Two women have died in a knife attack on Thursday at a shopping center in the Hradec Králové, officials said. Police say they detained a teenage suspect in connection with the stabbings in a store in the city of Hradec Kralove, some 100 east of Prague. Reports initially said the victims had been injured, one of them seriously, but police later said both had died. They were not identified. Authorities confirmed that both victims worked as shop assistants, and the motive behind the attack is under investigation. A 16-year-old Czech national was detained by police about one 1 kilometer from the scene, shortly after the attack. A knife was found nearby. Prime Minister Petr Fiala offered his condolences to the relatives of the dead. “What has happened in Hradec Kralove today is an absolutely incomprehensible and horrible act,” he posted on X. Police say the situation was under control and there was no danger to the public. No other details were immediately available. The store was surrounded by police tape, but according to local reporters, the shopping area is still in normal operation. “We are investigating the attacker’s motivation through the National Center for Combating Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime and...
The Czech government has expanded the list of non-EU countries whose citizens can work in the country without a permit. Starting in March, people from Taiwan will no longer need a work permit or employment card to be legally employed. The cabinet approved the change on Wednesday as part of an effort to attract more skilled foreign workers. The measure aims to ease hiring for Czech businesses while making it simpler for professionals and managers from Taiwan to relocate. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, as of last June, 185 Taiwanese nationals—80 men and 105 women—were employed in Czechia. The decision comes after an amendment to the Employment Act, which allows the government to designate certain non-EU countries as eligible for work without additional permits. Since July 2023, this list has included Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, and Singapore. Taiwan was originally part of the proposal but was later removed because Czechia does not officially recognize it as an independent state. However, a separate legislative change now allows Taiwan to be treated as an independent jurisdiction, clearing the way for its inclusion. Security concerns were also considered before...
The STEM Agency has published the results of its latest survey on Czech attitudes toward various nationalities and ethnic groups living in the country. The research, conducted from January 16-25, 2025, surveyed 1,034 Czech citizens aged 18 and over through a combination of in-person and online methods. Respondents were asked, “How would you feel if your neighbor was from this nationality?” As anticipated, Czechs showed the greatest warmth toward Slovaks, with 93% of respondents saying they would feel “very well, without problems” living next door to them. The English came in second, with 83% of respondents expressing a welcoming attitude. Americans ranked third, with 81% of Czechs saying they would be comfortable with them as neighbors. The Ukrainians followed closely, with 46% of respondents expressing no issues with having them as neighbors, while 35% of Czechs would accept Russians in their neighborhood. Notably, this dynamic had shifted dramatically since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, when attitudes were reversed. Both Jews and Vietnamese people garnered equal support, with 71% of respondents expressing no objections to having them as neighbors. On the other end of the spectrum, Czechs indicated that Arabs and Syrians were the least desirable neighbors, with 20%...
The Czech Republic is in the grip of severe frosts, with temperatures in the mountains dropping as low as -30.2°C. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), nighttime temperatures across much of the country ranged between -9°C and -14°C, while mountainous regions experienced even harsher conditions. The freezing conditions have persisted for several nights. “Tuesday night was particularly cold, especially in northwestern and northern Bohemia, where skies remained clear. Here, temperatures commonly fell to -9°C to -14°C, with some areas dropping to around -16°C. In the Jizera Mountains, we recorded temperatures below -20°C,” ČHMÚ meteorologists reported on X. The lowest temperature of the night was measured at Kořenov Jizerka, where the station recorded -30.2°C at 5:00 AM. “Elsewhere in the country, low-lying areas remained under compact cloud cover, preventing extreme temperature drops. In these locations, temperatures mostly ranged between -4°C and -9°C,” meteorologists added. Daytime Temperatures Struggle to Rise Even during the day, the frost is unlikely to ease. In some areas, temperatures will remain below freezing. “Cloud cover is gradually decreasing from the north and will continue to clear throughout the day. By the afternoon, most of the country will see sunshine, but maximum temperatures will only reach -4°C...
