A spy network being built in Europe by Belarus was broken up by intelligence services from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, the Czech counterintelligence agency said Monday. The Czech agency, also known as BIS, said in a statement that a team of European agents discovered spies in several European countries from Belarus’ KGB security agency. BIS said that a former deputy head of Moldovan intelligence service SIS who handed over classified information to the KGB was among them. The Czechs also expelled a Belarusian agent who was operating under the cover of a diplomat. That person was given 72 hours to leave the Czech Republic, the Czech Foreign Ministry said Monday. The Czech agency said that Belarus managed to create the network because its diplomats are able to freely travel across European countries. “To successfully counter these hostile activities in Europe, we need to restrict the movement of accredited diplomats from Russia and Belarus within the Schengen (borderless) area,” BIS head Michal Koudelka said in a statement. The agency didn´t immediately offer more details. Romania´s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, said on Monday that it implemented an arrest warrant for a 47-year-old suspect on treason charges. The suspect had previously...
Roughly 80,000 Ukrainians applied for a new long-term residence permit in Czechia. Only 15,000 people—about one in five applicants—met the strict conditions set by the Interior Ministry. Those who qualify can now register online and book an appointment with immigration authorities. The program, launched on September 8, 2025, targets refugees who have been living in Czechia under temporary protection since the start of the war. To qualify, applicants had to prove they: have lived in the country for at least two years under temporary protection, hold a valid travel document, are financially self-sufficient, have no criminal record, maintain housing, hold continuous health insurance without debt, and do not rely on humanitarian payments. The Interior Ministry assessed eligibility using official state registers, treating families as single households. Who Did Not Qualify Out of nearly 47,000 households applying (representing 80,000 individuals), 35% failed to meet basic conditions such as health insurance coverage or proof of independence from welfare. Another 45% were disqualified due to insufficient household income. In the end, just 20% of households—around 15,000 people—passed the requirements. Among applicants: 81% were economically active adults, 18% were children. By region, the largest share of successful applicants lives in: Prague – 22.5%, Central...
Prague’s planned rail connection to Václav Havel Airport has moved forward after the state rail infrastructure manager Správa železnic (SŽ) received the final permit for the airport’s new underground railway station — the first of its kind in Czechia. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion targeted for 2030. The project will be financed through a public-private partnership (PPP), with costs estimated at 6.5 billion crowns. According to SŽ spokesperson Nela Eberl Friebová, the approval marks a turning point: “The permit allows us to move from planning to actual preparation for construction. Work will take about three years and will include not only the station itself but also new tracks connecting the airport with Ruzyně and Veleslavín.” The underground hub will feature two tracks with a double-sided platform, making transfers between trains and airport terminals straightforward. The design, developed in cooperation with Prague Airport, aims for functionality and a clean, modern look. Airport officials and SŽ have already signed a cooperation agreement to ensure the station meets international airport standards. The new station is just one element of the broader Prague–Airport–Kladno railway modernization, a project that includes about ten separate construction sites. Some upgrades are already finished, while...
Prague will host TEDxPragueCountdown: Future of Ecosystems on September 20–21 at CAMP Prague, bringing together experts and practitioners to discuss practical solutions for sustainable living. The two-day event aims to move beyond abstract plans and showcase real-world projects that are already making an impact across Europe. The first day, running from 1:00 to 11:00 PM, will feature eight speakers sharing experiences from implementing regenerative projects. Topics include the transformation of £430 million into sustainable investments, the use of mushrooms as packaging, and the cultivation of 55 vegetable varieties on a single Czech farm. Attendees will also hear how festivals can foster community development and get an update on climate science without extreme warnings or oversimplified optimism. The second day, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, participants can take part in workshops covering subjects such as circular economy practices and forest therapy, with a special morning session led by Zak Avery on building thriving communities. Speakers include Hana Sahulová Součková, a farmer demonstrating the economic viability of regenerative agriculture; David Šohaj Minařík, CEO of Myco, which produces sustainable packaging from mushrooms; Dr. Anna Kšírová of Doctors for Future, exploring the links between climate and health; Kateřina Eklová of Rethink Architecture, focusing...
