Czech news in brief for December 15: Monday's top morning headlines

President Pavel will today appoint Andrej Babiš as Czech prime minister, returning him to power after nearly four years. His new cabinet, including ANO, SPD, and Motorists ministers, will hold a first technical meeting at Straka Academy before assuming office gradually. ANO will have eight seats, SPD three, and Motorists four. The cabinet holds a 108-seat Chamber majority and is expected to seek confidence on Jan. 13. Filip Turek’s appointment remains uncertain.

Amid heavy police security, a traditional Hanukkah gathering took place at the Rudolfinum Sunday, organized by Chabad Prague. Attendees, including local officials, prayed for victims of a deadly attack on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration that killed 16 and injured 40. Speakers emphasized resilience, solidarity, and the holiday’s theme of light over darkness, calling for courage and support for the Jewish community and Israel in the face of rising violence.

Czechia will continue experiencing temperature inversions, with daytime highs mostly up to 5°C and nighttime lows below zero. Drizzle and occasional freezing fog are expected, particularly in low-lying areas. Thursday may bring temporary clearing and slightly warmer conditions, with highs near 9°C in some regions, but clouds and light rain will return over the weekend. Light precipitation and fog will remain sporadic throughout the week, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said.

Czech municipalities are raising cash bonuses for newborns to counter depopulation and low birth rates. Towns including Brumov-Bylnice, Jeseník and Valašské Klobouky now offer up to 10,000 crowns, while Most pays 20,000. Benefits often require permanent residency. Some towns instead offer fee waivers or vouchers, and a few, citing budget pressures, have cut payments after earlier increases.

Czech supermarket chains are introducing weekly “quiet hours” to make shopping calmer for people with autism, seniors and families with children. Stores dim lights, switch off music and deploy trained staff. Globus runs Blue Hours nationwide on Tuesdays, while Tesco offers Quiet Hours on Mondays. Experts and customers report reduced stress and wider benefits, and similar low-sensory initiatives are spreading to public events. Other retailers are watching demand but have not joined yet.