Czech news in brief for January 5: Monday's top morning headlines

The ANO, SPD, and Motorists coalition is set to approve its program statement at its first cabinet meeting of the year. The government plans to seek a confidence vote within a week and will also debate delaying part of the Housing Support Act from July to September. The program pledges no tax increases, no adoption of the euro, and caps the retirement age at 65. Ministers will also discuss replacing the Civil Service Act, public media fees, and tightening the rules for foreign residency.

Václav Havel Airport Prague remains fully operational on Jan. 5 despite severe weather disrupting flights across Western Europe and Greece. While major hubs such as Amsterdam and London reported thousands of cancellations, Prague’s departures and arrivals are mostly on schedule according to the live flight board. Airport officials reported only minor knock-on delays on select hub routes but advise passengers to check their flight status online before traveling.

Czechia faces a week of freezing temperatures, with night and morning lows reaching −16 °C. Daytime highs will stay below zero until Friday, and in Moravia and Silesia temperatures may remain subzero into the weekend. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute warns of severe night frosts, freezing fog, and icy conditions. A warm front will bring clouds, rain, and mountain snow later in the week, with ice possible where temperatures remain below zero.

Prague introduced a slightly reduced public transport schedule from Jan. 5 to March 1 due to lower post-holiday demand, estimated at 15 percent below autumn levels. The Prague Metro is exempt and will maintain normal frequency. Tram peak-hour intervals are slightly extended, while 56 bus lines will see longer waits on weekdays. Weekend changes are minimal, affecting only one bus line. Read more here.

Czech junior hockey players defeated Canada 6–4 in the World Championship semifinal on Jan. 4, securing a third straight win over the tournament favorite. Tomáš Poletín scored the decisive goal at 58:46, with Vojtěch Čihař adding an empty-netter. The Czechs advanced to their third final in four years and will face Sweden early Tuesday morning.