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culture Prague exhibit shows 20th century global visitors
A new open-air exhibition opened Monday on Prague's Kampa Island, highlighting notable 20th-century visitors to the Czech capital. Organized by the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century, They Were Here... features rare photos and documents of state visits, secret missions, and historic meetings. Despite a rain delay, the exhibition launches at 6 p.m. and includes figures from Franz Joseph I to Che Guevara, as well as presidents Obama and Putin, who visited Prague in various official and covert roles.
politics Pavel: No-confidence vote could spark instability
President Petr Pavel warned Monday that a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s cabinet could cause instability just months before October’s general election. Lawmakers will convene Tuesday to address the vote, initiated by the opposition ANO movement after a bitcoin donation scandal. Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned over a billion-crown donation from a convicted criminal. His successor, Eva Decroix, ordered an external audit, vowing to release findings by August and appoint a legal coordinator.
weather Last snowfield in Czechia melts
The last snowfield on Studniční hora in the Krkonoše Mountains melted Sunday, June 15—nine days later than last year, park spokesman told Czech media today. The snowfield, known as the Map of the Republic, typically melts between mid-June and mid-July. This year’s delay was due to high weekend temperatures, including 25 degrees Celsius, near the site. The snowfield, often symbolic of winter’s end in the mountains, reached 7.74 meters in depth this past March—one of the lowest in 25 years.
housing Czech apartment construction falls 20 percent
Apartment construction in the Czech Republic fell 20.5 percent in 2024, with 30,274 units completed, the Czech Statistical Office reported. Prague and the Central Bohemian Region led in completions, though only Prague saw a slight year-on-year increase. The sharpest decline occurred in South Moravia, down 37 percent. Half of the new units were family homes, over a third in apartment buildings. Rising construction costs and a consistent drop across housing categories contributed to the overall decline.
middle east Czech evacuees flee Israel amid conflict
A convoy of Czech citizens evacuated from Israel early Monday is now in a neighboring country, Czech Ambassador to Israel Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová told media. A government aircraft is set to fly the evacuees to Prague later in the day. The move comes amid intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, which began Friday with Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites. Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks on Israel. The crisis may persist for weeks, officials say.
Crime Man detained after fatal shooting near Prague
Police detained a 65-year-old man after a shooting in Kostelec nad Černými lesy, near Prague, where a 50-year-old woman and 45-year-old man were found dead in a garden. A firearm was recovered. Authorities say there is no public danger, and regional investigators are handling the case. Emergency responders pronounced both victims dead at the scene. Police have launched a criminal investigation.
weather Storms, heat break records across Czechia
June 15 became the hottest day of 2025 in Czechia, with Doksany hitting 34.3°C. Storms followed, toppling trees and disrupting rail service in regions like Ústí nad Labem and Central Bohemia. Over 30 emergencies were reported. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued, with risks of hail, wind gusts up to 75 kph, and flash flooding. No injuries or derailments occurred.
Culture Springsteen plays wet Prague show to 60,000
Bruce Springsteen performed for over 60,000 fans in Prague’s Letňany, delivering a 2.5-hour show despite persistent rain. The set featured hits like “Born in the USA” and “The River.” Springsteen criticized U.S. President Trump and thanked Czech fans for their support. The concert replaced a 2023 date canceled due to vocal issues. He ended with encore covers and audience interaction.
Safety Ostrava pool cleared over bomb threat
Roughly 1,500 people were evacuated from a swimming complex in Ostrava-Poruba after an anonymous bomb threat Saturday. Police searched the site with explosive-sniffing dogs but found nothing. A phone believed to have been used for the call was seized, and several individuals are being questioned. The incident is being investigated as a criminal offense for spreading a threatening message.
Society Czechs switch streaming services frequently
An Axocom survey shows that nearly one-third of Czechs cancel and renew streaming subscriptions multiple times a year, mainly based on content availability. Netflix remains the most popular platform, followed by Oneplay, Prima, Disney, and Max. Around 45 percent of Czech adults now use streaming platforms, with the country nearing the European average for paying for online audiovisual content.
