Czech news in brief for January 2: Thursday's top headlines

Czechia says it has offered Slovakia immediate access to its gas transport and storage capacities in response to halted gas transit via Ukraine. The offer, made by Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček in late December, allows Slovakia to use Czech infrastructure without further adjustments. The government has said that Slovakia has not yet responded to the offer. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has repeatedly claimed that stopping the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine would have drastic impacts on the whole EU.

Dozens of thousands of volunteers will participate in the Czech Republic's traditional Epiphany collection, running until Jan. 14. In Moravia-Silesia, about 10,000 volunteers will assist, though flood-affected areas will see limited participation. The charity drive supports local and international initiatives, with 65 percent of funds staying within affected regions. The collection will support the disabled, seniors, mothers with children in need, homeless people, the chronically ill, children and youth from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and others.

The Prague Transport Company (DPP) has confirmed it will begin constructing a 2.3-kilometer tram line in Malešice (Prague 9 and 10) this year, featuring six stops and costing CZK 1.75 billion. Tracks linking Wenceslas Square to Vinohradská Street are also set to start this spring. In 2025, DPP plans three new lines, including one in Žižkov. In 2026, construction will also begin on a 2-kilometer line from the intersection of Jana Želivského and Olšanská street in Prague 3.

Czech athletes Jakub Menšík and Marie Bouzková reached the Brisbane tennis quarterfinals Tuesday. Nineteen-year-old Menšík defeated Serbia's Dušan Lajović 6-3, 6-2, while Bouzková ousted 10th seed Viktoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4. Bouzková, 26, showcased strong form, following her win over Jelena Ostapenko. Linda Nosková fell to Russia's Mirra Andreeva 3-6, 0-6. Bouzková may face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka next, pending Sabalenka’s match against Yulia Putintseva.

An 87-year-old woman died in a fire at a Karlovy Vary nursing home early this morning, prompting the evacuation of 100 residents, authorities said. The blaze, which began shortly after midnight in one apartment, was extinguished by 2 a.m., according to firefighters. Eight residents require alternative housing, while others are returning. The fire prompted a level three alert due to the limited mobility of most residents, officials reported.

Prague experienced its warmest year on record in 2024, with an average temperature of 13.3 degrees Celsius at the Klementinum weather station in Prague 1, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute reported today. This surpasses the previous record of 12.8 degrees set in 2018 and 2023. The 2024 average was 3.7 degrees Celsius above the historical norm (1775-2014). Notably, 13 of the 15 warmest years occurred this century, highlighting a trend of rising temperatures.

Prague is launching plans to transform its main train station into a vibrant district with expanded rail services, Metro D, a tram line, and urban green spaces. Inspired by London's King's Cross, the project aims to integrate transportation and development, including a new terminal and a public landmark. Collaboration between city officials, developers, and international experts will shape this long-term vision, with final designs to be determined through a competition.

Air quality worsened in parts of Czechia after New Year's fireworks, compounded by weather conditions, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said. Prague experienced its worst air quality in eight years due to a temperature inversion. Conversely, Brno saw its cleanest air in five years, aided by post-midnight snowfall. The disparity highlights the interplay of local weather in pollution outcomes.

Gun ownership in Czechia rose sharply in 2023, with over 1.04 million registered firearms, 30,000 more than the previous year. The number of silencers also increased by 25 percent, despite legislative debates on banning them after a 2023 university shooting. Stricter gun laws take effect Jan. 4, requiring sellers to report suspicious buyers. Future measures include linking medical and gun registries to enhance oversight by 2026.

The Czech Republic’s first weekend of 2025 will be cloudy and cold, with mountain snow expected. Temperatures will drop as low as -8°C Saturday night. Sunday brings a warm front with highs up to 6°C and risks of freezing rain and ice, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. A Thursday cold front will end recent inversions, with snowfall warnings in western Bohemia and strong winds in mountain regions.

Jihlava Zoo celebrated the birth of a rare Liberian hippopotamus on Nov. 22. The healthy female, visible to visitors indoors, marks the zoo's sixth hippo birth since 1987. Breeding these endangered animals, native to West Africa, is challenging but vital for their survival. Zoo officials plan a new pavilion to enhance conservation efforts. The baby hippo will explore the outdoor enclosure in spring.