Czech news in brief for November 7: Friday’s top morning headlines

Newly elected Speaker Tomio Okamura ordered the Ukrainian flag removed from the Czech lower house, ending its display since the start of Russia’s invasion. Okamura said only Czech flags should fly on public buildings. Opposition leaders called the move “shameful” and “cowardly,” displaying Ukrainian flags from their offices in protest. The flag’s removal underscores a shift in tone under the new ANO–SPD–Motorists coalition, seen as less supportive of Ukraine.

Czech stargazers may glimpse the northern lights tonight and in the coming days, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute announced. Recent solar eruptions have triggered a strong geomagnetic storm, increasing visibility chances across the country. However, fog, low clouds, and a bright Moon may obscure the view, especially in western Bohemia. The best conditions are expected in Moravia, Silesia, and mountain areas, where skies should remain clearer.

From January 2026, cancer patients in Czechia will get help from care coordinators based in all Comprehensive Oncology Centers to guide them through the healthcare system and speed up access to treatment. The initiative, led by the Voice of Cancer Patients (HOP) association, also includes a new HOP Center opening in Prague’s Tyršův dům, offering psychological, social, and legal support to patients and their families across all cancer diagnoses.

Czech actress and artist Věra Křesadlová, the second wife of Oscar-winning director Miloš Forman, died on November 4 at age 81, her family confirmed. A star of Prague’s Semafor Theatre, she appeared in key Czechoslovak New Wave films, including Larks on a String and Intimate Lighting. Later, she worked at Prague Castle under Václav Havel and pursued stained-glass art. She is survived by her twin sons, Matěj and Petr Forman.

Prague’s National Technical Museum is showcasing 30 rare Böhmerland (Čechie) motorcycles to mark 100 years since production began. The exhibition, open Nov. 7–March 22, features the world’s longest mass-produced motorcycle, stretching over 3.2 meters. Alongside the striking machines, the display tells the story of founder Albin Liebisch, whose innovative designs once offered an affordable alternative to cars and whose life mirrored the turbulent 20th-century Czech-German history.