Despite a week of freezing temperatures, ice on Prague’s ponds and reservoirs remains too thin for skating, firefighters warn. Several volunteer fire brigades across the city have issued alerts on social media, urging residents not to venture onto frozen water surfaces too early. According to Miroslav Řezáč, spokesperson for the Prague Fire Brigade, ice must be at least ten centimetres thick before it can safely support a single person. If several people are on the ice at the same time, firefighters recommend a minimum thickness of 18 centimetres. Anything less poses a serious risk of breaking through. Checks in Praguewere conducted by employees of the Forests of the Capital City of Prague, primarily for operational reasons. On Monday, ice thickness was recorded at nine centimetres at the Hostivař Reservoir, eight centimetres at Hamerský and Kyjský ponds, seven centimetres at Džbán, and 12 centimetres at Jiviny. Other locations, including Počernický Pond and Pískovna, are inspected on a random basis. Firefighters emphasise that ice thickness can vary significantly within a single pond. Areas near shores, inlets, outlets, or spots with water movement may be far weaker than they appear. Volunteer firefighters in Dubeč have warned that even if part of a pond...
Believe it or not, the history of Czech skiing started in Prague, right in the center of the city exactly 135 years ago today. On January 5, 1887, skiing fan Josef Rössler-Ořovský used Prague’s Wenceslas Square, with a fairly friendly incline, as the first Czech ski run. Back then, winters were considerably tougher and snowfall more intense to be able to accomplish the feat. Afterward, skiing as a sport began to draw greater interest from the population. In the 20th century, after the fall of communism, foreign goods and sporting equipment became available for the first time in four decades, resulting in the modernization of ski equipment and ski resorts. Josef Rössler-Ořovský Josef Rössler-Ořovský (June 29, 1869, in Prague – January 17, 1933, in Prague) was a versatile Czech athlete and capable sports organizer. He is still one of the greatest personalities in Czech sport. Josef was an outstanding rower and skier, he played football for the Parisian club White Rowers and the English Black Trials Fulham and he was the first Czech football referee. He founded the Czech Ski-Club, the Czech Yacht Club, and the Czech Lawn Tennis Club. He shared in the founding of the Association of Skiers of...
The Czech Republic faces a growing shortage of professional drivers, with transport companies warning that the gap is now affecting both freight and passenger services. Industry representatives estimate that around 20,000 truck drivers and 5,000 bus drivers are currently missing from the labour market, and the situation shows little sign of easing. Efforts to attract more women into the profession, expand access to driving licences, and offer retraining programmes have so far failed to reverse the trend. Instead of stabilising, the shortage is deepening, according to the Česmad Bohemia Association of Car Transporters, which represents major road haulage companies. As a result, carriers are increasingly looking beyond the European Union. Česmad Bohemia has been in talks with Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik about simplifying the process for recruiting drivers from so-called third countries. The association argues that without faster and clearer rules, Czech transport risks falling behind neighbouring states. Employing drivers from non-EU countries is one of the few remaining options. However, heavy bureaucracy is a major obstacle. While similar procedures in Poland can take only a few weeks, the Czech system often stretches over several months, discouraging both employers and applicants. Some steps have already been taken. From January 1,...
The holiday season has ended, and it’s time to deal with your Christmas tree. Many people traditionally dispose of their trees on Epiphany. Here are five environmentally friendly and proper ways to handle your tree’s disposal—and what NOT TO DO. 1. Avoid the Trash Bin In urban areas, the simplest solution is to place your Christmas tree near a designated mixed waste bin or a container for sorted waste. If these bins are located in a courtyard or other restricted areas, take the tree to a publicly accessible collection point. Some municipalities provide special disposal locations to avoid tree piles on the streets, while others set specific collection days. Always check your local authority’s website for precise guidelines. However, don’t place the tree inside the trash bin or container—it can clog the space, making it unusable for others. Instead, leave it neatly nearby for collection. 2. Composting or Recycling Yards If you miss the designated collection days or prefer an alternative, you can transport the tree to a composting plant or recycling yard. Numerous facilities across the country accept Christmas trees for composting or shredding. You can locate nearby composting centers via local maps or municipal websites. 3. Reuse in...
