Fire Apartment fire in Kladno forces evacuation
A fire broke out on Saturday in a high-rise apartment building on Italská Street in Kladno, forcing the evacuation of over 30 residents. The blaze, which originated in a fourth-floor unit, left one man hospitalized with severe burns, transported by helicopter. Another resident escaped the flames by jumping to a balcony below. Firefighters, using aerial equipment, contained the fire at around 12:30 p.m.
CRIME Police seek suspect in assault on Prague tram
A man was left with facial injuries and broken teeth after being attacked on a Prague tram last November. The incident occurred when he questioned another passenger about his interaction with a group of children. The suspect responded by striking him multiple times. Police have released video of the assault, seeking public assistance to identify the attacker.
HEALTH GPs able to prescribe cannabis for chronic pain
Starting in April, general practitioners in the Czech Republic will be able to prescribe medical cannabis for chronic pain, expanding access for patients. Patients will also be allowed up to a three-month supply on a single prescription. Last year, 318.7 kg of cannabis was prescribed to 3,300 patients. Changes also include the option to prescribe it to minors in palliative care or cancer treatment. The new regulation aims to simplify access while limiting use to specific conditions.
Politics Govt. proposes pension cuts for communists
The Czech government has proposed reducing pensions for former communist regime officials starting in November 2026. High-ranking officials of the Communist Party and state security would see a reduction of CZK 300 for each year served in their roles. The measure is aimed at addressing symbolic justice for victims of the regime and will affect hundreds, possibly thousands, of individuals.
SPORTS Ledecká to miss World Cup due to injury
Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecká will not compete in the upcoming World Cup races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen due to an unspecified injury sustained during training. The Czech star, who was set to race in the downhill and super-G, stated she aims to recover in time for the World Championship in Saalbach next month. Fellow Czech Tereza Nová is also absent after a serious fall.
POLITICS Macron, Harris among trusted foreign leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris are the most trusted foreign politicians among Czechs, a CVVM poll has revealed. Both Harris and Macron were trusted by 33 percent of respondents, while 40 percent expressed mistrust in Macron compared to a 30 percent mistrust in Harris. Russian President Vladimir Putin is the least trusted, with 84 percent expressing mistrust. U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán also saw high mistrust levels.
Memorial Pavel to join Auschwitz liberation commemoration
Czech President Petr Pavel will join world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at Monday’s event marking the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation. Held at the former Nazi camp in Poland, the event honors the 1.1 million victims. Pavel will later host a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Prague Castle on Tuesday, meeting survivors and delivering a keynote speech alongside other Czech officials.
FIRE 2,000 piglets die in farm blaze in South Moravia
A fire at a farm in Nížkov, South Moravia, killed about 2,000 piglets on Wednesday, with damage estimated at CZK 14 million, firefighters said. Crews rescued 400 piglets and brought the blaze under control in just over an hour. Eight fire units responded after the fire was reported shortly before 5:30 p.m. Investigators are determining the cause of the fire, which destroyed the agricultural building.
CRIME Czechia saw a 4.5 percent drop in crime in 2024
Czech Police recorded 173,322 crimes in 2024, a 4.5 percent decrease from 2023, Police President Martin Vondrášek reported. Clearance rates held steady at nearly 55 percent. There were 151 murder cases in 2024, and violent crime rose slightly, driven by stalking, threats, and extortion, often linked to social media. Property crimes fell by six percent, while economic crimes increased. Cybercrime accounted for 10.7 percent of offenses but saw a slight decline overall due to improved prevention efforts.
International Czech president visits aid projects in Bosnia
President Petr Pavel visited the Czech-funded drinking water treatment plant in Teslić, Bosnia, on Friday. The plant is the country’s largest Czech development project, costing €4 million (about CZK 100 million). The facility was funded by the Czech Development Agency, the EU, and local authorities. Pavel also toured a Czech-supported initiative in Zavidovići, which aides children with disabilities. Concluding his trip, Pavel met EUFOR troops at Sarajevo's Butmir base, honoring Czech soldiers killed in peacekeeping missions.
FOREIGN Thousands of Slovaks protest against Fico
Thousands demonstrated across Slovakia on Friday, calling for Prime Minister Robert Fico to step down and reaffirming the country's pro-European direction. In Bratislava, protesters near the Government Office chanted “Enough of Fico” and “Resign,” marking the first time civil society organizers have directly demanded his resignation. Demonstrations follow concerns over Slovakia’s EU stance after Fico’s meeting with Vladimir Putin and recent government policies halting military aid to Ukraine.
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