Czech Republic

The population decreased by 21.500 to 10,88 million in the first half of 2024, with deaths exceeding births and a negative migration balance contributing to the decline, shows the Czech Statistical Office

The biggest Czech festival of illustration and comics, LUSTR, started at the Holešovice market in Prague; it will last eight days and citizens will have the opportunity to visit exhibitions, presentations and meet illustrators and comic creators in person

Towns and villages in the east and north of the country are preparing for possible flooding due to the heavy rains expected in the coming days and started to erect flood barriers

The Czech government intends to start taxing cryptocurrency transactions, with a law aimed at curbing tax evasion and creating a level playing field between cryptocurrencies and standard financial products

The digitised building permit system will become fully operational in August; about 64% of the 6.000 applications submitted so far are in progress, with about 500 decisions made

Only 17% of Czechs are satisfied with the state of Czech politics according to a recent survey by the Kantar agency for Czech Television

The Minister of Education has proposed that all children start learning English from grade one onwards

All bus stops within the municipality of Prague and Central Bohemia have become 'on-demand stops'; according to the Prague Integrated Transport Company, the aim is to shorten intervals, reduce noise and save fuel

Despite being the highest in the world, Czech beer consumption has dropped significantly, reaching its lowest level since 1963, and experts predict that this will continue; in 2005, a record of 163.5 litres per capita was reached, equivalent to 327 beers

This year's meteorological spring (March, April and May) was the warmest since 1775 at the Clementinum weather station in the centre of Prague, with an average temperature of 13,7 degrees Celsius

The annual folkloric event of the Ride of the Kings was held in Vlčnov, and a 9-year-old boy, František Janča, was chosen as king and led a horseback procession through the village; for young men, the event represents the transition to adulthood