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will review his predecessors’ initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine. He considers the initiative “a good thing” but demands a corruption check and will discuss it on January 7. As Babiš noted, the initiative regarding weapons for Ukraine is a “good thing,” but the Czech Republic must ensure that the project will be implemented without corruption. He added that currently, the main task is to stop the military conflict. According to Babiš, he first learned about the ammunition initiative at a meeting with the director of the Czech Agency for Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation on December 22, 2025. This issue is to be discussed on January 7 at a meeting of the Czech State Security Council. Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura spoke out against providing weapons to Ukraine, calling the war “senseless.” He stated that Czech pensioners’ money should not go to support “pro-war propaganda.” In response, Czech opposition deputies want to initiate a vote on the dismissal of SPD party leader Tomio Okamura from the post of Speaker of the lower house of parliament. Czech President Petr Pavel expressed concern about Tomio Okamura’s anti-Ukrainian statements. He stated that he would raise this issue for discussion...
The 2026 meteor season is shaping up to be one of the most favorable in recent years. Astronomers report that several major meteor showers will peak under near-ideal viewing conditions, including the Perseids in August, expected to reach their strongest levels in two decades. During most major meteor showers, moonlight will be minimal or absent, leaving skies dark enough to reveal even faint streaks that are usually lost in brighter conditions. August: Perseids in absolute darkness The standout moment will arrive in mid-August, when meteor counts are expected to reach levels not seen in roughly twenty years. But strong displays will also appear in spring, late autumn, and early winter, offering multiple chances to observe fast-moving debris as it burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. The August Perseids, the most widely followed meteor shower of the year, will peak on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13. With a new Moon falling at the same time, viewing conditions will be close to ideal. Observers under clear skies could see as many as 80 meteors per hour, making this the strongest Perseid display in two decades. Spring and Autumn: From the Lyrids to the Leonids Spring brings...
Prague Zoo Sees Its Strongest Attendance in a Decade Prague Zoo ended last year with 1.45 million visitors, marking its best result in ten years and its strongest performance since the pandemic. Zoo officials say interest was driven largely by young gorillas Mobi and Gaia, who quickly became one of the site’s main attractions. Attendance was also boosted by several new animals, including Achilles, a Sumatran tiger, and Oslo, a South African sea lion. The figures suggest that visitor numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Prague Public Transport Switches to Semi-Holiday Timetable Public transport in Prague has entered a semi-holiday operating mode from January 5 to March 1. During this period, intervals for trams, buses, and trolleybuses are longer by around 20 percent. The transport authority says the change reflects a seasonal decline in passenger numbers. Metro services remain unaffected, with trains running at standard intervals. IKEA Extends Collection of Used Pillows and Textiles IKEA Czech Republic has prolonged its recycling campaign for used pillows and bedding, which was originally due to end last year. The initiative will now continue until April 30. Customers can return sleep products from any manufacturer and material, as long as they are clean, dry,...
A devastating fire that broke out during New Year’s Eve celebrations at a bar in Switzerland has left more than 40 people dead and over a hundred others injured. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that a national of the Czech Republic was hurt in the blaze. While officials have not yet released details about the person’s age or the extent of their injuries, they confirmed that the individual is among those receiving medical care following the incident. The scale of the disaster has pushed Swiss authorities to seek international assistance. Switzerland has formally asked European Union member states to help treat patients suffering from severe burns and inhalation injuries. Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said the Czech Republic responded without delay, offering hospital capacity for patients requiring specialized treatment. Some of the injured are now being considered for transfer abroad, including to the burn unit at Královské Vinohrady University Hospital in Prague, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Central Europe. Many of those hospitalized are reported to be in critical condition, with serious airway damage caused by smoke and extreme heat. Near the destroyed Le Constellation bar, mourners have created an improvised...
