The European Commission is weighing a new tax on foods high in fat, sugar and salt, aiming to curb the EU’s rising burden of cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses. The plan, described in internal material reviewed by DPA and reported by TASR, outlines a bloc-wide levy that would apply to heavily processed products. The concept, still under discussion, is expected to surface formally in mid-December. Officials behind the draft argue that a modest, uniform surcharge across member states could shift eating habits without placing an excessive burden on households. The tax would also encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products toward healthier standards. Underlying the proposal is a long-standing concern: cardiovascular disease remains the EU’s deadliest health problem, responsible for more than 1.7 million deaths each year. The economic cost is estimated above €280 billion annually, a figure Brussels considers unsustainable. The document ties frequent consumption of processed foods to higher risks of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. In addition to the food-related levy, the Commission plans to update tobacco control rules by 2027 and introduce a shared European rating system for processed food. If approved, the tax would form part of a wider strategy to reduce cardiovascular mortality by 20...
Meteorologists warn that the first broader wave of snowfall of the season will reach Czechia at the start of the week. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), a cold front moving across the country will push Monday’s rain into snow in several regions, including parts of Prague and higher mountain ranges. ČHMÚ stated on its X channel that the shift from rain to snow is expected early Monday, mainly in areas above 300 meters. In the northern mountains, especially above 1,000 meters, the snowfall could pile up to around ten centimetres. Prague should also see snowfall. Forecasters expect Monday to begin with cloud cover and rain across the capital. In districts situated at higher elevations, the rain may mix with snow during more intense bursts of precipitation. Meteorologists anticipate a brief pause in rainfall during the day before more showers return from the northwest in the late afternoon and evening — again with the possibility of snow in higher-lying neighbourhoods. From Tuesday through Thursday, the weather is set to calm. Sunny or partly sunny skies should dominate, and rainfall will be unusual during this period. Clear nights, however, will bring frost, with morning temperatures dropping to 0 to –5°C....
On Nov. 17, 1989, student protesters filled the streets of Prague. It was eight days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the same tide of freedom that had swept Berlin seemed to have come to the Czech capital. Police tried to beat back the demonstrators, hoping to tamp down the demand for freedom, but the people seemed to have grown immune to the brutality of the regime; the show of force only galvanized the resistance. The students were joined in the coming days by Czechoslovak citizens of all ages. By Nov. 20, a half-million Czechs and Slovaks filled Prague’s streets and took over Wenceslas Square. The Communists were forced out. By the end of 1989, Czechoslovakia was on its way to having an elected President for the first time since 1948. The events of those world-changing days would come to be known as the Velvet Revolution. But, while the Velvet Revolution was over relatively quickly, it had been decades in the making. The Failed “Prague Spring” In January of 1968, the USSR gave the leadership of Czechoslovakia to someone new: Alexander Dubček. Dubček had fought against German forces during WWII, joining the communist party in his country after...
With December approaching, Coca-Cola is preparing to roll out one of its most recognizable traditions: the Christmas truck tour. The company confirmed that the red truck will travel through Czechia and Slovakia from December 10 to 17, 2025, with multiple stops including Prague. Although the truck itself remains the main attraction, each stop will feature a small festive zone where visitors can try classic holiday food and warm drinks. Organizers are setting up tents around the parking area so guests can enjoy a short program without needing tickets or reservations. Children and adults will have the chance to meet Santa Claus, join light-hearted competitions for small prizes, and take photos in front of the illuminated truck. Seasonal music will play throughout the event, keeping the atmosphere close to the brand’s well-known holiday commercials. Tour Dates in Czechia December 10 – Prague, Westfield Černý Most December 11 – Prague, SK Slavia Eden December 12 – Prague, Westfield Chodov December 13–14 – Pec pod Sněžkou December 15 – Mikulov December 17 – Frýdek-Místek This year’s campaign carries the theme “Let the Magical Christmas Ring,” centered on a bell that symbolizes people gathering around the table during the holidays. The bell motif appears...
