Czech news in brief for June 11: Thursday's top morning headlines

He expressed his deep gratitude to Czech doctors, the Czech government and the Czech people. He said he would like to come back to Prague with his family and would "love to see the people who took care of me without a piece of plastic in between us." He also learned a little Czech. The American doctor quarantined in a biobox at Prague's Bulovka hospital, has been discharged.

Also: World Cup games are kicking off and we've compiled a comprehensive guide to where to watch in Prague. For more top stories this Thursday morning, here's your headline mix.

American missionary doctor Patrick LaRochelle has been discharged from Prague's Bulovka University Hospital and is flying to the United States today. LaRochelle spent 21 days in a specialized biobox after being evacuated to Prague from the Democratic Republic of Congo following potential exposure to the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola. The Czech government facilitated his transfer at the request of the United States. He remained entirely asymptomatic throughout the quarantine period.

Some context: The latest Ebola outbreak in the Congo was caused by the Bundibugyo variant, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Because of this, health authorities must rely heavily on strict contact tracing, isolation of patients, and strict hygiene measures to limit the spread.

Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna is demanding an increase in defense department spending to two percent of gross domestic product next year. Zůna stated that spending should rise to CZK 190 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of CZK 35 billion. Defense is slated to manage with CZK 154.79 billion this year, which corresponds to less than 1.8 percent of gross domestic product and represents a decrease of more than CZK 16 billion compared to last year.

Worth noting: The annual budget increase will be complicated by intense pressure on the state budget, though the defense ministry intends to continue with its acquisitions of Leopard tanks and F35 fighter jets. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš previously noted that Czechia will likely fail to meet its two percent NATO commitment this year.

Czechia has joined 21 countries in signing a joint declaration released by the British government that condemns threats and recent attacks in Europe. The declaration targets malignant actions orchestrated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Ministry of Intelligence against journalists, dissidents, and Jewish communities. The text was signed by 18 European states alongside the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The signatory nations stated they are resolved to undertake further collective measures to halt these activities.

The bigger picture: Signatory states highlighted a long history of ties between Iranian security forces and international and local criminal groups. The declaration notes that attempts to kill, kidnap, harass, or attack people on European soil undermine national sovereignty and international norms.

The pace of consumer price growth in Czechia slowed down during the month of May. Year-on-year inflation dropped to 2.1 percent from the 2.5 percent recorded in April, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Food prices drove the deceleration, dropping by about two percent compared to the same period last year. Analysts note that consumer prices may increase slightly by the end of the year and could potentially rise above the three percent tolerance band of the Czech National Bank.

By the numbers: Flour prices fell by nearly 11 percent year-on-year in May, butter prices dropped by almost a quarter, and potatoes became 20 percent cheaper. Conversely, fuel prices jumped by more than 26 percent compared to last year, which prevented a more significant overall slowdown in inflation.

Prague police strongly recommend that passengers traveling to Václav Havel Airport use public transport to avoid severe traffic complications. Extensive construction on a new multi-level interchange at the Aviatická and Lipská intersection has caused major lane restrictions and closures. Drivers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes, and multi-kilometer queues have already formed during peak travel windows.

What to expect: Traffic is critical on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the morning and from 2 p.m. .to 4 p.m. in the afternoon, while airport campaign data marks peak delays from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Travelers should utilize the trolleybus from Nádraží Veleslavín, which runs on routes completely unaffected by the closures. Road restrcitions run through Oct. 27.

Czech drivers think they're perfect, data says otherwise A new European survey has some uncomfortable findings for Czech motorists. Four in ten admit to swearing at other drivers, one in five tailgates, and one in eight has stopped to settle a dispute in person, yet 99 percent describe themselves as careful and considerate behind the wheel. Experts blame chronic infrastructure frustration and the anonymity of the car.

Zdena Mašinová, last of the Mašin family, dies at 92 The daughter of wartime resistance hero General Josef Mašin and sister of the Mašin brothers passed away yesterday. Persecuted by the communist regime for her family's activities, she spent decades fighting for her family's rehabilitation and was the driving force behind the Memorial to the Three Resistance Movements, which opened in Losany in 2022. President Pavel awarded her the Order of T. G. Masaryk in 2023.

The World Cup starts tonight: Here's where to watch in Prague The tournament kicks off this evening and for the first time in 20 years, Czech fans have their own team in it. The catch: most matches run between midnight and 6 a.m. Prague time. A handful of bars, including Meat Beer, Guilty Pleasure Diner, and McCarthy's, are opening through the night, some with breakfast menus, some requiring advance bookings. See full overview of venues and watch parties here.