Czech news in brief for January 30: Friday’s top afternoon headlines

The Czech Republic continues to report one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union, according to December data from Eurostat. While the overall EU unemployment rate remained steady at 5.9 percent, the Czech figure saw a slight decrease to 2.6 percent. Despite minor differences in local and European calculation methodologies, the Czech labor market remains exceptionally tight, with Spain reporting the EU’s highest jobless rate at 10.6 percent.

President Petr Pavel has invited ANO leader Andrej Babiš to Prague Castle on Wednesday morning for further government formation talks. The meeting follows October elections, as Babiš seeks to finalize a coalition with the SPD and Motorists. Discussions will focus on the incoming cabinet’s policy statement and specific ministerial candidates. Pavel intends to review the coalition’s direction before proceeding with the formal appointment of a new prime minister.

Train services at Prague’s Masarykovo nádraží were suspended Friday afternoon following an unauthorized train movement. The Railway Administration reported the incident as a “traffic fault,” which caused significant delays for regional lines toward Kolín, Milovice, and Kralupy nad Vltavou. While some service toward Prague-Bubny was restored quickly, many commuters were diverted to the main station. The incident occurred amidst ongoing massive reconstruction work at the historic terminal.

The Czech Ministry of Health and major manufacturers have launched a recall of specific batches of infant formula due to potential contamination with the cereulide toxin. The recall affects brands including Bebelo and Picot after concerns were raised regarding the presence of Bacillus cereus bacteria. Parents are advised to check batch numbers and return affected products to pharmacies or retailers immediately to avoid risks of vomiting or digestive distress.

Experts have confirmed the authenticity of a significant gold treasure discovered in the Trutnov region. The collection, which includes rare artifacts and coins, has been officially appraised at over CZK 11 million based on its gold content and historical significance. The find is considered one of the most valuable archaeological discoveries in the area, and plans are underway for the items to eventually be displayed to the public.