Czech news in brief for January 8: Wednesday's top headlines

The Prague Railway Administration awarded a CZK 128.7 million design contract for a three-track bridge over the Vltava River by Výton to the SUDOP Praha and TOP CON SERVIS developers. Set for construction from 2026 to 2029, the CZK 3.4 billion project replaces a deteriorating historic steel bridge, sparking opposition from conservationists favoring restoration. Plans include a new train stop and repurposing the old bridge as a pedestrian and cycling footbridge upstream.

Czech airline carrier Smartwings transported 6.5 million passengers on regular and charter flights in 2024, a 20-percent increase from the previous year and 16.3 percent above pre-pandemic levels, the company said today. The largest growth was in flights from the Czech Republic, with 4.3 million passengers. Smartwings also operated flights from several European countries, such as Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Portugal, and Spain’s Canary Islands. Smartwings is Czechia’s only major airline after it absorbed Czech Airlines in 2024.

South Korea’s acting President Cho Sang-mok and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala discussed economic cooperation and nuclear reactor construction at Dukovany (Vysočina) during a phone call Wednesday. The talks focused on advancing bilateral ties as South Korea’s nuclear works on a major Czech energy project. The call coincided with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, highlighting shared goals in energy, security, and continued collaboration, despite political challenges in Seoul, officials said.

Prices for older apartments in the Czech Republic surged by an average of 17 percent in the last quarter of 2024, with the median price per square meter reaching CZK 68,421, according to real estate service FérMakléři.cz. The rise is attributed to limited real estate supply and buyers' willingness to accept higher mortgage costs. Prices increased most in Ostrava and Ústí nad Labem, while Prague saw a 12-percent rise. Experts predict continued growth in 2025.

The Czech Republic ranked first in health and safety among EU nations last year, according to the Prosperity and Financial Health Index by Česká spořitelna and Europe in Data. Strong cybersecurity measures, medical care access, and above-average safety drove the achievement. Scoring 98.3 out of 100 in cybersecurity preparedness, the nation also topped global rankings. This marks the first time the Czech Republic has led the index since its launch.

The Czech Senate will begin its first session of the year on Jan. 22, likely continuing on Jan. 23 and 28, the Senate press office announced. Key agenda items include votes on digitalization initiatives, air protection laws, and extending temporary protections for Ukrainian refugees under the “Lex Ukraine” amendment. The proposal also tightens Russian citizenship rules and introduces penalties for unauthorized foreign activities.

Hockey legend Jaromír Jagr, 52, became the oldest scorer in Czech top-league history after netting a goal for Rytíři Kladno against Škoda Plzeň on Sunday. Jagr, who owns the club, has four goals this season. Despite his record, Kladno lost 3-2 in overtime. The NHL Hall-of-Famer, second in all-time points, returned to Kladno in 2018 after a storied international career.

Czech breweries reaffirm they do not export beer to Russia, suspending shipments after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Data from the Czech Statistical Office shows a 27 percent rise in Czech beer imports to Russia last year, valued at CZK 819 million. Breweries attribute this to resales by third parties. Prominent producers like Plzeňský Prazdroj and Budweiser Budvar emphasize strict adherence to their export bans.

Czech national Jan Darmovzal remains imprisoned in Venezuela, accused of terrorism. Venezuelan officials allege he’s part of a mercenary group, a claim disputed by Czech authorities. Efforts to secure consular access have failed. Venezuela’s recent wave of arrests coincides with Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election. Experts suggest the detentions may be leverage for negotiations, especially as Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency looms.

The Directorate of Roads and Motorways (ŘSD) aims to open 74.1 km of new highways and 25.2 km of first-class roads in 2025, including key sections of the D1, D35, and D6 highways. With a record budget exceeding CZK 80 billion, construction on 64.4 km of highways will also begin. Minister Martin Kupka confirmed plans to complete the basic highway network by 2033 and introduce high-speed scales to protect roads.