• Czech NHL players in spotlight as playoffs intensify
    04/28/2026

    Czech players again played key roles in the NHL playoffs, though with mixed fortunes. Goaltender Daniel Vladař conceded a decisive and unusual goal as his Philadelphia side lost 2–3 in Pittsburgh, allowing the series to tighten to 3–2. The puck rebounded off the boards and deflected off Vladař into his own net, marking another difficult moment after a previous costly error. Meanwhile, Karel Vejmelka faced heavy pressure as Utah lost 4–5 in overtime to Vegas despite a remarkable comeback from 0–3. Forward Tomáš Hertl featured for the Golden Knights, contributing limited ice time as the series was levelled.
    Author: Vít Pohanka

  • Czechs fear energy price rises, turn to long-term savings
    04/28/2026

    Czechs are increasingly worried about rising energy prices amid global geopolitical tensions, with nearly half of households planning savings measures, according to a survey by Ipsos for ČEZ. Interest is shifting toward long-term solutions such as solar panels, heat pumps and more efficient boilers. At the same time, many households are seeking advice from suppliers on how to reduce consumption. Concerns about international conflict remain high and are influencing expectations of further price increases. The survey also shows growing awareness of new energy trends, including electricity sharing and storage, although knowledge of dynamic tariffs and community energy remains limited.
    Author: Vít Pohanka

  • Beer production in Czechia falls as drinking habits shift
    04/28/2026

    Czech breweries produced slightly less than 20 million hectolitres of beer last year, a drop of 4.3 percent year-on-year, according to the Czech Beer and Malt Association. The decline reflects lower exports, changing lifestyles and a shift away from alcohol consumption. Industry representative Tomáš Slunečko said Czechs increasingly favour moderation and quality over quantity. This trend is reflected in the continued rise of non-alcoholic beer, which reached 1.68 million hectolitres, up four percent. Overall consumption also fell, with average intake at 121 litres per person. Drinking is increasingly moving away from pubs, while similar trends are seen across Europe.
    Author: Vít Pohanka

  • PM Babiš continues Central Asia trip with Kazakhstan talks
    04/28/2026

    Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) is travelling from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, where he is due to meet his counterpart Olzhas Bektenov in Astana. The visit includes a business forum and a tour of an artificial intelligence research centre, with Industry Minister Karel Havlíček (also ANO) accompanying the delegation. Energy is expected to feature prominently, as Babiš has signalled interest in oil supplies. Kazakhstan is one of the European Union’s key suppliers, ranking second after the United States. The trip will continue with talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before Babiš heads to Uzbekistan to meet Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
    Author: Vít Pohanka

  • FM Macinka calls for equal EU-ASEAN partnership
    04/28/2026

    Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists' Party) has urged the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to build a genuinely balanced partnership, reflecting Asia’s growing economic weight. Speaking at a joint meeting in Brunei, he highlighted ASEAN’s rapid development and the global shift toward Asia. Macinka stressed stronger connectivity in transport, digital networks and people-to-people ties, pointing to the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. He also called for cooperation on resilient supply chains, especially in critical raw materials and advanced industries. According to him, recent crises show globalization must adapt, creating new opportunities for closer EU-ASEAN collaboration.
    Author: Vít Pohanka

  • Czech Republic seeks 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan
    04/28/2026

    The Czech Republic aims to import two billion cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan. Deliveries could begin between 2028 and 2029, Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček said during a visit to Azerbaijan today. The agreement has not yet been signed, but the contract has been promised and is well on track, he added. Shortly before, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said that energy company ČEZ is pursuing the gas supplies.

    Gas consumption in the Czech Republic rose by 6.5% year-on-year to a total of 7.2 billion cubic meters last year, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Office.

    According to Havlíček, the annual cost of the gas would be around CZK 20 billion, depending on the length of the contract. To secure a favorable price, the minister said the Czech Republic would likely need to commit to a contract lasting 10 to 15 years. Azerbaijan currently supplies gas to ten EU countries; the Czech Republic would become the eleventh.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Customs detain group suspected of meth production and distribution in Prague
    04/27/2026

    Customs officers, together with police, detained and charged eight members of an organized group this month, suspected of producing methamphetamine and subsequently selling it in Prague and other cities across the Czech Republic. According to investigators, the Czech suspects imported substances needed for drug production from Poland and then manufactured the methamphetamine in a Prague apartment.

    Given the scale and organization of the criminal activity, the accused face up to 18 years in prison if convicted. Four of them are currently in custody, customs spokesperson Martina Kaňková announced today.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Finance Minister Schillerová: Fuel margin controls and diesel tax cut to continue
    04/27/2026

    Fuel margin regulation and the reduction of excise duty on diesel will continue in May, Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO) announced on the social network X. According to her, the government approved the measure unanimously today. She did not provide further details, which are expected at a press conference.

    “Together with margin monitoring, this is a proven package thanks to which drivers have saved up to 400 crowns on a full tank and will continue to save,” Schillerová said.

    The government had planned to replace the measures from the beginning of May with a law regulating fuel prices, but it is not yet clear whether the bill will be signed by President Petr Pavel by Thursday.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Weather forecast
    04/27/2026

    Partly cloudy to cloudy. In the afternoon and evening, cloud cover will decrease. High temperatures will range from 14°C to 19°C, with around 13°C in places in the northeast.

  • Police called to 257 overdoses in Czechia last year, cases increased
    04/27/2026

    Last year, police in Czechia were called to 257 cases of overdoses involving illegal drugs, psychomodulating substances, or psychoactive medications. That is about 90 more cases than the previous year. A total of 111 cases resulted in death, compared to 77 fatalities a year earlier. However, last year’s data may be more accurate than before, said Lucie Šmoldasová from the National Drug Headquarters. She also noted that these figures include only cases involving police, and the real number of poisonings was likely much higher.

    The news server Novinky.cz recently reported a significant increase in cannabinoid overdoses in Prague. In 2023, Prague emergency services recorded around 500 such cases; in 2024, the number rose to 820, and last year it exceeded 1,000. This year, in less than the first quarter, there have already been more cases than in the whole of 2023.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

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