• 04/18/2026

    About 27 percent of ticks collected in Prague parks and green areas in 2025 were infected with Lyme disease, slightly more than a year earlier, according to the city’s public health authority. The highest share of infected ticks was found in Hostivař Forest Park and the Satalice game reserve, while the lowest was recorded in Klánovice Forest. Health officials say the parasites commonly transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, though only the latter has a vaccine. Authorities advise using repellents and checking the body after time outdoors. Ticks are increasingly active in urban environments due to favourable microclimates and abundant animal hosts.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    Hundreds of visitors streamed to Prague Castle from early Saturday morning to explore normally inaccessible state rooms during a special open day. People queued for hours before the 9 a.m. opening, with lines stretching across Hradčanské Square. The free event allows access to ceremonial spaces used for major state occasions, including the Spanish Hall and Throne Hall. Visitors can also enter sites that usually charge admission, such as St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Lane. Organizers expect attendance to reach around 10,000 people. The highlight is the rare opening of the Renaissance Belvedere in the Royal Garden, which will soon close for renovation.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    A court in Pardubice is set to decide on pre-trial custody for an American woman charged over a March arson attack on the LPP Holding arms company. LPP Holding is involved in the production and supply of military equipment, and authorities are treating the fire as a terrorist attack linked to the defence industry. The blaze broke out on March 20 at the company’s premises, causing damage estimated in the hundreds of millions of crowns. Five suspects have already been remanded in custody in connection with the case. The suspect was arrested in Slovakia and handed over to Czech authorities on Thursday. The motion for detention was filed by the High Public Prosecutor's Office in Prague. Investigators have so far detained ten people across several countries, including Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Bulgaria.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    The Czech military plans to acquire around 3,000 drones by 2028 as part of its modernization drive, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (Motorists) said during an international communications exercise in South Bohemia. According to the minister, five public tenders are currently underway to secure the equipment. He added that NATO data shows Czechia among the fastest modernizing armed forces. Zůna stressed a broader goal of replacing human labour with advanced technology on the battlefield. He also noted that while Czechia is unlikely to play a major role in large-scale conflicts, it aims to build a highly sophisticated, technology-driven military. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said defence spending has increased significantly year-on-year, while debate continues over whether the country meets NATO’s 2 percent GDP target.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    Regular public transport has started operating on the newly opened Dvorecký Bridge in Prague, linking Prague 4 and Prague 5. Several tram lines along with bus routes, now cross the bridge, which opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Friday but remains closed to cars. The new connection is expected to ease traffic by diverting buses from the busy Barrandov Bridge and shortening travel times. However, route changes have sparked criticism, particularly over the temporary cancellation of tram line 14, opposed by Prague 7. Construction of the bridge began in 2022 and was delayed by geological complications, with costs rising to nearly 2 billion crowns.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    Castles, chateaux and historic landmarks across Czechia are offering unusual tours and access to normally closed areas to mark the International Day for Monuments. Events organized by the National Heritage Institute continue at some locations through Sunday. Visitors to Bouzov Castle can explore its northern cellar, while Ratibořice Chateau hosts a themed tour marking the Piccolomini family anniversary. The Sázava Monastery offers family-friendly excursions indoors and outdoors. Švihov Castle opens its restored chapel and hidden palace areas, while Dačice Chateau reveals its cellars. Bezděz Castle and sites such as Lemberk and Slatiňany also grant access to rarely seen spaces.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/18/2026

    Czech forward David Pastrňák has been voted the owner of the best nickname in the NHL, according to a survey conducted by the NHL Players' Association. His widely used nickname “Pasta” received 13.5 percent of the vote from fellow players. Behind Pastrňák were Patrick Kane (“Showtime”), Ryan O'Reilly (“Factor”), and Liam O'Brien (“Spicy Tuna”). Pastrňák also ranked second for fashion style, finishing behind William Nylander, while fellow Czech Martin Nečas placed fifth. In other categories, Sidney Crosby was seen as the most likely future coach, while Nathan MacKinnon was judged to have the toughest training regime. Players also favored Houston as the most desirable city for a potential NHL expansion team.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 04/17/2026

    Markéta Vondroušová, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, is facing a potential ban of up to four years after failing to provide a sample during an out-of-competition doping control last December,  iSport.cz reported. Vondroušová argues that the officer from Germany’s anti-doping agency did not follow standard procedures during the attempted test on December 3. As a result, she refused to let the official into her apartment.

    Currently ranked 46th in the world, Vondroušová has not been provisionally suspended. Despite ongoing shoulder issues this season, she plans to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open and continue through the full clay-court campaign.

    Last weekend, she also took part in a Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie in Switzerland, where she and Tereza Valentová lost in doubles.

  • 04/17/2026

    The Czech Republic is prepared to offer a passive radar system to help secure the Strait of Hormuz once the situation in the region stabilizes, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Friday. Speaking to journalists, Babiš said the proposal would be discussed during a videoconference with Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and other partners.

    The Czech prime minister said at a press briefing with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday that the Czech Republic was ready to offer assistance.  “I don’t want to go into details. It is an area where we are strong—our industry is strong, our technology is strong. I believe this will please our partners and perhaps also President Donald Trump, that the Czechs are putting this offer on the table,” Babiš said.

    The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil exports from the Persian Gulf, is currently effectively blocked due to the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized other countries for not doing more to help reopen the passage.

  • 04/17/2026

    Four Czech nationals have been detained in Brazil for two months over the alleged smuggling of protected cacti and seeds, with court proceedings now underway, the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday.

    They were arrested by environmental authorities and federal police at São Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, where customs officers found more than 100 cacti and about 2,000 seeds from Rio Grande do Sul hidden in their luggage.

    The Czech and Slovak Cactus Growers Association has expressed concern over the charges. Botanist Libor Kunte said the trip aimed to document habitats and collect samples for DNA analysis of the Wigginsia genus, noting the plants have little commercial value and are commonly available.

    The Czech Consulate General in São Paulo remains in contact with the detainees. No further details have been released.

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