Urgent Hepatitis A Outbreak Affects Four European Vacation Destinations

A remarkable discovery in the village of Dolní Věstonice, Czech Republic, has unveiled what is considered the oldest surviving portrait of a human, dating back approximately 26,000 years. The tiny sculpture, crafted from mammoth ivory, depicts a woman with detailed features, including engraved eyes, a dimpled chin, and possibly hair styled in an updo or covered by a hat, showcasing the artistic capabilities of Upper Paleolithic peoples. Archaeologists have stated that the artifact provides insight into early human life and individual representation during a time when such depictions were rare. The tiny sculpture measures just 4.8 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide, standing out from other artifacts found in the region, including the famous Venus of Věstonice, which lacks facial characteristics. The site, sometimes referred to as the "Stone Age Pompeii," has revealed a wealth of ancient artifacts, solidifying its significance in our understanding of prehistoric human culture. Many of these artifacts, including the new portrait, are displayed at the Anthropos Pavilion museum in Brno.

The Czech Republic has officially ended its dependence on oil supplied from Russia, a significant move for the country's energy security. Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced this development, stating that the nation is now fully capable of sourcing its oil supplies from Western partners. Previously, roughly half of the Czech Republic's oil, approximately 4 million metric tons, was delivered via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia. To facilitate this transition, the Czech government has invested over 1.5 billion Czech koruna to double the capacity of the Italian TAL pipeline, increasing it to 8 million metric tons annually. This pipeline, which extends into Germany, will ensure that the Czech Republic's oil needs are met without reliance on Russian imports. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura confirmed that the Orlen Unipetrol refiner plans to cease any purchases of Russian oil by the second half of this year. This decision aligns with broader EU sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine that restrict oil purchases from Russia. The Czech Republic, alongside Slovakia and Hungary, is among the last EU countries still purchasing oil from Russia; however, the country had previously halted imports of Russian gas earlier this year.