Czech news in brief for February 12: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

President Petr Pavel is scheduled to speak at the Munich Security Conference, where he will join a panel discussion focusing on the global rise of populism. The President intends to highlight the risks that nationalist movements pose to international security and European unity. The conference serves as a key platform for Czech leadership to coordinate with Western allies on democratic resilience and ongoing support for regional stability.

A one-day strike by Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, including several key connections to and from Prague. The industrial action, centered on disputes over pensions and working conditions, has grounded all mainline Lufthansa services at major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Travelers at Václav Havel Airport are advised to check their flight status, as disruptions may persist into Friday.

Data from the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) reveals that the average adult in the Czech Republic is now overweight. According to the latest findings, 47 percent of men and one-third of women exceed healthy weight limits, with the average Body Mass Index (BMI) reaching 25.2. Health officials attribute the trend to sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits, noting that one-fifth of the male population is now classified as obese.

Staroměstská metro station faced a month-long closure after a fire severely damaged its escalators. Police identified a group of six men, aged 20 to 23, after security footage showed one individual discarding a lit object—reportedly a cigarette—into the escalator mechanism. The incident caused a million-crown blaze, forcing the evacuation of 80 passengers. While the station has since reopened, the suspects face charges of negligent public endangerment, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Public satisfaction with Czechia’s membership in the European Union has reached 57 percent, the highest level recorded in 15 years, according to a new STEM agency poll. The data suggests a steady increase in pro-EU sentiment following recent regional security challenges. While a majority of residents now view membership positively, the survey notes that skepticism remains high regarding the adoption of the euro and specific political integration policies.