Cable theft on a key rail section in Prague caused widespread disruption to train services across the Czech Republic on Sunday, delaying dozens of connections and forcing some regional routes to be canceled. Long-distance and international trains departing the capital were among the hardest hit, with delays exceeding three hours by early afternoon. The incident occurred on the busy stretch between Prague-Vršovice and Prague Main Station, one of the most important rail corridors in the country. Traffic on the line was reduced to a single track, significantly limiting capacity. According to the national carrier České dráhy, the disruption began at around 5:20 a.m. and was expected to last until approximately 3 p.m., when repairs were scheduled to be completed. By midday, delays at Prague Main Station had reached more than 200 minutes on routes heading east and southeast, including services via Pardubice to Brno and Břeclav, as well as connections continuing to Olomouc and Ostrava. Both local commuter trains and express services were affected, with some regional connections canceled altogether. ‼️ Praha ‼️ Kvůli krádeži kabelů zabezpečovacího zařízení je aktuálně výrazně omezen provoz vlaků v úseku Praha-Vršovice a Praha hl. n. Vlaky projíždějící zmíněným úsekem mohou navýšit svá zpoždění až...
Václav Havel was born in Prague on October 5, 1936. He became one of the country’s leading intellectuals and a respected playwright. From an early age, he developed a deep interest in European literature and drama, which he pursued within the so-called “Class of ’36,” a literary circle of young writers opposed to what Havel described as the Soviet regime’s “cemetery peace.” After the Prague Spring of 1968 and its violent suppression by Soviet troops, Havel emerged as a committed political activist and was soon branded an enemy of the state by the authorities in Prague, then a satellite of Moscow. He was banned from working in the theatre and spent several years in prison. Throughout this period, he remained under constant surveillance by the Czechoslovak communist regime. Havel became a central figure of the Velvet Revolution, a sustained, nonviolent uprising that brought down the communist regime through mass demonstrations over five weeks. On December 29, 1989, he was elected president of Czechoslovakia. In June 1990, the country held its first free elections since the fall of communist rule. During his presidency, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, a development Havel never fully accepted. In...
Anyone hoping for a white Christmas in Czechia may need to temper their expectations. According to the latest outlook from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), snowfall in the days leading up to Christmas is unlikely, not only in lowland areas but also in much of the country’s mountain regions. Meteorologists say the weather pattern dominating Central Europe is expected to remain largely unchanged until just before Christmas. High pressure is keeping fronts away from the region, limiting both cloud formation and precipitation. As a result, the coming days are forecast to be dry, with temperature inversions continuing to shape local conditions. In some areas, this could even mean clearer skies and periods of sunshine, though overall weather trends will closely resemble those of the past week. A potential shift in atmospheric conditions is currently being monitored around the Christmas period itself. Forecast models increasingly suggest the development of a blocking high-pressure system over northwestern Europe. If this scenario materialises, it could redirect airflow over Czechia from the east or northeast, opening the door to colder continental air. Such a change would raise the chance of an Arctic air mass reaching the country after Christmas. However, meteorologists stress that this remains...
From January 2026, patients in Czechia with severe depression or other serious mental health conditions may be able to receive psilocybin therapy, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, under strict medical supervision. The Ministry of Health has finalized a decree specifying how the treatment can be used, following a Senate-approved amendment to legalize medical psilocybin earlier this year. The therapy is intended for patients whose symptoms have not responded to conventional treatments such as antidepressants. Outgoing Health Minister Vlastimil Válek confirmed it will also be available for cancer-related depression and sudden worsening of other serious neuropsychiatric conditions, provided its use is backed by scientific evidence. The decree limits prescribing and dosing: only psychiatrists can administer psilocybin, treatments must be supervised by specialists, and patients can receive a maximum of three doses per month, with no more than 75 grams in total. A single dose cannot exceed 35 mg or 0.4 mg per kilogram of body weight. Authorities say psilocybin is low in toxicity, non-addictive, and generally safe under medical supervision, though unsupervised use can be dangerous. Dr. Rita Kočárová, a psychologist and researcher in psychedelic care, emphasizes that legal approval alone is not enough. “Treatment with psychedelics requires expertise, a...