Police in the Central Bohemian region detained a man on Sunday morning after he was caught driving a Formula-style racing car on the D4 highway. The unusual report first reached emergency line 158 shortly after 8 a.m., when a caller alerted authorities that a single-seater racing car had been spotted at a gas station near Dobříš. Not long after, another call came in confirming the car was heading down the D4. Several police patrols were dispatched immediately. Officers eventually located the vehicle in the village of Buk, near Milín. According to police spokeswoman Michaela Richterová, the driver initially refused to leave the car. “He was later identified as a 51-year-old man and taken to the police station in Příbram to provide an explanation,” she said. Police confirmed that the man declined to comment on the incident. The case has now been referred to administrative proceedings, where the driver faces a fine of several thousand crowns and a possible driving ban. Racing cars are not permitted on Czech roads, as they lack mandatory equipment such as license plates, indicators, and other features required by traffic law. This is not the first time a Formula-style car has appeared on the D4. In...
Dinner in the Sky returns until September 14! Slovak chef Peter Slačka will serve a crafted menu 40 meters above the city, suspended from a crane at Mrázovka in Prague 5. The experience begins at ground level, beneath the crane, where a long oval table is prepared with safety belts and ropes. The meal lasted roughly an hour and a half. The menu highlighted seasonal flavors: eggplant ceviche with herbs, dill kulajda with espuma, veal cheeks with Jerusalem artichoke puree and hazelnuts, and a raspberry crème brûlée with nitrogen smoke and mint. Vegetarian alternatives included roasted cauliflower with burnt apple. Each course was served by Slačka and his small team, moving carefully on the central platform of the table. Slačka, a chef with experience across Portugal, Sweden, Australia, and Great Britain, previously ran Michelin-starred kitchens and opened the Bratislava restaurant Baroza. He also created the menu for London’s Kwãnt bar, which appeared on a top 50 global bar list. Pricing ranges from 3,190 CZK to around 6,000 CZK, depending on the menu selection, and a new shorter option with dessert and prosecco is available for the first time. Dinner in the Clouds Menu – Lunch Ceviche: Tomato, Herbs from Beladice,...
Every day in my work as a real estate consultant, I see the same problem: Prague doesn’t have enough new apartments to meet demand. Buyers face record-high prices, yet properties continue to sell because demand remains strong. This imbalance is pushing owners and developers to explore creative solutions. One trend, common in Western Europe and the US but only now emerging in the Czech Republic, is converting office buildings and hotels into residential spaces. A clear example is the Trianon office building near Budějovická metro station. Built in 2009, it offers over 20,000 square meters of rental space and is currently occupied by Česká spořitelna employees. Once the bank moves its headquarters to Smíchov, Trianon will be empty. Its owner, the real estate fund Reico, is already considering whether to sell the building or transform it into apartments. The idea makes sense. In Prague 4, where Trianon is located, several new office projects are in the pipeline, creating strong competition for tenants. Converting Trianon into housing would better reflect market reality: Prague needs homes more than it needs additional offices. This isn’t the first example of such a conversion in the city, but it would be among the first involving...
