Czech news in brief for March 31: Tuesday's top morning headlines

The Czech Foreign Ministry will cut its contribution to Czech Radio’s foreign service, Radio Prague International, by a quarter from last year’s CZK 26.25 million, pending Foreign Minister Petr Macinka’s signature, director general René Zavoral said. He warned that the reduction will likely mean fewer services and job cuts. The ministry has suggested ending foreign broadcasts entirely next year, which would require a legal change. Radio Prague International celebrated 90 years recently.

The Czech Statistical Office will calculate the country’s average wage from all employees rather than a sample, starting next year. The change is enabled by the Unified Monthly Employers’ Report (JMHZ), which launches April 1. Employers will submit earnings, employment, and tax data electronically. Future reports, published monthly, will provide more detailed insights by profession, education, age, and gender.

Systemic regulation, such as automatic alcohol excise adjustments, sales restrictions, and advertising limits, could reduce high alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic, experts said on Monday. The Rational Addiction Policies think tank noted that Czechs drink 160 liters per person annually, contributing to 6,000–7,000 deaths a year. Measures including health warnings, earmarked tax revenues, and stricter sales control to minors are recommended to lower health, social, and economic impacts.

 The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority warned consumers not to eat packaged Globus potato salad from Klatovy-based producer Maso West after detecting Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis. The 140-gram salad, with a best-before date of April 1, has been withdrawn from several stores near Prague, Chomutov, Karlovy Vary, and Příbram. Authorities ordered production halted until safety is confirmed.

The Government Office building was illuminated in the Czech tricolor on Monday to mark Czech Flag Day, which Prime Minister Andrej Babiš declared for March 30, commemorating the 1920 adoption of the national flag. Babiš called for citizens to display the flag and honor its symbolism. The Senate opposed the date, proposing instead to rename St. Wenceslas Day to the Day of Czech Statehood and State Symbols.