Prague has crossed a symbolic threshold this year, surpassing 1.4 million residents for the first time. Fresh figures released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) show that the capital added nearly 2,900 people during the first nine months of 2025, even as the rest of the country saw its population slip. The pace of growth reflects a clear pattern: more people are moving to Prague than leaving it, while the number of deaths continues to exceed births. According to the data, the city welcomed 45,403 newcomers between January and September. During the same period, 41,784 people moved out, resulting in a net migration gain of 3,619 residents. Natural population change, however, remained negative. The number of deaths — 8,955 — outpaced the 8,217 births recorded in the city. That gap pushed Prague’s natural decrease to 738 people, continuing a trend observed nationwide. Marriage and divorce figures added further insight into demographic shifts. Over the first three quarters of the year, 4,997 couples married in the capital, while 1,757 marriages ended in divorce. Across the country, the picture looks different. The Czech Republic’s total population fell by more than 12,300 people, slipping below 10.9 million. The decline was driven mainly by...
Czech gastronomy reached a milestone this week when Restaurant Papilio in Vysoké Újezd near Beroun became the first dining spot in the country to earn two Michelin stars. The recognition arrived as the Michelin Guide released its new Czech edition — the first to assess restaurants beyond Prague. The expansion of Michelin’s focus reshaped the national culinary map. Inspectors awarded 9 starred restaurants across the country, while another 18 venues received Bib Gourmand, the guide’s mark for quality food at reasonable prices. Four restaurants were also honored with Green Stars for sustainability, along with several individual awards for service and young talent. Until now, Michelin had concentrated on Prague, where La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise and Field have long held one star each — and both retained their status. The restaurants Entrée in Olomouc, Vila in Zlín, Essens in Hlohovec in the Břeclav region and the Prague restaurants Levitate, Štangl, Pole, and Casa De Carli each received one star. But the spotlight largely shifted outside the capital for the first time. The biggest attention fell on Papilio, now holding two stars, led by chef Jan Knedla, who previously worked in acclaimed Michelin kitchens worldwide, including the three-star Amber in Hong Kong. Inspectors...
As the Christmas season approaches, Prague has renewed its call for more respectful and humane treatment of carp, a long-standing Czech holiday tradition. The city is not trying to ban the purchase of carp, but rather to highlight the suffering many of these fish endure — from stressful transport to painful deaths in untrained home kitchens. The campaign, visible across Prague until December 23, reminds buyers to avoid placing live carp in chlorinated bathtubs, returning them to rivers or ponds, or killing them at home without proper equipment. Instead, the city encourages people to have the fish humanely slaughtered, gutted, and cut at the point of sale. By doing so, stress and suffering can be minimized, and the resulting meat handled safely. “I believe most people aim to treat animals without causing harm and with compassion. Education and ethics go together,” said the Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism and Animal Welfare, stressing that a growing share of the public now recognises the suffering carp undergo when killed unprofessionally. From several thousand carp stalls across the Czech Republic, about 200 are located in Prague. The city notes a gradual rise in the number of customers opting for professional slaughter at the...
Residents across Czechia will have an exceptional chance to watch one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year this Saturday night. One of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers, the Geminids, is set to peak this weekend, offering a dazzling celestial display. These fiery tails, often called “shooting stars,” occur when fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up. Skygazers could see up to 120 meteors per hour under dark skies during the peak Saturday night into Sunday’s predawn hours, according to NASA. Although the phenomenon occurs every December, this year’s viewing window stands out. According to astronomer Petr Gorálek from the Opava Physics Institute, the Moon will rise late enough that its light will not interfere with visibility during the most active hours. For skywatchers, that means a darker sky and a higher chance of spotting long, bright trails. The ideal period spans midnight to around 4 a.m., when the meteor stream crosses Earth’s orbit at its most intense point. While the Geminids begin appearing from December 4 and continue until roughly December 17, the brief peak offers the greatest density of visible meteors. Astronomers advise heading away from city lights and choosing a spot with a...