Prague’s festive season will begin earlier than many might expect. The first of the city’s Christmas markets is set to welcome visitors on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Náměstí Míru. Organizers confirmed that the market will run every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closing on December 24, Christmas Eve. Stalls will offer seasonal food, drinks, gifts, and traditional crafts, continuing the long-standing tradition that makes Prague one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. In addition, visitors can admire a display of traditional arts and crafts, such as sword making, or enjoy the extensive additional programme while humming along to the sound of Christmas carols. While Náměstí Míru opens the festive season, the city’s largest markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square will launch later, on Saturday, November 29. These two central markets, heavily visited by both locals and tourists, will remain open well into the new year, operating until January 6, 2026. The Christmas markets have been repeatedly named among the world’s best ones by CNN Travel or European Best Destination web pages. The Telegraph, The Independent, Travel Europe, or Skyscanner tend to praise them too. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Prague’s Riegrovy sady park could soon undergo a major transformation. Prague 2 officials have outlined plans for a new outdoor sports field, a multifunctional hall, and the complete renovation of the popular U Draka playground. The land designated for the new sports field is currently occupied by two temporary structures — the Ice Magic ice sculpture gallery and the Containall sports and cultural center. Both have been deemed unauthorized, and Prague 2 has called on operators to dismantle them in the coming months. Deputy Mayor Jan Recman (ODS) explained that the revitalization will be carried out in two key phases. The first focuses on modernizing existing areas, particularly sports grounds that have long been in need of repair. “We want Riegrovy sady to remain a park for everyone, a place of rest and gathering across generations. But until the land is under our administration, our hands are tied,” Recman told residents. City officials are considering several underground parking levels beneath the new hall, with access from Polská Street, to help ease pressure on Vinohrady’s busy streets. Managing noise, events, and public space Alongside construction plans, Prague 2 is preparing new rules for how Riegrovy sady is used. Residents have long...
Manifesto Market Anděl is marking its 4th anniversary this month with a series of events mixing food, music, and drinks. The market is now fully covered for the season, so visitors can enjoy the program regardless of the weather. 12 September | Mexican Independence Day The market will host a Mexican-themed evening with live Mariachi music from 6 PM, followed by a DJ set from 8 PM. Alebrijes will fire up the grill for a special Mexican BBQ and serve frozen Margaritas. Visitors in sombreros or traditional Mexican clothing can look forward to a free shot. 13 September | 4th Anniversary Party Manifesto celebrates its birthday with an evening of DJs and live saxophone performances. The lineup includes DJ Scab from 4 PM, followed by Stas Yan and DJ Rodrigue Ardilha at 6 PM, and Jailesax closing the night from 8 PM to 10 PM. 17 September | Salsa and Bachata Class Hanser Estenoz Dance Studio will lead free open classes in salsa and bachata from 6 PM. No registration is needed, and everyone is welcome—solo dancers, couples, and beginners. 22–28 September | Negroni Week For a week, visitors can enjoy Negroni cocktails and variations, plus live music. A special...
Shared e-scooters and bikes from Lime will soon come under tighter control in Prague. The company has begun testing Captur, an artificial intelligence system that evaluates whether a scooter has been parked properly before a ride can be officially ended. The process is simple: at the end of each journey, the rider must take a photo of the scooter. Captur then analyzes the image in real time. If the machine blocks a sidewalk, building entrance, or another public space, the rider receives an immediate warning and cannot finish the ride until the scooter is moved. According to Lime, the aim is to reduce conflicts over abandoned scooters in Prague’s busy streets. “We want our vehicles to serve the city without getting in the way of people who do not use them,” explained Václav Petr, Lime’s general manager for Czechia and Hungary. “Thanks to Captur, the feedback comes instantly. Riders see the problem at the moment of parking, when they can still correct it, instead of waiting for one of our employees to review the photo.” Early results from more than 70 cities worldwide show that improper parking cases dropped by about 15 percent after Captur was introduced. The number of...
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Government Office will open the doors of Kramář’s Villa—the official residence of the Czech Prime Minister—for the second time this year. This will be the last opportunity before the first Saturday in October—which is October 4, 2025—to visit this architectural landmark. Visitors can explore both the elegantly appointed interiors and the surrounding gardens. Highlights include: The Byzantine-style dining room, rich in detail The Prime Minister’s study and wood-paneled billiard room Opulent salons, a winter garden, and a striking decorated staircase A panoramic view across the Vltava River, its bridges, and the historic city center Constructed between 1911 and 1915 from designs by Viennese architect Friedrich Ohmann, Kramář’s Villa combines neo-Baroque architecture with Art Nouveau elements. A major renovation in the 1990s restored the villa for its modern role as the Prime Minister’s residence and venue for state ceremonies. Visiting Details Tours with expert commentary begin at 9:00 a.m.; the last group departs at 4:00 p.m. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
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