Central Europe Weekly Roundup

Poland

Second Polish Astronaut to Bring National Dishes to the ISS on Spring Mission

For the first time in 47 years, a Polish astronaut will travel to space this spring as part of the Axiom-4 mission. S?awosz Uznański-Wi?niewski will join an international crew, including an American commander, an Indian astronaut, and Hungary’s Kapu Tibor (who will be the third Hungarian in space after Bertalan Farkas and Charles Simonyi). Following tradition, Uznański will bring a taste of home to the International Space Station (ISS)—freeze-dried pierogi.

LEGO Honors Nobel Laureate Marie Sk?odowska-Curie with New Figurine

Marie Sk?odowska-Curie, the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different sciences (Physics and Chemistry), was born in Poland in 1867 before gaining worldwide fame in France. To honor her legacy, LEGO is releasing a figurine modeled after her as part of a science-themed collection, launching in March.

Danish Company to Help Build Poland’s Second Offshore Wind Farm

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced a partnership between Poland’s state-owned PGE company and Danish energy giant ?rsted to construct Baltica 2, the country’s second offshore wind farm. Construction will begin this year, with energy production expected to start in 2027. The farm will supply 2.5 million households, covering 3% of Poland’s total energy demand.

Czech Republic

Flu Epidemic Nears Peak in the Czech Republic

The current flu epidemic is reaching its peak, with 2,200 infections per 100,000 people recorded last week—a 16% increase. Initially, children were most affected, but cases have now spread across all age groups.

Prague Public Transport Bans Certain Advertisements

The Prague Public Transport Company has introduced stricter advertising regulations for buses and trams. Ads for alcohol, erotic content, religious messages, and violent themes are now prohibited, including web links to related content. The ban will soon extend to trolleybuses and metro trains.

Romania

State-Owned Hidroelectrica Fined for Customer Data Breach

Romania’s Hidroelectrica, a state-owned electricity producer, was fined 74,000 lei (€14,872) by the National Authority for Personal Data Protection due to a customer data leak. The breach was caused by a technical error related to the company’s new mobile app.

Three Arrested, Two Fugitives in Romanian Artifact Heist Case

Authorities have arrested two men and one woman in connection with the explosive robbery of Dacian artifacts from a Dutch museum. However, two suspects remain at large, and the stolen treasures are still missing. The remaining exhibits have been returned to Romania.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria Commemorates Victims of Communism

February 1 marks Bulgaria’s National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Communism. On this day in 1945, a People’s Court sentenced dozens to death for war crimes, with the regime ultimately executing 2,700 people and imprisoning hundreds more. Since 2011, February 1 has been an official day of remembrance, honored this year by both the government and Sofia’s city administration.

Croatia

Locally Built Trams to Enter Service in Zagreb

Zagreb will soon introduce new TMK 2400 trams, manufactured in Croatia. The city ordered 20 low-floor trams two years ago, and the “Blue Lightning” trams—as locals call them—boast cutting-edge technology, including energy recovery from braking.

Slovenia

Slovenia’s Pipistrel Unveils Eco-Friendly Cargo Drone

Aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel, owned by an American company but based in Slovenia, has successfully tested its latest model—the Nuuva V300, a lightweight, hybrid-powered cargo drone. The drone, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, can carry 272 kg of cargo over a range of 550 km.