• 10/21/2026

    The future of defence will depend on how quickly countries can adopt new technologies, President Petr Pavel said at the opening of the Future Forces Forum in Prague on Wednesday. He stressed the need for closer cooperation between governments and the defence industry, as well as greater public preparedness for security threats.

    According to Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček, the defence industry is becoming a new pillar of the Czech economy, alongside traditional sectors such as car manufacturing and energy. He called for investment in energy security, cyber protection and artificial intelligence, as well as closer cooperation between large companies, smaller businesses and research institutions.

    Author: Ruth Fraňková
  • 10/21/2026

    The Czech MEP Kateřina Konečná has joined the Patriots for Europe group at the European Parliament, she announced on social media on Wednesday. The former leader of the Czech Communist Party had previously not been a member of any group.

    Patriots for Europe is the third-largest group at the European Parliament.  It also includes Czech parties ANO and the Motorists, France’s National Rally, Hungary’s Fidesz and other right-wing, nationalist and Eurosceptic parties.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/21/2026

    Slavia Prague drew 2:2 away with Turkey’s Fenerbache in the group stage of football’s Champions League on Tuesday evening. With the score at 2:1 to the hosts the Czech side found the net in the 90th minute to earn their first point after three group games.

    Slavia have now played 22 Champions League games without a win since 2007. Their next game in the competition is at home to Arsenal in a fortnight’s time.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    Czechia’s National Security Council took note of a new strategy for the country’s army at a meeting on Tuesday. The cabinet will discuss it next week, Miroslav Hlaváč, chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, told reporters after the roughly three-hour session.

    The document, set to be in place until 2040, outlines the priorities for building the armed forces, their future structure and the development of capabilities necessary for the defence of the Czech Republic and the fulfilment of alliance commitments. It will replace a strategy put in place by the previous government.

    The National Security Council meeting was also attended by President Petr Pavel.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    Moscow’s ambassador to Prague has said she would like to bring military experts to the Czech Republic to explain Russia’s actions in its war on Ukraine, Novinky.cz reported on Tuesday. Anna Ponomaryova made the comment last week at a meeting at the Prague headquarters of the Communist Party, the news site said.

    She was responding to a question from a Czech supporter of Russia, who asked why Moscow had only recently begun bombing Kyiv’s major bridges across the Dnipro River, Novinky.cz wrote.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    A broad coalition not including government leaders ANO has been agreed in Brno following recent municipal elections. Jakub Hruška of winners the Christian Democrats will lead a city government that also includes the Mayors, an alliance of the Civic Democrats, TOP 09 and independents and three other parties. A coalition agreement is due to be signed on Friday.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    Awards were presented at the gala opening of the annual Prix Bohemia festival of radio in Olomouc on Monday evening. Actress Magdaléna Borová received a Radio Thálie prize for her performance in an audio adaptation of Scenes from a Marriage. Actor and director Miroslav Krobot was presented with the Hana Maciuchová Prize, and Lada Klokočníková and Eva Ješutová were inducted into the Czech Radio Hall of Fame.

    Prix Bohemia, which is organised by Czech Radio, runs until Thursday.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    It should be mainly overcast in Czechia on Wednesday, with an average high temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. On Thursday temperatures will fall to around 9 degrees Celsius.

    Author: Ian Willoughby
  • 10/20/2026

    A historic Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe fighter aircraft that served with the Czechoslovak No. 312 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II has returned to the Czech Republic. The aircraft, built in 1945, was officially unveiled at Točná Airport in Prague on Monday.

    Visitors to the event also had the opportunity to see another legendary British fighter in flight, the Hawker Hurricane. Both aircraft are closely associated with the service of Czechoslovak airmen during World War II.

    President Petr Pavel described the Spitfire's return as a tribute to those who flew these aircraft and helped keep them operational. He stressed the importance of preserving the stories of the people who served in them.

    British Ambassador to the Czech Republic Matt Field said the history of the Czechoslovak RAF squadrons reflected the courage and struggle for freedom that united the two nations. He added that it was important to remember both the pilots who flew the Spitfires and the values they defended.

  • 10/20/2026

    The government has unanimously approved an amendment to the rules governing the funding and professional standards of teaching assistants. Education Minister Robert Plaga, nominated by ANO, said the changes are intended to address ineffective aspects of inclusive education, particularly the widespread allocation of teaching assistants to individual pupils.

    The amendment incorporated proposed changes by the junior coalition partiess, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists’ party, who are opposed to the concept of inclusive education.

    The Motorists secured several changes, including a provision requiring educational and psychological counselling centres to operate according to catchment areas.

    The amendment is expected to come into force in 2027.

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