Czech news in brief for October 26: Saturday's top headlines

Czechia will join most European countries in saying goodbye to Summer Time (Daylight Savings Time) this weekend. All clocks in the Czech Republic will move back one hour at 3 a.m. in the morning hours on Sunday, Oct. 27 as the country switches from Central European Summer Time (CEST) to Central European Time (CET).

Police are investigating the deaths of a man and woman whose bodies were discovered Saturday in an apartment in Prague’s Vinohrady district. Initial findings suggest that neither death involved foul play, according to police spokesperson Jan Rybanský. Detectives are currently on the scene to further assess the circumstances.

Analysis by the Czech Ministry of Labor reveals that individuals changing jobs typically see a wage increase, averaging 12 percent for those finding work independently. To encourage job mobility, the ministry has proposed increasing unemployment benefits in the initial months, with a suggested structure of 80 percent for the first three months, 50 percent for the next three, and 40 percent thereafter. This initiative aims to help job seekers find better opportunities and may be introduced by 2026.

Recent research by consultancy firm ENA indicates that electricity and gas prices in the Czech Republic remain slightly below the average of many European countries. Despite significant price increases during the energy crisis, electricity costs are approximately three percent lower, while gas prices are about ten percent lower than the average. The study analyzed prices from 749 suppliers across 12 European countries.

On Thursday evening, a bright meteor was visible from the Czech Republic as it streaked across the atmosphere above Austria. The bolid traveled nearly 94 kilometers in just 6.4 seconds before breaking apart, prompting experts to search for its remnants. The phenomenon was recorded by the European Fireball Network and numerous witnesses. Scientists believe that several small fragments may have survived the descent.

The Czech government will discuss a proposed amendment aimed at simplifying the certification process for military drones. Introduced by the Ministry of Defense, the law seeks to differentiate the certification requirements for drones based on associated risk levels, potentially easing regulations compared to manned aircraft. The proposal, effective from July 2025, is expected to streamline the introduction of new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the Czech military.

The 28th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival opened with The President, a film on former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová. Directed by Marek Šulík, the documentary captures her five-year term and premiered to a full house. Šulík, who knew Čaputová through her work as a lawyer, filmed over 350 hours of footage, narrowing it to a 109-minute film. The President will premiere in Czech and Slovak cinemas on Nov. 14.

The final Czech Airlines (ČSA) flight under its historic OK code lands in Prague tonight from Paris, marking a shift as ČSA operations move under Smartwings. Departing from Charles de Gaulle at 8:15 p.m., the plane will arrive at Václav Havel Airport at 9:55 p.m. Smartwings flights will use the QS code but retain ČSA’s branding. Smartwings, the majority shareholder, will operate ČSA’s two Airbus A320s and later four Airbus A220-300s in ČSA livery. Founded in 1923, ČSA is one of the world’s oldest airlines but faced financial troubles, leading to restructuring under Smartwings.

Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has donated essential equipment, including power stations, diesel generators, and reconnaissance drones, to Ukrainian villages Staryi Martyniv and Zborov. The items were presented by Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová, who valued the donation at approximately three million crowns. Černochová highlighted the importance of aiding these regions before winter, given their historical ties to Czechoslovakia.

Employee unions at the Czech Ministry of Justice plan to protest in November to demand better pay, union chairwoman Eliška Hronová announced. This will be the first protest of its kind in the ministry's history. Union leaders support a potential week-long strike, pending budget talks in the Chamber of Deputies. They argue that average ministry salaries are misleading, as they include management pay, with lower-level positions earning significantly less than similar roles in other ministries.

European Broadcasting Union Director General Noel Curran warns that technology platforms like Google and Meta are the biggest threat to both public and commercial media, citing their vast influence and financial power. Speaking in Prague, Curran stressed the need for media sectors to collaborate rather than compete. His comments follow debate over a Czech government amendment to increase TV and radio license fees, aimed at strengthening public media amid rising misinformation driven by artificial intelligence.

The Council for Research, Development and Innovation has nominated Milan Jirsa as the new chairman of the Czech Science Foundation. Jirsa, a leading expert in liver disease genetics, currently heads the Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and serves at IKEM. The nomination follows the end of current chairman Petr Baldrian’s term. The council also approved an extension of the SIGMA program for applied research and innovation, supporting technology projects until 2035.