Czech news in brief for November 27: Wednesday's top headlines

Czech Labor Minister Marian Jurečka announced a revised plan to close around 60 Labor Office branches, down from the originally planned 83. Offices in larger municipalities will remain open temporarily, while closures will focus on smaller towns. The changes follow discussions with Labor Office leadership and aim to ensure service continuity until post offices can handle benefit applications. The optimization process, linked to digitization, will continue through 2025.

A fire broke out at Prague's National Theatre this afternoon, originating in a technical shaft, according to officials. Firefighters extinguished the blaze after evacuating around 100 employees. One person suffered minor smoke inhalation but was not hospitalized. Thick smoke prompted a swift response, with a dozen firefighting units on-site. The auditorium and stage remain unharmed, and Thursday's premiere of Scheherazade is still expected to proceed.

Czech holding company Czechoslovak Group (CSG) will acquire U.S.-based Kinetic Group, a leading small-caliber ammunition manufacturer, from Vista Outdoor for USD 2.2 billion (CZK 53 billion). The deal, approved by Vista shareholders, will finalize on Nov. 27. CSG aims to expand its footprint in the U.S. defense and civilian markets. The acquisition aligns with CSG’s strategy to bolster its ammunition production alongside its aerospace, automotive, and defense ventures.

A private Cessna Citation C-525B carrying five passengers, including a patient, made an emergency landing at Prague's Vaclav Havel Airport on Monday due to landing gear issues, Zdopravy.cz reported. Arriving flights were briefly delayed. The plane, en route from Finland to Austria, landed safely with firefighter assistance. Airport spokeswoman Denisa Hejtmánková confirmed the emergency declaration. No injuries were reported.

Atletico Madrid crushed Sparta Prague 6-0 in a Champions League match in Prague, marking Sparta's heaviest European defeat since 1970. Sparta, last season's Czech league champion, has struggled, losing its third consecutive Champions League game and failing to win any of its last five domestic league matches. Currently ranked 28th of 36 teams, Sparta faces Feyenoord, Inter Milan, and Leverkusen in its remaining group matches.