Czech news in brief for February 22: Sunday's top afternoon headlines

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has expanded its flood warning to include parts of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, citing expected rainfall and snowmelt due to unusually warm temperatures. The warning now also covers upper stretches of several rivers, with the alert valid from Sunday evening until further notice. A separate ice warning remains in effect for parts of Moravia until Sunday afternoon due to freezing precipitation.

A day after winning Olympic bronze in Milan, Czech biathlete Tereza Voborníková said she still cannot fully believe her achievement. The 25-year-old claimed third place in the women’s 12.5 km mass start at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite exhaustion from the race and overnight celebrations at the Czech House, she plans to attend the closing ceremony in Verona today before returning to World Cup competition.

A life-size replica of an Iranian-made Shahed drone displayed in Ústí nad Labem was destroyed Saturday evening by an unknown man, shortly after being installed to mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The exhibit, organized by A Gift for Putin, had stood on Mírové Square. Organizers said the attacker appeared intoxicated and that the act was likely not politically motivated. Similar replicas remain on display in other Czech cities.

Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček said up to CZK 4 billion could be allocated this year to the New Green Savings scheme supporting home energy renovations. Funding details and revised rules will be discussed with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and incoming environment minister Igor Červený. The program, financed mainly from emissions allowance revenues via the State Environmental Fund, has supported about 600,000 households since 2009.

The government led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is expected to reject an opposition proposal allowing surplus pension funds to finance the construction of social care facilities. The amendment would also limit the use of pension account money for benefit payments in surplus years. The cabinet argues the pension account was not designed for investments and plans to abolish it from next year.

With the EU Digital Identity Wallet set to roll out in Czechia by 2027, we asked readers whether they plan to use the new digital document system. Most, 65 percent, said they see the benefits, while 23 percent prefer physical documents and 12 percent remain undecided. Voting is still open.