News in brief for Oct. 11: Top headlines for Czechia on Wednesday

During a meeting today in Prague, chiefs of staff of Visegrád Group (V4) countries Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary, discussed the establishment of a platform for sharing information on future military equipment purchases.

The topics on their agenda included the current security situation and the coordination of sustainable support for Ukraine. The V4 military leaders exchanged views on the evolution of the Russian threat and NATO's new plans and force models. The meeting also focused on training for modern warfare, cooperation within the European Union battlegroup, and supporting the host country in NATO's defense planning.

Starting on Oct. 13, there will be limited direct trains from Prague or Brno to Bratislava for two weeks, Zdopravy reports. This is due to the connection of a modernized section to a new bridge over the Morava River on the main corridor line from Prague to Bratislava.

České dráhy and RegioJet have announced alternative routes and transportation options. České dráhy will use an alternative rail route with a transfer in Břeclav, while RegioJet will introduce a replacement bus service from Břeclav to Bratislava for some routes. More information can be found on the websites of České drahé and RegioJet.

President Petr Pavel will welcome Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Prague on Monday, Oct. 16. They will participate in the 27th edition of the Forum 2000 conference and a business forum, delivering opening speeches. Sandu's visit includes meetings with Czech officials, including Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and discussions on energy independence and defense-industrial cooperation.

Pavel expresses support for Moldova's pro-Western orientation and EU accession process. The Czech Republic has been a major provider of development cooperation to Moldova since 2005. Talks will also address the Russian invasion of Ukraine and strained relations between Moldova and Russia due to the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria.

A second repatriation flight is scheduled to depart for Tel Aviv, Israel, to evacuate Czech citizens stranded there due to recent terrorist attacks. The first flight, carrying Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, successfully brought back 34 individuals. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný canceled his business mission to Uzbekistan to assist with the evacuation, following an agreement with the Ministry of Defense.

The Czech Foreign Ministry has established an emergency information line and advised citizens to contact the embassy in Tel Aviv for assistance in returning to the Czech Republic. The evacuation efforts aim to ensure the safety of Czech nationals in Israel.

German band Rammstein is set to return to Prague's Letňany Airport on May 11, 2024, as part of their European tour celebrating their 30th anniversary. This pyrotechnic show will feature its renowned light effects.

The band recently faced accusations against their lead singer, Till Lindemann, related to sexual offenses, which the Berlin prosecutor's office later dropped due to lack of evidence. The concert tickets will be personalized, with sales starting on Oct.18. Rammstein was established in 1994 in Germany.

Sales of new hybrid cars in the Czech Republic saw significant growth, with a 42 percent increase year-on-year, totaling 29,373 cars sold in the first three quarters. Among them, plug-in hybrids with plug-in charging experienced a two-thirds increase compared to the previous year, reaching 4,059 units.

Sales of electric cars also showed strong growth, with a 61 percent increase to 4,628 cars. Toyota remains the top-selling brand for hybrid cars with 7,182 units sold, followed by BMW and Ford. In the electric car category, Tesla leads the market, followed by Škoda and Volkswagen.

A woman in Zlín, Czech Republic, was poisoned after consuming zucchini contaminated with cucurbitacin, a rare toxin found in some types of vegetables, Lidovky.cz reports. The patient experienced abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea, and was admitted to the T. Bata Regional Hospital in critical condition.

Medical staff treated her for severe dehydration, swelling of the stomach and intestines, and significant liver damage. Although cases of cucurbitacin poisoning are rare, experts warn that the toxin can be present in certain vegetables, especially those under stress. After six days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged and shared her story to raise awareness.

A devastating fire broke out at the Juta textile factory in Turnov on Tuesday evening. More than 20 firefighting units responded and declared the highest level of fire alarm. The fire was brought under control after 2 a.m. The cause of the fire, which led to an estimated CZK 160 million in damages, is unknown.

No injuries were reported, and firefighters estimate they will continue battling the blaze until Thursday. Juta, a major employer in the region, produces textiles for construction and agriculture. The company had sales of over CZK 9 billion last year and employed over 2,000 people.

A plane carrying Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and 34 Czech citizens evacuated from Israel landed at the military airport in Prague's Kbely today after a four-hour flight from Israel. Lipavský met with Israeli officials in Israel to discuss bilateral relations and support following terrorist attacks. Evacuated Czechs expressed relief to return home after conflicts disrupted flights.

One passenger noted the terrifying bombings and helplessness felt in Israel during attacks. The Czech Center Director in Tel Aviv also returned with the mission. Lipavský discussed foreign support for Israel and attack consequences. Further repatriation flights may occur. "Czech diplomacy and security services have once again proved their quality," President Petr Pavel commented on the trip.

Police stopped trams at Prague's Wenceslas Square Tuesday afternoon for around 20 minutes after finding suspicious luggage. Access to part of the square and a nearby street was restricted and several hundred people had to leave a shop. Police called a bomb squad but found no explosives.

Six tram lines were affected by the restrictions according to the Prague transport company. Police and emergency vehicles arrived and cordoned off the area by the Generali Palace where the luggage had been left. Trams did not cross Wenceslas Square from 5:00 to 5:20 p.m. before resuming service after the all-clear.

Construction has started on the new CZK 4.5 billion Czech Cancer Institute - Motol Cancer Centre in Prague, which will be subsidized by over EUR 3.7 billion from the National Recovery Plan and EU funds. The facility aims to provide specialized cancer care and research along with the Brno Cancer Institute.

The institute should be fully operational by July 2026 and will include two linear accelerators, a 60-bed ward, 22 outpatient units, and an 84-patient chemotherapy center. Recruiting sufficient staff will be difficult, so the hospital is starting plans now to fill the new positions. The center intends to provide a more pleasant environment for patients during treatment.

The Czech Chamber passed a government amendment in the first reading allowing citizens to prove their identity to authorities using digital documents, not just paper. The transition from physical to digital documents would be voluntary, with paper documents still available.

The amendment must now pass the parliamentary public administration committee, which has a month to consider it. Government estimates say initial costs would be CZK 500 million with annual operating costs of CZK 50 million if passed.

Czech President Petr Pavel presented seven Golden Rescue Crosses, four honorable mentions, and two other awards Tuesday for the best rescues of 2023. The ceremony recognizes exceptional interventions by firefighters, paramedics, police, and others in the integrated rescue system. The annual competition is organized by Rescue Report magazine to acknowledge both professional and volunteer lifesaving acts.

Awards went to a fire rescue corps for intervention in a national park fire, a police officer for medical assistance during a traffic accident with many injured, a man who helped a disabled bus driver stop the vehicle after an accident, and a boy who helped a woman who was being attacked.