Czech news in brief for December 30: Tuesday's top morning headlines

Train services from Prague’s main station to Smíchov and Vršovice have been suspended following the discovery of a body in a railway yard. The deceased, a foreign national born in 2002, was found early Tuesday. Authorities have closed the affected tracks while investigations are underway. Commuters are advised to seek alternative routes as rail operations remain disrupted.

Motorists’ chairman Petr Macinka says he expects Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to nominate Filip Turek, the party’s honorary president, as environment minister despite President Petr Pavel’s reservations. Turek, the only candidate, has faced criticism over past racist and homophobic social media posts and controversy regarding his assets and a previous threat incident. “This is Andrej Babiš’s government, it is not Petr Pavel’s government. The motorists have a clear, single candidate for environment minister, and that is Filip Turek,” Macinka told Czech Television.

Some employee benefits in Czechia must be used before the end of the year or they may expire, ČT24 reported. From January, tax-free limits for benefits such as meals, leisure, and health contributions will rise. Meal allowances remain the most common benefit, received by about 1.2 million workers. Interest is also growing in travel vouchers, typically valid for two years, while cash meal lump sums are gaining popularity.

People setting off fireworks in newly prohibited zones in Czechia face fines of up to 10,000 crowns on the spot and 100,000 in administrative proceedings. A law effective since December bans most fireworks within a 250-meter radius of hospitals, senior homes, animal shelters, zoos, and farms. Police will monitor compliance on New Year’s Eve, though enforcement may be difficult. The Ministry of Agriculture has published a map of restricted areas.

The annual Epiphany charity fundraising campaign begins Jan. 1 across Czechia, marking its 26th year. Volunteer carollers dressed as the Three Kings will collect donations through Jan. 14 to support people in need. Donations can also be made online, by text message or via collection boxes. Last year’s campaign raised a record CZK 184.5 million, with the majority of funds being returned to local communities and humanitarian aid projects.