After several unusually mild November days, Czechia is about to experience a rapid shift in weather, with temperatures falling sharply over the weekend following the passage of a cold front. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI), a weakening occlusion front from the west is currently shaping the country’s weather. Satellite images show a red cloud band indicating this front, while low inversion clouds and persistent fog dominate lowland regions. Skies are expected to gradually clear from the southwest during Tuesday afternoon and evening. The warm air will peak on Friday, when temperatures could reach up to 16°C, and around 18°C in the lee of the Šumava Mountains. After the weekend, a cold front will bring a noticeable cooling. Friday will mark the culmination of the warm spell. Although fog and cloudiness will still appear in some places, many regions — especially in southern Bohemia — will clear up. Temperatures will range from 12 to 16°C, possibly up to 18°C near Šumava, making it one of the warmest days of the month. The change will come suddenly on Saturday, as a cold front crosses the country. Cloud cover will increase, and rain will spread to several regions, with snowfall expected...
Starting January 2026, all forms of physical punishment of children will be prohibited under Czech law. An amendment to the Civil Code declares corporal punishment unacceptable in any context. Despite the legal change, a study by Charles University found that 40% of Czech parents still consider physical punishment an appropriate disciplinary method. Experts warn that social attitudes may take time to adapt, even after the law comes into effect. The issue extends beyond families into public institutions. Vít Aleksandr Šorm, Deputy Ombudsman and Commissioner for Children’s Rights, reported that during visits to orphanages and educational facilities across the country, he observed humiliating practices and physical punishments still being used. Some children are subjected to forced kneeling and other degrading forms of discipline, practices that violate the Czech Republic’s international obligations to protect children. Investigations by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Commissioner for Children’s Rights are ongoing. Their findings will be made public in the ESO Register’s database, allowing greater transparency and accountability. Over the past decades, many studies have examined the effects of corporal punishment, and not one has found that it has a positive impact on children or their behaviour. In contrast, many have found that it has many...
Monitoring conducted in 2025 confirmed the birth of wolf cubs in several regions, signaling a gradual but steady expansion of the species. New litters have been documented in the Šumava Mountains, Ore Mountains, and Ralsko and Broumov regions. Particularly noteworthy are new births in Kokořínsko and Ralsko, where no successful breeding had been observed in the past five years. Researchers from the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic have confirmed that wolves are successfully settling in new habitats. In the Ore Mountains, the species has been recorded in three distinct territories, including a newly formed one in the central part of the range, where a wolf pair has established its den. Wolf presence has also been noted in the Lusatian Mountains and along Czechia’s border with Poland, suggesting natural cross-border movement and gradual population growth. Despite this progress, experts caution that roughly two-thirds of wolf cubs do not survive their first year, due to natural causes, accidents, or territorial conflicts. Ecological Impact Their return contributes to restoring ecological balance, as they help regulate populations of deer and other wild ungulates. This, in turn, supports forest regeneration and promotes greater biodiversity in areas that have long been affected by overgrazing....
After more than a decade, the Miss Earth crown has returned to Czechia. Natálie Puškinová triumphed in the 2025 Miss Earth competition, held in the Philippines, becoming only the second Czech winner in the pageant’s 25-year history. The first was Tereza Fajksová, who claimed the title in 2012. According to ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest television network, Puškinová stood out among nearly 80 contestants from around the world. In the final round, she surpassed representatives from Chile, Brazil, Ukraine, and the Philippines, securing the crown in front of a global audience. The final ranking placed Iceland as first runner-up, Vietnam as second runner-up, and Thailand in third. Puškinová’s victory adds another major success for Czech beauty pageants, following Krystyna Pyszková’s win at Miss World 2024. “This is another huge success for our country,” said Taťána Pánek Makarenko, president of Miss Czech Republic. “We now have two Grand Slam crowns in just two years — Krystyna at Miss World and Natálie at Miss Earth. I’m extremely proud of Natálie. She worked hard, spoke with confidence, and truly deserves this. Her reign will be exceptional, and I’m glad we’ve brought the title back to Czechia.” Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un...
