The super-gross wage has been abolished, Queen Elizabeth II. celebrates the 73rd anniversary of her wedding and diamonds can now be created at room temperature! Come with the Early Bird and see what else is going on in the Czech Republic as well as in the world.
The abolishment of the super-gross wage
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Premiér Andrej BabišSource: Profimedia
The MEP approved Babiš's proposal and, among other things, abolished the super-gross salary. Instead, only the gross wage will be taxed from next year at a rate of 15 percent. People who earn more than cca 140,000 a month will tax the share above this threshold at a rate of 23 percent. However, the law has yet to be approved by the Senate and the president.
But this is not the only change approved: employees will also be able to receive a meal flat rate instead of meal vouchers. Furthermore, the discount per taxpayer will increase and the rate of excise duty on diesel will be reduced by 1 crown per liter.
Prodej bytu s balkónem, Smetanovo nábřeží, Praha 1
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Remdesivir allegedly doesn't cure coronavirus
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Vakcína proti coviduSource: freepik.com/photos/medical
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not to use remdesivir in the treatment of coronavirus, regardless of the potential severity of patient's state. According to their report, the drug doesn't increase the chance of survival of patients with Covid-19, nor does it affect whether or not they will need mechanical ventilation.
Remdesivir was originally intended to treat bleeding fever, but since March, Covid-19 patients have been receiving it too, even in the Czech Republic. The government purchased more doses in October.
Diamonds from a lab
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DiamantySource: Pixabay.com/Grown Diamond
Diamonds may be forever, but that doesn't mean it has to take forever for them to be created! Australian scientists could tell you all about it - they know how to speed up the process of creating diamonds to a few minutes, at room temperature. Normally, diamonds are created under enormous pressure and high temperatures deep beneath the earth's surface, which takes billions of years.
Researchers from the Australian National University and the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, created two types of diamonds at room temperature by applying enormous pressure. One of the diamonds created is very similar to those commonly found in jewelry, the other is extremely hard.
"The long-term goal of the project is the production of these precious, very useful diamonds,"
outlined a researcher working on the Xingshuo Huang project.
The battle for the ban on battery cages for laying hens has finally been won!
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DrůbežSource: Pixabay.com/Xuân Tuấn Anh Đặng
President Miloš Zeman signed an amendment to the law on the protection of animals against cruelty. From 2027, battery cages for laying hens will be banned by law in our country.
"It is a huge achievement. With the ban on battery cages for laying hens, the Czech Republic has joined the ranks of developed countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and together with them sets trends in animal protection,"
Marek Voršilka, chairman of the OBRAZ - Animal Defenders Association, responded to the success in the Senate.
The fate of millions of Czech hens was decided last week in the Senate, where an amendment to the Animal Protection Act was finally approved.
The royal couple is celebrating!
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Britský královský párSource: Profimedia
Queen Elizabeth II. and Prince Philip are celebrating their wedding anniversary today. An incredible 73 years! On this occasion, the couple published photos in which they're opening cards from their great-grandchildren. The charming picture was taken at Windsor Castle and shows the pair sitting together on the couch, all relaxed, and flipping through anniversary cards.
The couple got married when Elizabeth was only 21 years old.
Chubby dogs
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LabradorSource: Pixabay.com/Chiemsee2016
Does it bother you that you've gained weight during the lockdown? Stop worrying, you could always be worse off. According to a British study, Labradors have gained the most pounds. Well, at least among dogs. On average, Labradors gained 1.86 kilograms during the first British lockdown.
The results were published by the Dog Friendly Retreats platform, which had questioned more than 1,700 dog owners. They found out that British dogs have gained an average of 1.22 kilograms. French bulldogs (1.72 kilograms) ranked second, right after Labradors, followed by dachshunds (1.36 kilograms), beagles (0.95 kilograms) and German shepherds (0.9 kilograms).
And that's all from us for today! We wish you a nice Friday and the most relaxing weekend possible. As Seneca said:
"We must humour our minds and grant them rest from time to time, which acts upon them like food, and restores their strength."
