Czech news in brief for March 18: Wednesday’s top afternoon headlines

The Czech Republic is joining several other EU countries in supporting tighter Schengen entry rules for former and current Russian soldiers, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said. Underlining the security risks they pose, the measure will be discussed by EU leaders on Thursday. Far-right leader and house speaker Tomio Okamura said the measure should also apply to Ukrainian soldiers.

Czech Railways (ČD) will launch the tourist season in Prague and surrounding areas in Central Bohemia on Saturday, the operator announced, with more routes and different connections being offered until November 1. The new barrier-free so-called ‘Regiofox’ trains – offering more comfort for cyclists and ideal for families with children – are also being launched on several popular routes.

The 81st edition of the popular Prague Spring Festival of classical music will open in Riegrovy Sady on May 12 with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra performing Má vlast by Bedřich Smetana. With almost 40 concerts and about 20 workshops and master classes planned this year, the festival will run until June 4. Tickets can be purchased on the official website.

A local Prague court has issued a preliminary injunction banning the television broadcast of the Czech movie Broken Voices (Sbormistr), inspired by real-life events about sexual abuse in a girls choir. The court’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a woman claiming to be one of the actual victims of the affair and arguing the film was a violation of her personal right to privacy and protection of her personality.

About 44 percent of Czechs exercise or engage in a physical activity on a regular basis, according to a survey by the Stronger Regions platform, several points higher than the European average. According to the poll, the most-cited reasons for not doing so are lack of time, lack of motivation, health disabilities and financial constraints, and the most popular activities for Czech adults are walking, hiking, cycling, swimming and running.