A new amendment to the Tourism Act will require all accommodation providers, including hotels and private Airbnb rentals, to register in the upcoming eTurista system. The proposal has passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies, with implementation planned for hotels this year and private rentals next year. The amendment also grants municipalities the power to regulate short-term rentals in apartment buildings. Local governments will be able to set restrictions on rental periods, limit the number of days a property can be rented per year, and impose occupancy limits based on apartment size. “Hotels and other registered accommodations must follow strict regulations and are subject to inspections and potential sanctions. However, authorities often have no oversight over short-term rentals via digital platforms, allowing some hosts to operate in a legal gray zone,” said Minister for Regional Development Petr Kulhánek (STAN). Kulhánek emphasized that the lack of regulation negatively affects popular tourist destinations like central Prague and the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). Unregistered accommodations often fail to report foreign guests and avoid paying local accommodation fees. “Our estimates suggest that the state loses nearly CZK 800 million annually in unpaid taxes from unregistered accommodations, while municipalities lose another 55 million crowns in...
Czechia is bracing for a week of freezing temperatures, with nighttime lows plummeting to -15°C. The cold spell will peak midweek before a gradual warming starts on Thursday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) reports that a high-pressure system over northern and central Europe will drive the extreme cold. People were advised to dress in multiple layers, wear suitable footwear, and limit outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly, and those in poor health. The deep freeze will intensify on Monday, with clear to partly cloudy skies, though some areas may see temporary cloud cover and isolated snowfall. Nighttime temperatures will plunge to between -10°C and -15°C, with daytime highs reaching -3°C to 1°C. Tuesday and Wednesday will bring similar conditions, though daytime temperatures may rise slightly to 2°C. Thursday will remain mostly clear to partly cloudy, with temporary cloud cover moving in from the west. However, warmer air will start to arrive. The lowest nighttime temperatures will range from -8°C to -12°C, or around -6°C in cloudier areas. During the day, temperatures could climb to 4°C. The trend of clear to partly cloudy skies will continue into the weekend, though fog and low clouds may develop in some areas, including...
An alarming new drug, nitazene, is making its way through Czech online platforms. Sourced from China, this substance—more dangerous than fentanyl—has already captured the attention of customs officials. In recent weeks, online spaces have seen a surge of advertisements promoting nitazene worldwide. Customs officers in the Czech Republic have intercepted shipments linked to the drug, prompting concerns over its spread. Investigative efforts by Bellingcat and coverage on investigace.cz have shed light on the issue. Their research uncovered numerous nearly identical ads. One such message read: “Hello, friend. Our advantage is safe and fast delivery, ensuring your products arrive on time and in pristine condition. Our efficient process balances security and speed for a seamless experience every time.” These ads typically include contact details via Telegram or Signal and display an image of a white to grayish powder. In the Czech Republic, the drug has been promoted on eight different websites—including Hyperinzerce, Chov zvířat, Zbavsetoho, and primabazar.cz—although inquiries have so far gone unanswered. More Toxic Than Fentanyl Developed around sixty years ago as an alternative to morphine, nitazene was never approved for medical use. In stark contrast to fentanyl, nitazene compounds are estimated to be ten to forty times more toxic;...
The Czech government is set to discuss regulated sales of kratom and cannabis with THC levels up to 1% on Wednesday, with the changes potentially taking effect in July. The regulation focuses on substances deemed to pose low public health and social risks based on current scientific evidence. These include kratom and kratom extracts, known for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects; cannabis with up to 1 percent THC, a low-potency form of cannabis with minimal psychoactive effects. Low-THC cannabis products will be permitted to be sold in licensed stores starting this summer in Czechia, although certain forms of commerce such as automated vending machines remain prohibited. Additionally, starting on April 1, 2025, general practitioners (GPs) in the Czech Republic will be authorized to prescribe medical cannabis to suffering patients. The policy change is a result of a new decree from the nation’s Ministry of Health. “The decree allows GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for chronic, intractable pain,” Ministry spokesperson Ondřej Jakob previously said. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Czechia in 2013, however, only specialists can currently prescribe it resulting in roughly 8,000 patients receiving legal access. There is also a push in Czechia for wider adult-use cannabis legalization. However,...