Every year on November 11, the Czech Republic marks St. Martin’s Day, one of the country’s most cherished autumn traditions. It’s a celebration that blends food, fine wine, and good company – a perfect way to brighten the cold days when autumn slowly turns to winter. At the heart of these festivities is the St. Martin’s goose, a dish so symbolic that restaurants across the country, from Prague to Karlovy Vary, fill their menus with it. Who Was St. Martin? The holiday honors St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier born in what is now Hungary. Known for his compassion, he famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. His act of kindness made him one of Christianity’s most beloved saints and a symbol of generosity. St. Martin’s Day falls on November 11 – traditionally the time of post-harvest feasts and the start of Advent preparations. Why a Goose? The story behind the goose dates back to legend. When the humble Martin tried to avoid being appointed bishop, he hid among a flock of geese – but their loud honking gave him away. Since then, the goose has become an inseparable part of the celebration. Historically,...
On Saturday, November 8, more than 2,800 retail stores across the Czech Republic will take part in the national food collection, a major increase from last year’s 2,250. The event, organized by the Czech Federation of Food Banks and the Czech Trade and Tourism Association, will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations will include non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, which will later be distributed to families and individuals in need. Starting Tuesday, people can also contribute through six online retailers, where the food collection will continue for two weeks. Organizers say the number of participating outlets has been steadily growing, showing greater public involvement each year. When the initiative began in 2013, donations could be made at 750 stores. That number rose to 1,050 in 2021, 1,470 in 2022, and 2,000 in 2023. Online platforms now account for about 15% of all collected goods. During last year’s autumn round, 684 tons of food and hygiene products were gathered—34 tons less than the previous year. According to organizers, the lower figure may have resulted from earlier donations made in September, when the public responded to flood relief efforts. The food collection takes place twice a year, in spring...
The Prague Archbishopric announced that Dominik Jaroslav Duka — Cardinal Emeritus of Prague — died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 4. He was 82 years old. According to the announcement, “today, Tuesday, November 4, at three o’clock after midnight, the Lord of Life called Cardinal Duka … to eternity. May the infinitely merciful God open His arms to him and fill him with His love and bliss.” A book of condolences will open in the Archbishop’s Palace from Tuesday at noon. The public may also pay respects in person at the All Saints’ Church on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, between noon and 18:00. Cardinal Duka will be laid to rest in the Archbishops’ Tomb within the Chapel of St. Vitus at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, awaiting the Resurrection. Funeral details will be published Wednesday. The Mass will take place on November 15 at St. Vitus Cathedral. Born April 26, 1943, in Hradec Králové, Duka entered priestly formation at the Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty in Litoměřice in 1965. He joined the Dominican Order in 1968 and was ordained a priest in June 1970. Shortly afterward, he served in parish ministry for five years, but...
Households in the Czech Republic now pay among the highest electricity rates in Europe, according to data from Eurostat covering 39 countries. Domestic users in Czechia paid approximately €317.9 per MWh (around 7,736 CZK including VAT) for the first half of 2025—placing the country sixth-highest in the ranking. The figure covers all components of consumer electricity bills, including commercial charges, regulated fees, taxes and levies. Czech authorities gather these figures through the Czech Statistical Office, which collects data from major energy suppliers covering over 90 % of small-consumer household customers. Only Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Ireland recorded higher nominal household electricity prices in that period. At the same time, Czechia’s average exceeds the EU-wide average of about €287.2 per MWh (≈ 6,982 CZK) and approaches the euro-area average of roughly €300.6 per MWh (≈ 7,308 CZK). That said, the comparison covers households of varying sizes and usage types. In Czechia, consumers who rely on electricity for heating and hot water pay a lower rate per MWh than those without those uses. If those households were excluded, Czechia’s ranking would drift down to 13th. In contrast, Austria and Germany make no such distinction in pricing between smaller and larger consumption...
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