Czech news in brief for December 19: Friday's top afternoon headlines

Czechia on Friday joined Hungary and Slovakia in Brussels in refusing to provide guarantees for a €90 billion EU loan aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defense and economy through 2027, officials said. The decision followed a 15-hour EU summit and marks a shift under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s new government. The loan will proceed with backing from the bloc’s remaining members. Read full story here.

U.S. House Democrats released 70 new photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate Thursday, highlighting ties to Central Europe, including a Czech passport with redacted details and Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák alongside Epstein. The images, part of over 95,000 obtained by lawmakers, provide visual evidence of Lajčák’s proximity to Epstein, though the diplomat says their interactions were purely social and administrative. The release coincides with a U.S. federal deadline to publish remaining Epstein investigative files.

Czech authorities on Friday opened the final 10.1-kilometer section of the D1 motorway between Říkovice and Přerov, finishing the country’s oldest highway decades in the making. Construction began last year, costing nearly CZK 7 billion, and is expected to reduce truck traffic in Přerov by 70 percent. The project faced more than 20 lawsuits and required adjustments for local airports, demolished houses, and noise barriers. Transit relief and safety improvements are anticipated.

The Czech government plans to abolish landlord guarantees under the Housing Support Act, a key tool meant to encourage private rentals for the country’s roughly 160,000 people in housing need, reports Novinky.cz. Minister Zuzana Mrázová (ANO) cited budget concerns, while NGOs warn the change could hinder access to affordable apartments. Cities like Prague and Brno currently provide guarantees locally. A revised law is expected by June 30, 2026.

Prague Zoo is offering discounted admission at CZK 100 per person from Dec. 22 to January 4, including for visitors of all ages. The zoo will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with early closure of pavilions at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Guests can see baby gorillas, reindeer, camels, and the Ussuri tiger, enjoy heated pavilions, and attend special holiday programs like sea lion shows and feeding sessions. Prague City Tourism will also offer holiday entry to various monuments.