Czech news in brief for January 4: Sunday’s top morning headlines

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka called Friday for de-escalation and diplomatic talks in Venezuela after the United States launched air strikes and detained President Nicolas Maduro. Macinka said protecting Czech citizens, including an imprisoned national, Jan Darmovzal, who has been held in a Venezuelan prison for over a year, is the priority. Czech politicians are divided over the action, with some, including former Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan, condemning the strike as an illegal act of aggression, and others hoping it will lead to democratic change and reduced Russian influence.

Electronic requests for medical examinations, launched on Jan. 1 as part of Czech healthcare digitization, are not functioning reliably, forcing doctors and hospitals to continue using paper forms. Physicians report problems connecting to the system managed by the National Center for Electronic Healthcare. The voluntary e-requests currently cover imaging exams, with plans for expansion. The health minister supports making them mandatory once technical issues are resolved.

A Czech citizen was injured in a deadly New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, the Czech Foreign Ministry said Friday. The blaze killed 40 people and injured 119 after decorative candle fountains ignited the ceiling. Czech authorities offered medical help, including burn treatment in Prague. Swiss police are investigating as victims from several countries are identified.

Czech defense spending rose by more than CZK 43 billion at the end of last year, bringing total 2025 outlays to CZK billion, officials said. The surge allowed Czechia to meet NATO’s 2 percent of GDP target for the second time in two decades. Most funds were allocated to army salaries and advance payments for fighter jets and weapons systems, with additional security spending accounted for by other state agencies.

About 140 winter swimmers took part Saturday in the 53rd Hardy Men on the Elbe event in Pardubice, braving 0.6°C water and strong winds. Veteran swimmer Karel Zeman said that ice swimming triggers endorphins, which can last up to two days. Participants swam up to one kilometer under medical supervision, while doctors warned that the extreme sport is suitable only for trained individuals.