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

Hundreds of demonstrators marched to Prague Castle on Thursday to deliver more than 175,000 signatures supporting President Petr Pavel and his defense of democratic values, organizers said. The procession, organized by the Million Moments for Democracy association, coincided with criticism of the newly forming government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Participants carried candles and lights in a symbolic show of support. Organizers said the appeal backs Pavel’s pro-democracy stance and vows continued civic oversight of the government.

Prague transport officials said Pankrác metro station on Line C will reopen to passengers Friday at 2 p.m. after nearly a year of reconstruction to modernize facilities and prepare a transfer to the future Line D. Workers replaced escalators and elevators and completed structural work, officials said. While minor construction will continue, it will not disrupt service. The closure had prompted expanded tram services in the area to handle diverted passengers.

Czech health insurers said Thursday that emergency rooms outside hospitals will be sharply reduced nationwide from January to curb misuse and cut costs, shifting care mainly to hospital emergency departments. Sixteen adult emergency rooms will close, while pediatric services will operate at hospital children’s wards and dental emergency care will rotate or be centralized by region. Insurers said facilities with very low patient numbers were deemed inefficient. Updated lists of emergency services and hours will be published by insurers by Jan. 1.

Astronomical winter will begin Sunday afternoon in the Czech Republic with the winter solstice, bringing the longest night of the year, astronomers said. The solstice will occur at 4:03 p.m. local time, after which days will slowly begin to lengthen. Sunset will come around 4 p.m. Saturday, with sunrise near 8 a.m. Sunday. Moonless nights around the solstice are expected to provide favorable conditions for stargazing.

Director Martin Scorsese is planning to film parts of his new thriller What Happens at Night in Prague as early as February, Czech media reported Friday, citing location scouting and industry sources. The Apple-backed film would star Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence and is set in a wintry European city.

If confirmed, it would mark Scorsese’s first feature shot in the Czechia and rank among the country’s highest-profile productions.