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Summary for: Czech news in brief for November 3: Monday's top morning headlines
Army recruitment drive strengthens defense
1️⃣ Army recruitment drive strengthens defense
The Czech Army plans to enlist 2,250 new soldiers next year, marking one of its most significant recruitment goals to date, according to iRozhlas. This year’s target of 2,100 was already exceeded, with over 2,300 recruits expected by year’s end. The army currently has approximately 28,000 members but aims to increase this to 37,500 in the coming years to meet NATO requirements. Higher pay and benefits, approved in June, are designed to attract more applicants.
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2️⃣ Public health institute faces funding crisis
Marking its 100th year, the National Institute of Public Health (SZU) warns it’s underfunded and losing talent. Director Barbora Macková says the state must boost funding by 200 million crowns to meet its mission. Doctors at the SZU earn significantly less than their peers elsewhere, with a monthly salary of CZK 43,000 compared to CZK 120,000 in hospitals. Founded by President Masaryk with support from Rockefeller, the institute remains a cornerstone of Czech public health research and monitoring.
3️⃣ A short 'granny summer' brightens the week
Czechia is set for a brief babí léto (old wives summer, grandma summer), with sunny skies and highs around 15°C expected from Tuesday, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Fog and low clouds will clear for a few days before returning by the weekend, bringing cooler, cloudier weather. Meteorologists say this warm spell will likely last only three days before autumn chill returns. Why is it called grandma summer? Read more here.
4️⃣ St. Martin’s menus soar in popularity
St. Martin’s goose season is in full swing, and Czech restaurants are reporting record bookings, according to the Chamber of Commerce’s Luboš Kastner. Once limited to traditional eateries, the Nov. 11 feast now appears on menus from cafés to Italian restaurants. Diners still favor the classic roast goose with cabbage and dumplings, even as prices rise about CZK 578 at Lokál and 890 at Čestr this year.
5️⃣ Jihlava doc fest honors films on war and miners
At the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, Time to the Target by Vitaly Mansky won Best Czech Film for its portrait of life in Lviv amid Russia’s war. Polish director Natalia Koniarzová’s Silver, about Bolivian miners, took the top international prize. The Bolivian collective Grupo Ukamau received a lifetime achievement award. Audience favorite Mr. Nobody Against Putin explores Russian propaganda through the eyes of a dissident teacher.
📊 The incoming Czech government plans to scrap license fees for Czech Television and Czech Radio. What do you think? So far, 56 percent of readers say the fees are essential for independent public media, while 43 percent believe they should be scrapped entirely. Only 1 percent favor shifting funding to the state budget. Take the poll here.
