Europe Czech Republic For the first time since records began, the average annual temperature in the country is expected to exceed 10 degrees Celsius in 2024; if November and December maintain average conditions, the annual average will reach 10,3°C
Europe Czech Republic An existing shortage of train drivers in the Czech railway industry is expected to worsen as many are gradually retiring, with no replacement to be found; the average age of drivers is around 50
Europe Czech Republic The fruit harvest dropped by 65% in 2024 to 48.058 tonnes, the lowest in 100 years according to a number of sources, after heavy frosts in April damaged flowering crops; frost-related losses are estimated at CZK 1,3 billion, or € 51.382.500
Europe Czech Republic 2.266 applications for compensation for forced sterilisation have been submitted before the 2 January deadline, although the total number is likely to be higher; now an illegal practice, it used to be imposed on Roma women and women with disabilities
Europe Czech Republic The Czech Lower House approved a series of amendments to the Lex Ukraine Act; one of the controversial points of the bill was its aim to make it more difficult for Russians to obtain Czech citizenship