Czech embassy in Delhi, Drake confirmed.
Igor Stříž, the Czech Republic's top prosecutor, has resigned and will leave his position on March 31. Stříž submitted his resignation to Justice Minister Pavel Blažek, citing personal and family reasons. The Czech Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed the news, with Stříž expected to address the decision at a press briefing. Blažek thanked Stříž for his service and announced plans to nominate a successor by April 1. Stříž has held the role since July 2021, with a term originally set to last until 2028. He was frequently criticized for being a member of the Communist Party and a military prosecutor before 1989.
Banks and building societies in Czechia provided an estimated 305 billion CZK in housing loans last year, up by 135 billion from 2023. Mortgage volumes reached 256 billion CZK, compared to 137 billion the previous year. Loans from building savings increased by 16 billion to 49 billion CZK, according to Martin Vašek, CEO of Hypoteční banka and ČSOB stavební spořitelna. “The housing market had a successful year as the Czech economy rebounded, wages grew, and lower mortgage rates boosted demand,” Vašek said. Over half of ČSOB’s mortgages were taken by clients under 36.
The Czech Republic’s foreign trade surplus in November reached 23.6 billion CZK, down by 4.2 billion year-on-year. While trade in automobiles positively influenced the balance, trade in metal products and machinery had a negative impact, according to preliminary results from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ). Exports rose by 4.4% to 424.5 billion CZK, while imports grew by 5.8% to 400.9 billion CZK. "Imports continued to grow faster than exports in November," said Jana Mazánková of ČSÚ, noting significant increases in imports of metal and food products, primarily from Germany, Slovakia, and China.
The deputy mayor of the Ostrava district of Moravská Ostrava and Přívoz, Alena Pataky from the ANO party has resigned from office amid widespread criticism of her openly racist remarks about the Roma minority. In an interview for the regional news site Okraj.cz she said, among other things, that Romany people are "genetically equipped in a completely different way" and "do not have any ambition to educate themselves." Pataky herself was in charge of the education and culture portfolio in the respective district and was commenting on the situation in local primary schools. Mayor Petr Veselka will temporarily take over her responsibilities until the council elects a new deputy mayor.
The parties of the Stačilo! grouping, which cooperated in last year’s elections to the European Parliament, will sign a memorandum on cooperation in this year's parliamentary elections, Communist Party spokesperson Roman Roun told the Czech Press Agency. He said the Social Democrats were as yet undecided as to whether to join forces with Stacilo! in the general elections. The document will be signed on January 15th, by representatives of the Communist Party, the ČSNS (Czech National Social Party) and the SD-SN (United Democrats - Association of Independents). According to Roun, the election grouping will remain open to any other “left-wing, patriotic-minded entities” who wish to join its ranks.
Owners of small pharmacies in Czechia plan to sue the state, citing distributors’ refusal or delays in delivering essential medicines. Despite having the drugs in stock, distributors allegedly refuse to supply them or demand high delivery fees. Pharmacists argue that the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) fails to enforce distribution obligations. "We can’t secure the drug within two days, and the situation is unbearable," said Marek Hampel, head of the pharmacy owners' association. The pharmacies’ legal action targets individual cases of delayed deliveries, highlighting ongoing supply chain issues.
Most of Czechia will experience snow or sleet on Wednesday, with temperatures ranging from 0 to 4°C, with around -2°C at 1000 meters in the mountains.
The first installment of the Czech video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance has sold more than six million copies globally. The highly anticipated sequel, which continues the story of Henry of Posázaví, is set to be released on February 4.
Starting January 1, joining the Czech Army requires less demanding fitness tests . Instead of traditional push-ups and treadmill exercises, recruits now throw medicine balls and perform five-kilo squats. The goal is to attract more candidates, especially IT specialists and other professionals.
If you’ve been to Prague in recent years, chances are high that you’ve encountered the work of Pavel Fuksa. The graphic designer is behind a series of official posters welcoming visitors to the city – and encouraging them to be on good behaviour. Fuksa, who is 42, has in the past worked for several of the world’s largest brands, including Nike, Facebook and Lego. What’s more, he is deeply interested in football, so when we met in the downtown area I also spoke with him about which Prague club has had the most visually impressive strip, and when.
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