Czech news in brief for November 24: Monday's top afternoon headlines

The Czech Foreign Ministry advised citizens to leave Venezuela using available flights following an U.S. warning about increased military activity. Several airlines cancelled flights after the warning, though Venezuelan carriers Avior and Laser and Colombian Wingo continue operations. The ministry highlighted rising US military presence and Venezuelan exercises. Citizens were also informed via the Drozd travellers’ system. The ministry urged Czechs to avoid travel and use the remaining flight options, particularly Wingo for Caracas-Bogotá routes.

The Prague High Court overturned a lower court’s ruling in the Bison & Rose lawsuit against likely next Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The agency challenged Babiš’s claim that it produced a compromising photomontage of ex-minister Milan Chovanec. The appeals court said the prior apology granted to the agency addressed a point not raised in the lawsuit. The Central Bohemian Regional Court must now reconsider the case, ruling according to the agency’s original claims.

Czechia's state General Health Insurance Company (VZP) plans a CZK 12.7-billion deficit for 2026, with expenses of CZK 341.2 billion and revenues of CZK 328.5 billion, board chairman Tom Philipp said. The seven public insurers together will manage nearly CZK 563 billion. Philipp noted that VZP has sufficient reserves, and director Zdeněk Kabátek expects about CZK 18 billion at year-end. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš criticized the proposal, while potential future Health Minister Adam Vojtěch discussed raising payments for state-insured patients.

President Petr Pavel said after meeting Polish head of state Karol Nawrocki at Prague Castle that the Czech Republic and Poland view Ukraine’s defense as vital to their own security. Both countries see Russia as Europe’s main threat. Pavel highlighted strong economic ties and membership in groups such as the Bucharest Nine and the Three Seas Initiative. Nawrocki also praised Visegrad Four cooperation. The emerging Czech government seeks to maintain collaboration within the V4 framework.

Czechia has submitted its fifth request for roughly CZK 17 billion from the National Recovery Plan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said the funds cover zero-emission vehicles, charging stations, business digitalization, modernized registers, photovoltaic panels, 5G network development, and new university programs aligned with labor market changes. The European Commission will review whether the country met all milestones and targets before approving the disbursement.

Prague woke up to white-layered streets and parks (as well as traffic issues) when the Czech capital saw its first snowfall of the 2025-26 winter season overnight.