Czech morning news in brief: top headlines for June 18, 2021

All Czech towns monitored within the European cities' air quality ratings by the European Environment Agency (EEA) placed in the lower half among 323 towns in terms of the concentration of fine dust particles in the air in the last two years, new data show. The Czech capital Prague comes 203rd, closely trailing Vienna, with 12.4 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter. In general, the quality of air is the best in Scandinavian towns; the eastern part of the EU fares worse particularly in Poland. The EEA bases its assessments on the WHO recommendation that the long-term dust particle burden should not exceed 10 micrograms per cubic meter. All Czech towns show below average results. Pilsen finished 162nd with a dust particles concentration of around 11 micrograms per cubic meter; Ostrava fared worst at 279th with concentrations of 19.6 micrograms. Out of European cities with more than one million inhabitants, air quality is best in Stockholm.

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Ondrej Kolar, the mayor of Prague 6, will replace former lawmaker Dominik Feri (TOP 09) on the Prague list of candidates of the opposition Together party in the October general election, the party's executive council decided Thursday. Feri recently resigned from the Chamber of Deputies and left TOP 09 after several women accused him of sexual violence and harassment. He apologized for his misconduct in some situations but denied any sexual violence. The police are dealing with the case. The Prague list of candidates of Together is headed by TOP 09 leader Marketa Pekarova Adamova Adamova for not bowing to pressure from Russia after Prague 6 town hall decided to remove the statue of Soviet Marshal Konev from its prominent square provoking controversy and angering Russia. Kolar had to have police protection at the time.

In five years, a modern oncology center could be built in Prague for CZK 7 billion, which would advance the treatment and prevention of cancer in the Czech Republic. The plan is supported by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch, however, some oncologists point out that there will be a lack of experts in the regions due to the establishment of a Prague center. Opponents say the money should rather be invested in existing oncology centers, new equipment, or operating theaters. Babiš supports the construction of the modern National Oncology Institute which should be established on the premises of the Royal Vinohrady University Hospital. Several oncologists have said that no one consulted the Czech Oncological Society with the regard to the center's construction.

Czech singer Ewa Farna (27) appeared on the big screen in New York's Times Square with her song "Body" (Tělo). The Spotify ad is part of a campaign to promote a series of playlists with songs by more than fifty artists from around the world. The streaming platform's initiative aims to fight for the equality of women in the music business. "Time Square, New York, right now! So now I'm officially as big as a barracks. This XXL size is quite flattering to me," the singer wrote in an Instagram post this week. The screen, the most sought-after advertising space in Manhattan, costs approximately three million dollars to lease per month (CZK 63 million).

The Czech capital will start building its metro line D. The first section of the route to be built will run from Pankrác to Nové Dvory. The costs should be around CZK 52.09 billion, however, the exact date of the start of construction is not yet clear. City officials deputies also approved a guarantee of financing the construction of the line which they want to obtain from banks and the state. The capital will not finance the construction but will guarantee the financial coverage of the construction for the transport company. Negotiations with banks and other financial institutions should take about a year.

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