Czech news in brief for March 2: Monday's top afternoon headlines

The government will not raise the terrorism threat level due to the conflict in the Middle East, Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar said after today’s cabinet meeting. Police presence will however be increased in the streets and at sensitive locations. The Czech system of terrorism threat has four levels, A to D (D being the most critical), and will remain at the B level of “moderate threat” for the time being.

Operations of Prague’s metro line C fully resumed shortly after noon after a woman was hit by an incoming train at the Hlavní nádraží at around 10.30 am. Metro connections between Pražského povstání and Florenc were temporarily replaced by strengthened bus and tram services. “A woman apparently jumped under an incoming train and died on the spot”, a police spokesman told iDNES.cz.

Analysts have warned that the price of gasoline and diesel in Czech gas stations may increase by several crowns per liter in the coming days. The war in Iran and wider Persian Gulf region have already caused global oil prices to shoot upwards. Depending on the scale and length of the conflict, higher fuel prices may also impact Czech industrial production, overall inflation and household consumption.

Prague wants to shed its reputation as a destination known for its cheap beer and stag parties, and aims to attract “older, more affluent tourists interested in culture and history”, said Jana Adamcová from Prague Tourism in a wide-ranging interview with Seznam Zprávy. A higher tourist tax, tighter regulation of short-term rentals, and promotion of less central districts should be considered to reach that goal, she argues.

The new director of the Prague Zoo Lenka Poliaková has taken office promising a focus on increased cooperation and better relations with the staff. She becomes the first woman to lead one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Czech capital, visited by 1.45 million people last year. She replaces former director Miroslav Bobek, who resigned last year after some employees accused him of bullying behavior and practices.