Czech news in brief for September 22: Monday's top headlines

Public belief in climate change is declining in Czechia, with only 28 percent of people now convinced and supportive of action, down from 34 percent five years ago, according to a newly released STEM survey. Skeptics and critics now make up 38 percent, while 20 percent remain undecided. Analysts say rising politicization of climate policies has fueled the shift. The rejection of measures often leads to downplaying the problem, a STEM analyst said. The survey also showed that only 15 percent of respondents know exactly what the new ETS2 emission allowance trading scheme entails.

Forum 2000, an annual Prague conference promoting democracy, human rights and dialogue, will award Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli its 2024 International Prize for Courage and Responsibility, organizers said Monday. Detained in Batumi after January protests, she is serving two years for resisting officials. The prize, created in 2021, honors civic bravery and defense of human rights. It will open the 29th Forum 2000 meeting, Oct. 12–14, expected to draw 700-plus participants from over 100 countries, including President Petr Pavel.

Moody’s Investors Service has upheld Prague’s Aa3 rating with a stable outlook, according to a document presented Monday to city councilors. The agency cited the Czech capital’s solid budgets, liquidity and minimal debt, noting state backing would aid in financial distress. Analysts said growth pressures and dependence on national economic performance limit flexibility. The Aa3 grade, Moody’s fourth highest, could rise only if the Czech state itself improved its rating, alongside Prague’s fiscal discipline.

Cardiovascular ailments remained the Czech Republic’s leading cause of death in 2024, the Czech Statistical Office reported Monday. Of 112,211 deaths, 14,000 were from chronic ischemic heart disease, 7,300 from heart failure and 5,900 from stroke. Circulatory-system deaths fell slightly year on year, while fatalities from Covid-19 dropped to 748. Deaths from coronary heart disease have declined over the past decade, but heart-failure mortality has nearly doubled, a trend experts link to aging and post–heart attack survival.

Slovak police are investigating people smuggling after a driver fled Sunday near Stupava during a chase from Czechia, officials said Monday. The car, bearing Czech plates, carried two Azerbaijani citizens without valid visas and a Ukrainian with temporary-residence papers. Czech officers began pursuing the vehicle, which crossed into Slovakia, where local police joined. The suspect abandoned the car on the motorway and escaped on foot; authorities continue searching for him.

Temperature records fell for the second consecutive day Sunday, with 21 of 171 Czech meteorological stations recording highs, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute confirmed. The town of Dobrany near Pilsen reached 30.4 degrees Celsius, the warmest reading, followed closely by Rokycany (also by Pilsen) and Pilsen-Mikulka at 30.3 degrees Celsius. South Moravia also topped the 30 mark, with Lednice hitting 30.2 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists expect a sharp cooldown starting Monday, with similar temperatures as seen last weekend not expected for another six months or more.

NATO Days and Czech Air Force Days attracted 150,000 visitors to the Mošnov airport near Ostrava over the weekend, organizers said Sunday. Crowds saw aerobatic displays by the British Red Arrows, Turkish Stars, and Croatian Krila Oluje, while Italy showcased its AV-8B+ Harrier aircraft. Due to strong winds, parachute shows were cancelled Sunday. About 95,000 people attended Saturday alone, police said. No major incidents were reported during the two-day event. The two-day event is the biggest security show in Europe. Military, security, and rescue units from 16 countries present their equipment and skills at this show.

Astronomical autumn began Sunday at 8:19 p.m. Central European Time with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are nearly equal in length. Meteorologists predict a sharp cooldown for the rest of September and the start of October following a weekend of unseasonable warmth. Temperatures will drop below 20 degrees Celsius nationwide in the coming days, with some showers in Prague expected on Monday. Days will now shorten until the winter solstice on Dec. 21, when daylight is at its minimum and nights are longest. Dec. 21 marks the official start of winter.

About 50 people joined a Sunday march in Prague against racism, fascism, and the far right’s misuse of peace rhetoric, organizers said. Participants carried Palestinian and leftist flags, chanting slogans like “Refugees Welcome, Racists Leave.” Speakers condemned growing hate speech targeting Roma, migrants, Ukrainians, and Palestinians. The peaceful march ended at Lesser Town Square, watched by police. Organizers recalled Friday’s neo-Nazi attack on an anti-fascist rally in Frýdek-Místek, where one demonstrator was hospitalized.

A plaque bearing the names of 14 victims of the Dec. 21, 2023, shooting at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts was unveiled Sunday on Jan Palach Square. The ceremony, organized by the Connected by Hope association, included a choir performance outside the Rudolfinum concert hall. University spokesman Jan Bumba said the plaque symbolizes shared pain, strength, and hope. The shooter, a faculty student, killed himself after the attack, the deadliest in modern Czech history. "We survivors, we who have been most affected by the murders and deaths, have fallen ill and want to recover. Pessimism has never cured anyone," said one of the organizers.