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Strengthening EU investments in the defense industry is beneficial for Czechia, both strategically and economically, Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Paty) said before an informal EU summit in Brussels. He emphasized the need for better financing and coordinated acquisitions across Europe. Fiala reiterated a call from 18 European leaders for the European Investment Bank to open funding opportunities for private defense firms. He also suggested raising Czech defense spending to 3% of GDP in the next term. The summit, attended by NATO’s Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is the first focused on EU defense policy.
A 26-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis has undergone her third lung transplant at Prague’s Motol University Hospital. The complex surgery is rarely performed worldwide, as it presents significant medical, technical, and ethical challenges. The patient received her first transplant at 22, but complications led to a second in 2021. As her condition deteriorated again, doctors decided on a third transplant. The surgery, lasting six and a half hours, was successful, and she was discharged within four weeks. Motol Hospital, the only center for lung transplants in Czechia and Slovakia, performed a record 72 transplants last year.
The downturn in Czech manufacturing continued in January, though at a slower pace, as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to nearly 47 % from December’s 44.8, S&P Global reported. While demand remained weak, companies showed cautious optimism for the year ahead, and layoffs slowed. However, analysts warn of risks, including potential U.S. tariffs on EU goods under President Donald Trump, which could hurt Czech exports. Economist Petr Dufek cautioned that without a reversal in new orders, induCzech industry conditions worsen in January, but slowdown easesstrial recovery remains uncertain, especially given ongoing challenges in Germany and global trade tensions.
The Czech Ministry of Culture is considering revoking the religious registration of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to Czech Radio information. The ministry claims the organization has not addressed issues raised in an official warning last September, including pressuring members to cut ties with those who leave and restricting minors' access to medical care, such as blood transfusions. Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson David Kulla denies any wrongdoing and calls the potential deregistration discriminatory.
Legendary Australian hard rock band AC/DC will perform outdoors in Prague’s Letňany on June 26 as part of their Power Up tour. This marks their first Prague show in nine years. After a U.S. stadium tour this spring, the band will play 12 concerts across 10 European countries this summer. American rock band The Pretty Reckless will be the special guest. AC/DC, founded in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, is known for classics like Highway to Hell and Let There Be Rock and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Martin Glaser, current director of National Theatre Brno, has been appointed as the next general director of Prague’s National Theatre (ND) starting in August 2028, replacing Jan Burian. Culture Minister Martin Baxa (ODS) announced the decision following a two-round selection process. Glaser plans to modernize ND into an efficient public cultural institution, emphasizing financial sustainability and international collaboration. He will bring Jiří Heřman to lead the opera and Mário Radačovský for ballet. Glaser has extensive experience in theatre direction and management, having led National Theatre Brno since 2013 and two major international festivals.
For the third day in a row, temperatures in Šumava have fallen to around -20°C. The coldest spot was Březník Valley near Modrava, where meteorologists recorded -21.7°C, according to Renata Uhlíková from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Other locations, such as Perla near Kvilda, measured -17.8°C. Freezing temperatures were reported across South Bohemia, with Pohoří in the Novohradské Mountains reaching -14.2°C. Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly above freezing, but another cold morning is forecast for Tuesday, with temperatures in higher elevations again approaching -20°C.
Expect clear to partly cloudy skies, with occasional freezing fog or low clouds. High temperatures will range from 1 to 5°C.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala will meet his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Brussels today after a long week of a series of accusations from Bratislava. Fiala said that he found it strange that he hears more criticism of Brussels from Bratislava than criticism of Moscow. Fico, he said, orchestrates a foreign policy that does not correspond to Czech national security, economic, or strategic interests.
Exactly 100 years ago, in February 1925, Czechoslovakia hosted the very first World Ski Championships. The event, called Rendezvous Ski Races at the time, was held in Janské Lázně in the Krkonoše Mountains. A series of events is taking place this week in the northern Bohemian town to mark the anniversary.
A new campaign by the Brno Transport Company to promote the use of public transport as the backbone of daily mobility has gone right over the top. Its slogans “A place where you can loosen up” or ”We are your dating agency!” have elicited both harsh criticism and jokes at the company’s expense.
The Jaroslav Hašek Cup, a competition for the furthest hot air balloon flight, started at dawn on February 1st in Kejžlice near Humpolec. The participants had the task of flying as far as possible from the take-off point within a time limit of nine hours.
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