In Milovice (Nymburk District), a driver came dangerously close to hitting a young girl at a pedestrian crossing, raising concerns about road safety. The incident occurred on February 6 on Armádní Street and was caught on a security camera. The footage shows the girl, a primary school student, stepping onto the crossing when a car speeds through, missing her by mere centimeters. Local police quickly identified the driver and referred the case to administrative proceedings. Authorities suspect the driver violated the law requiring motorists to yield to pedestrians at crossings. If found guilty, the driver could face a fine of up to 5,000 CZK, four penalty points, or a driving ban ranging from six months to a year. The police have not disclosed the driver’s identity or age but confirmed that no criminal charges would be pursued. In response to the incident, the police issued a public warning, urging both drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant. “Drivers must always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and be particularly cautious when children are present,” police stated. “At the same time, pedestrians should not assume that a vehicle will stop—they should always check for slowing traffic before stepping onto the road.” Would you...
According to the Prime Minister and the latest economic index, Czechia is flourishing, even as Poland and Romania begin to close the gap. According to data released by the Prosperity and Financial Health Index, Czechia now boasts the ninth healthiest economy in the European Union. GDP and consumer spending are on the rise, inflation has been tamed, debt levels remain stable, and Czech companies are steadily returning to domestic ownership. While such progress might prompt celebrations and counter the narrative of an imminent takeover by Asian economies, there’s an important caveat: even though GDP and consumption are increasing, our pace is slow compared to other nations, where growth is notably swifter. “Czechia is doing well. Both GDP and consumer spending are growing,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated on the FLOW program. His remarks were meant to boost the morale of citizens—many of whom, he believes, are reluctant to spend due to a gloomy outlook. He also dismissed claims that the government’s consolidation measures have squeezed the budgets of low-income households. In fact, real wages are rising, and the government recently reduced the VAT rate on food from 15% to 12%, a welcome move given that groceries are the largest expense...
Which 5G network in the Czech Republic is the fastest? We have the answer. O2 has been awarded the title of the fastest 5G network in the Czech Republic by independent testing firm Ookla. The accolade follows a comprehensive evaluation based on more than a thousand user tests conducted in the third and fourth quarters of last year using the Speedtest tool. According to the report, O2’s network achieved a median download speed of 146.99 Mb/s—with speeds soaring to 330 Mb/s in Prague. These impressive figures contributed to a Speed Score of 141.18 points, leaving competitors T-Mobile at 117.79 and Vodafone at 82.26. Jan Hruška, O2’s Technology Director, remarked: “After four years of extensive 5G coverage in the Czech Republic, this award is a testament to the hard work of hundreds involved in the project. It also confirms that our customers are enjoying the best service available in the Czech market.” The Speedtest Award is based on a composite score that considers both download and upload speeds, as well as latency. O2’s network demonstrated not only remarkable download speeds but also robust upload performance—exceeding 32 Mbps—and an average latency as low as 19 ms. Notably, the network’s performance in Prague...
Shoppers in the Czech Republic are feeling the strain of yet another rise in food prices, even as overall inflation has eased. While the country’s inflation rate dipped to 2.8%, grocery bills continue to climb, with the cost of everyday essentials seeing sharp increases since the start of the year. Data from the Czech Statistical Office shows food prices have jumped nearly 5% compared to last January. The rise is particularly steep in dairy products, with butter now selling for 61 crowns per package, up from 44 crowns a year ago—a 40.5% increase. Eggs have also become noticeably more expensive, surging 24.6%, while meat prices across all categories are up as much as 10%. Agricultural analyst Petr Havel notes that while food prices are still rising, the hikes are less severe than in previous years. He attributes the recent increase in meat and egg prices partly to stricter animal welfare regulations, including the ongoing phase-out of cage farming. Not all products are getting more expensive. Potato and sugar prices have fallen by more than 20%, thanks to a current sugar surplus. However, vegetable prices are expected to keep rising until April due to seasonal factors. Barring any major disruptions, overall...
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