Czech news in brief for January 1: Thursday's top morning headlines

Despite illegal fireworks in the city center, Prague police said New Year’s Eve celebrations were among the calmest in recent years. Officers fined nearly 40 people, mostly foreigners, for violating a ban on fireworks in historic areas. Thousands gathered in Old Town and Wenceslas squares, while most pyrotechnics occurred outside the center. Police reported minor incidents and several arrests.

A major criminal law amendment took effect Jan. 1, easing penalties for cannabis cultivation and possession. Individuals may now grow up to three cannabis plants and possess limited amounts legally. Courts can also impose fines for most crimes to reduce prison populations. Justice Minister Jeroným Tejc said he plans to revisit the alimony provisions, while critics warn fines may favor wealthier offenders.

President Petr Pavel will give his third New Year’s speech today at 1 p.m., continuing the tradition of Jan. 1 addresses rather than Christmas messages. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Chamber Speaker Tomio Okamura are also expected to release statements. The custom dates back to the first Czechoslovak president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and has evolved through successive Czech leaders, with interruptions only under some communist presidents and during holidays.

Prague and the Central Bohemian Region marked 2025 with significant infrastructure and healthcare advances, according to Novinky.cz. The capital launched a mental health crisis module in the Záchranka app, opened a state-of-the-art LED planetarium, expanded rail links, and introduced new trams. In Central Bohemia, hospitals in Kladno and Mladá Boleslav began robotic surgeries, while key suburban rail lines completed major reconstructions. Read more wins for Czechia here.

Firefighters responded to an apartment fire in Prague’s Vršovice district early Jan. 1, 2026, evacuating 10 people and two dogs. Two residents were treated by emergency responders, fire officials said. Crews extinguished the blaze from inside the building and with aerial equipment. Damage was estimated at CZK 1 million. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Prague firefighters.