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Lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies passed a proposal on Wednesday shortening the length of studies for nurses – from the current seven years, which includes university, to five. If passed by the Senate and signed by the president, the legislation should come into effect by September 1.

The Czech Army is due to get its first female general. Colonel Lenka Šmerdová, who works as an aide to the chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, should be raised to the rank of general on May 8, to become the highest-ranking woman in the Czech military.

Prague’s famous St. Vitus Cathedral, a symbol of Czech statehood and home to the Czech crown jewels, is to get a very special gift on its 700th birthday in 2019. The Catholic Church has commissioned a renowned Spanish firm to make an organ that would crown the cathedral’s glory.

Czech politicians have reacted with relief to Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the first round of the French presidential election. However some point out that the narrow defeat of nationalist candidate Marine Le Pen should serve as a warning signal to Europe.

The north-east Bohemian town of Jičín, which is best-known as the home of the fairy-tale hero Rumcajs, has been named Czech Historical Town of the year for 2016. The prize, which comes with a one-million-cheque for further preservation work, honours towns and cities in the Czech Republic that have excelled in preserving and renewing their cultural and architectural heritage.

The Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek as well as key public figures such as the Academy of Sciences’ Pavel Baran or sociologist Tereza Stöckelová presented a new project on Thursday entitled “Česko na cestě”, marking key dates in the country’s history next year. It will be 100 years, for example, since the founding of Czechoslovakia and 50 since the Soviet-led invasion in 1968. The aim is to discuss key moments that changed the country, in good times and bad.

The Czech government has approved a national anti-terror plan, setting out how best to protect and react to possible terrorist attacks on so-called soft targets. It envisages an early warning system, training of selected workers and more funds for security at institutions considered to be at increased risk. The measures are aimed at stepping up coordination, securing a faster information exchange and limiting the number of casualties, for example, from follow-up attacks.

After a long wait, the home ice hockey team of the Czech Republic’s second city, Brno, has just landed the top domestic league title. There were celebrations on the home ice and in the city.

Increasing wages, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has made clear, will be a key campaign theme for his Social Democrats in what is an election year; on Tuesday, he suggested with the mandate the government has left he will boost pressure on foreign owners of Czech firms to increase wages. Salaries in the Czech Republic are still seen as generally lower than what might have been expected 27 years after the fall of communism.

A Brno court has issued a preliminary injunction on Uber, arguing that it should behave like a regular taxi firm. The company has also come under legal pressure in Prague, where it has been a major hit. But a representative says Uber is confident of continuing its operations in both cities.