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More than 7,000 cars and 1,700 motorcycles crowded roads around Brno’s Masaryk Circuit today as MotoGP fans arrived in large numbers. Traffic collapsed on local roads and even on the D1 motorway, after rain left main parking areas unusable. Overflow lots and roadside spaces filled up quickly, prompting police to restrict access near the circuit to protect pedestrians. Many fans voiced frustration online and on-site. Organizers said they are working with police and transport officials to improve the situation for Sunday’s main race, helped by a favorable weather forecast.
By 2050, Prague’s population is expected to grow by nearly 300,000 to 1.67 million, according to a new demographic analysis by the city’s Institute of Planning and Development. The rise will be driven mainly by immigration and an increase in births. Numbers of both children and seniors are forecast to grow significantly. Without expanding existing capacities, the city will face shortages in kindergartens, schools, and senior care facilities. The analysis warns that, by 2050, one nursing home bed could serve as many as 26 elderly residents.
Salaries of top Czech politicians are expected to increase by around five percent in 2026, according to calculations by the Czech Press Agency (ČTK). For the first time, the prime minister and heads of parliament chambers could earn over 300,000 crowns gross per month, approximately 12,200 euros. The president’s salary would rise to 383,200 crowns, or about 15,600 euros, an increase of 18,200 crowns from this year. Rank-and-file MPs could see a rise of 5,500 crowns to a total monthly pay of 115,000 crowns, roughly 4,670 euros. The increase follows changes to the pay law limiting annual growth to five percent, even though the regular formula would have triggered a much sharper 13. percent rise.
Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák (Mayors and Independents) has described the approval of the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia as a major breakthrough. However, he stressed it remains to be seen how effective the new measures will be. Dvořák highlighted the inclusion of a Czech-proposed “catch-all mechanism” allowing customs authorities to better prevent sanctions evasion via third countries. He recalled how Czech exports to one Central Asian country rose dramatically after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggesting products were being rerouted to Russia. The new sanctions target Russia’s energy and banking sectors and restrict the use of the Nord Stream pipeline.
The City of Prague is offering the grave of American James B. McCreary, who died in a bizarre accident in 1919, as part of its grave adoption programme. McCreary, a 25-year-old from Buffalo, New York, had come to Europe to fight in WWI, served as an ambulance driver and later joined France's Service Aeronautique and worked as a camera operator. He was killed when an Italian hydroplane he was filming struck him as he stood in a boat on the Vltava River near Prague’s centre. The aircraft had just passed under a bridge when it swerved and fatally hit McCreary, who died shortly after. His grave is among 18 recently added to the city’s adoption list. Other names include notable Czechs like footballer Josef Bican, writer Karolina Světlá, poet Josef Kainar, and engineer Vratislav Pasovský, designer of the Petřín Lookout Tower.
Dozens of folk ensembles from across the world gathered this morning at Prague’s Old Town Square for a colourful parade through the city centre. The event marks the highlight of the 20th edition of the Prague Folklore Days festival, which ends this evening. Around 1,600 dancers and musicians from 62 amateur groups are participating, said festival spokesperson Taťána Sochorová. Taiwanese dancers walked alongside Mexican sombreros and elaborately embroidered costumes from many European countries. Leading the parade was a 50-member Italian brass band from near Lake Garda.
The Colours of Ostrava music festival will conclude in the early hours of Sunday in the industrial setting of Dolní Vítkovice. Today’s programme includes performances by Czech band J.A.R. and Slovak singer Jana Kirschner. However, the main highlight is expected to be American DJ duo The Chainsmokers. Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart will take to the main stage shortly after midnight. Known for hits like #Selfie and Roses, they first began working together in New York in 2012. Festival organisers had pursued their booking for several years.
In Bohemia, partly cloudy to cloudy skies are expected, with occasional showers or thunderstorms mainly in the west and northwest. In Moravia and Silesia, it will be mostly clear to partly cloudy, with isolated morning fog in some areas. Afternoon highs should reach 27 to 31 °C.
In a city known for its beer and secularism, Prague’s small Muslim community is scattered and often unseen.
When Czech musician Jaroslav Škuta was denied entry to the U.S. this summer, some pointed to Trump’s stricter border controls. But his case isn’t unique. Similar incidents over many years suggest U.S. immigration checks have always been strict—no matter who’s in the White House.
A skříň in Czech is a cupboard or a cabinet, like the type you find in a kitchen. Yet this ordinary Czech word has an English cousin that’s had a religious conversion.
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