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, winter swimmers from the Czech Winter Swimming Union will dive into the Vltava River on Three Kings Day. This takes place every year on January 6, at noon, under Charles Bridge, at the spot where St. John of Nepomuk was thrown into the water. The winter swimmers will dive into the Vltava from the deck of the Vodouch boat at the fifth bridge pier of Charles Bridge (counting from the Old Town side). The event, now held for the fifteenth year, combines endurance sport, historical symbolism, and a distinctly Czech sense of ritual. More than thirty swimmers are expected to take part this year, including several participants from abroad. The entry point lies near the fifth bridge pillar on the Old Town side of Charles Bridge. Participants will dive in from the deck of the boat Vodouch and swim a route measuring roughly two hundred meters downstream. Their destination is the pier beneath the last preserved arch of the former Judith Bridge, the medieval structure that preceded today’s Charles Bridge. Upon arrival, the swimmers will gather in the historic river space to share a warm punch traditionally prepared for ferry workers. The moment also serves...
Road Deaths Reach Historic Low Road safety figures brought more positive news. A total of 428 people were killed in traffic accidents last year, marking the second consecutive year with the lowest number of fatalities since 1961, when nationwide statistics were first recorded. Hundreds Released After Child Support Law Change A legal change at the start of the year has led to the release of 302 people previously imprisoned for failing to pay child support. Under the revised law, non-payment is now considered a criminal offence only if it places a child in extreme material hardship. As the year begins, the combination of political disputes, diplomatic reactions and domestic reforms suggests that developments in Czechia will continue to attract attention both at home and abroad. Analysts say GDP trends point to 2.5% growth in 2025 Analysts say developments in gross domestic product confirm that the Czech economy is heading towards growth of around 2.5% in 2025, up from about 1% the year before. According to revised data from the Czech Statistical Office, GDP rose by 2.8% year on year and 0.8% quarter on quarter in the third quarter. Ukrainian Ambassador Rejects Okamura’s Remarks Ukraine’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl...
When Prime Minister Andrej Babiš used his New Year’s address to suggest the creation of a Czech Flag Day, he likely expected a symbolic gesture of national unity. Instead, the proposal has revived an old and unresolved dispute rooted in the breakup of Czechoslovakia more than three decades ago. Babiš has said he wants March 30 to be marked as Czech Flag Day, recalling the moment in 1920 when the flag was formally adopted. Yet that date refers not to a Czech national symbol, but to the flag of Czechoslovakia — a state that ceased to exist in 1993. The distinction matters, particularly in Slovakia, where the legacy of the shared federation remains sensitive. When Czechoslovakia dissolved peacefully at the end of 1992, the federal parliament adopted a constitutional law governing the separation. The law was clear: neither successor state was permitted to use the former federation’s state symbols. This included the flag, which until that point represented both nations equally. Despite this, when the Czech Republic formally came into existence on January 1, 1993, it adopted a national flag identical in design to the former Czechoslovak banner. Slovakia objected at the time, arguing that the move violated the agreed...
The Ukrainian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, voiced sharp criticism of the statements by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, Tomio Okamura, voiced in his New Year’s address. He stressed that Okamura’s words indicate a position formed under the influence of Russian propaganda. “The insulting and hateful statements by Tomio Okamura about Ukraine and Ukrainians, voiced today in his New Year’s address, we regard as his personal position, formed, evidently, under the influence of Russian propaganda. The words he has used about my fellow citizens and Ukraine, in particular about the democratically elected leadership of the Ukrainian state, are unworthy and absolutely unacceptable. They contradict the principles of a democratic society and the values on which the Czech Republic rests as an integral part of the European community”, said Zvarych Zvarych expressed hope that state authorities and Czech civil society will provide due assessment of these statements and their alignment with the high public office held by Okamura. “I believe that our republic will jump off the Brussels train, which, despite warnings from the U.S. government, is heading toward World War III, – said Okamura. – Money flows in all directions, and everyone...
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