• MP Turek apologizes to ministry staff over “parasites” remark
    04/25/2026

    MP Filip Turek (Motorists) has apologized to ministry staff if they were offended by his remarks about “parasites.” Turek says that in the statement, criticized by, among others, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) and trade unions, he was referring to activists, not ministry employees. He said this during a debate on TV Nova today.

    According to the Blesk news website, Turek recently said at an event marking the anniversary of the online TV station XTV that ministries led by Motorists were full of “progressivist, left-wing, sometimes green, sometimes other parasites,” and that the Motorists had decided to “gradually eliminate” them.

    In today’s debate, he confirmed making those statements but rejected the claim that he was talking about ministry employees. He said he meant activists and that his remarks had been misinterpreted. “I apologize to all ministry staff if they were affected,” he said.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Stanislav Přibyl becomes new Prague Archbishop
    04/25/2026

    Former Litoměřice bishop Stanislav Přibyl became the Archbishop of Prague today after the papal bull was read during a Mass at St. Vitus Cathedral. He then took his seat in the chair symbolizing the archiepiscopal see. He succeeds Jan Graubner in the role. Přibyl was appointed archbishop in February by Pope Leo XIV. The Mass was preceded by a liturgical procession from the Archbishop’s Palace, and the largest bell in the Czech Republic, Zikmund, was rung.

    Graubner, who had served as Archbishop of Olomouc for 30 years, became Archbishop of Prague in early July 2022 following the departure of Dominik Duka. Two years ago, he submitted his resignation to the Pope upon turning 75. The 54-year-old Přibyl now takes over leadership of the Prague Archdiocese as its 38th archbishop and 26th Primate of Bohemia.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Brick-and-mortar stores in Czechia will be closed on May 8, online stores will operate
    04/25/2026

    With a few exceptions, physical shops will be closed on May 8, which falls on a Friday this year. However, online supermarkets and delivery services will operate without restrictions. According to the law, stores larger than 200 square meters—such as large supermarkets, DIY stores, or furniture retailers—must remain closed on Victory Day (May 8). Exceptions on this day include gas stations, pharmacies, and shops in locations with a high concentration of travelers, such as airports and train stations.

    This rule does not apply to Labour Day on May 1, when shops will operate as usual. In connection with the extended weekends, retailers expect increased demand for barbecue ingredients.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Municipalities may be required to ensure the neutering of abandoned cats
    04/25/2026

    Municipalities might have to cover the costs of neutering abandoned and feral cats. In addition, they would be responsible for caring for abandoned domestic animals that are not feral and have no owner or anyone interested in them. A group of coalition MPs led by Lucie Šafránková (SPD) wants to enshrine these new obligations for municipalities in an amendment, which also, for example, increases fines for animal abuse offenses and extends the duration of bans on animal breeding.

    According to the proposers, the suggested changes are based on the government’s policy statement, in which the cabinet committed, among other things, to strengthening animal protection and improving living conditions for animals.
    Author: Romana Grajcarová

  • Weather forecast
    04/24/2026

    Saturday will be cloudy to partly cloudy, with more cloud in the north and northeast later in the day. Highs will reach 17 to 21 degrees Celsius, around 22 in southern Moravia, and about 14 degrees in the mountains.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

  • China imposes export sanctions on Czech firms Excalibur and Omnipol
    04/24/2026

    China has placed several EU entities, including Czech arms companies Excalibur Army and Omnipol, on its export sanctions list, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The move also affects the Czech branch of SpaceKnow and the Aerospace Research and Test Establishment.

    Companies on the list are barred from receiving dual-use goods from Chinese exporters, meaning items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

    The Chinese ministry said Beijing had informed the European Union in advance through an export control dialogue mechanism, adding that the measures do not affect normal trade relations between China and the EU.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

  • Suspect in Pardubice arson attack extradited from Bulgaria to Czechia
    04/24/2026

    A person detained in Bulgaria in connection with an arson attack in Pardubice has been extradited to Czechia. Police are now carrying out criminal proceedings following the transfer, which took place under a European arrest warrant, prosecutors said.

    The fire broke out on March 20 at the premises of LPP Holding, causing damage worth hundreds of millions of crowns. Authorities have detained ten suspects in the case across several countries.

    Five were arrested in Czechia, one in Bulgaria, three in Poland and one in Slovakia. Several suspects are already in custody in Czechia. All face charges related to terrorism and could receive sentences of up to 20 years or exceptional penalties.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

  • German interior minister to attend Sudeten German congress in Brno
    04/24/2026

    Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt will attend the Sudeten German congress in Brno in May, a spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry has confirmed. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder has also announced he will take part. The gathering will run from May 22 to 25 and will be held in Czechia for the first time.

    The congress is organised by the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft and was invited to Brno by the organisers of the Meeting Brno.

    The planned event has drawn mixed reactions in Czechia, with critics warning it could reopen historical tensions linked to the post-war expulsion of ethnic Germans, while supporters see it as a step towards dialogue and reconciliation.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

  • Unions and STAN condemn Turek’s remarks about civil servants
    04/24/2026

    Czech trade unions are demanding an apology from MP Filip Turek after he described state employees as “parasites”. Union leader Josef Středula said at the opening of a two-day congress of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions that such language has no place in politics.

    Turek made the remarks at an event held by media organisation XTV last weekend, where he said his party was carrying out a “rat extermination” at four ministries it controls, referring to the removal of officials he described as progressive, leftist or green. Ministers from the junior coalition party have dismissed a number of officials since taking office earlier this year.

    The Mayors and Independents party also criticised the comments. Its leader Vít Rakušan said Turek should be removed as government commissioner, warning that such rhetoric echoes language used by the Nazis.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

  • ČEZ and Rolls-Royce sign deal to advance modular reactor project
    04/24/2026

    Representatives of ČEZ, the Czech state-controlled energy group, have signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce SMR to begin preparatory work on small modular reactors. The first unit in Czechia is expected to be built at Temelín Nuclear Power Station.

    The deal, signed at the Industry and Trade Ministry, focuses on setting up an investment model and project financing, and could lead to further joint projects.

    ČEZ has held a roughly 20 percent stake in Rolls-Royce SMR since last year.
    Author: Ruth Fraňková

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