A major shift in Central European aviation is underway as Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines begins the formal process to acquire Czech carriers ČSA and Smartwings. The announcement appeared first in a statement from Smartwings spokeswoman Vladimíra Dufková, confirming that negotiations between the parties have progressed to a structured sale procedure. According to Dufková, Prague City Air – the shareholder behind ČSA – reached an agreement with Pegasus to enter a sale process that will culminate in the full transfer of ČSA shares. The timeline depends on clearances from aviation regulators and other required approvals, which the parties expect to resolve within the coming year. Because ČSA owns all Smartwings shares, both carriers would be transferred together under the same transaction. Pegasus later posted a brief note on the X platform stating it had signed an acquisition agreement involving both Smartwings and ČSA. No financial details appeared in the announcement itself, yet Turkish media widely reported that the binding deal is valued at 154 million euros, roughly 3.8 billion CZK. The final amount may be adjusted once the transaction undergoes regulatory review and is fully finalized. LATEST JOBS IN PRAGUE Accounting Assistant with Spanish Active Directory Engineer [Advance/Senior] To execute the acquisition,...
Czech Inn Hotels has introduced an unprecedented program aimed at supporting families while addressing the country’s declining birth rate. The initiative provides a 15,000 CZK voucher for children conceived during stays at any of the company’s 28 hotels. The offer applies to children expected to be born in 2025 and 2026. Parents must have stayed at the hotel 7 to 10 months prior to the child’s birth to qualify. The voucher can be used at Malvík, a Czech company specializing in children’s products. Additionally, families receive a full discount on venue rentals for events such as birthday parties, christenings, weddings, or other celebrations. Jaroslav Svoboda, General Manager of Czech Inn Hotels, explained the motivation behind the initiative: “Hotels are thriving, and society needs more than just investments and work. We already support hospitals, sports, and other activities. Seeing so many happy couples at our hotels made me wonder how many children might have been conceived ‘with the help’ of our rooms. We want to offer financial support to families for these new arrivals.” Families interested in applying for the voucher can contact Czech Inn via [email protected] Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
European automakers have long dominated the market, but a new wave of competition from China is on the horizon. Following BYD’s entry into Czechia in April, seven more Chinese brands are preparing to follow, targeting both budget-conscious buyers and the premium segment. Their arrival marks a new chapter in the region’s transition to electric mobility. Hongqi: China’s Luxury Answer to Mercedes and BMW Hongqi, which means “Red Flag”, has an illustrious past. Once the exclusive supplier of limousines for Chinese political leaders, the brand has evolved into an ambitious global player. In China, it competes directly with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and now it plans to take on the same rivals in Europe. While Hongqi originally produced combustion models for the elite, it now focuses on electric vehicles. Its flagship model, the E-HS9, is a large electric SUV reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in both size and style. It combines premium materials with strong performance and a range exceeding 500 km. Hongqi has already launched in Norway and Sweden, with plans to enter the UK and other Western European markets in 2026. It aims to win customers through bold design and competitive pricing, though convincing European buyers that a Chinese...
President Petr Pavel will appoint ANO leader Andrej Babiš as prime minister on Tuesday, December 9, after the billionaire announced that he would step away from his business empire Agrofert to resolve a conflict of interest. The move clears the final obstacle following ANO’s victory in October’s parliamentary election and its subsequent coalition deal with the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and Motorists for Themselves. Babiš confirmed the decision in a video message on Thursday evening, saying he would “irrevocably give up” Agrofert and have no contact with the conglomerate going forward. The business group, which includes more than 200 companies and is one of the country’s largest recipients of EU subsidies, has been at the centre of his legal and political battles for years. “Of course, I could have left politics after winning the election and lived a comfortable life,” Babiš told voters. “But I am convinced you would see it as a betrayal. That is why I have decided to give up Agrofert forever. I will not own it again, I will not profit from it, and I will not communicate with it.” According to the plan he outlined, Agrofert’s shares will be moved into an independent trust...
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