Czech news in brief for January 18: Saturday’s top headlines

A recent inversion is keeping temperatures cold across most of Czechia, but mountain areas are enjoying sunnier and warmer conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 10 degrees Celsius at higher elevations. Šumava sees clear skies and temperatures around 4 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, meteorologists warn of icy roads in lowland areas, particularly in the Karlovy Vary region. Expect similar weather on Sunday, with warmer temperatures in areas with clear skies and colder, misty conditions elsewhere.

Jiří Lehečka will face Novak Djokovic on Sunday for a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals at the Rod Laver Arena. The 23-year-old Czech, ranked 24th worldwide, faces the 10-time champion in a rematch following their previous encounter at last year’s United Cup, where Lehečka lost in three sets. Lehečka reached the Round of 16 with a straight-sets win over France’s Benjamin Bonzi, while Djokovic defeated Czech Tomáš Macháč.

The Czech Fire Rescue Service (HZS) will soon conduct inspections of restaurants, including patios, to verify the legality of structures, gas heaters, and propane tanks. The move follows a deadly fire in Most that killed seven people. Inspections are expected to begin in February, focusing on building permits, gas appliance safety, and the proper handling of gas cylinders. The fire may have been caused by a toppled gas heater.

The Czech government is set to discuss a proposal requiring employers to contribute to pension savings for workers in high-risk jobs. The plan, covering employees exposed to extreme temperatures, physical strain, or vibrations, suggests contributions ranging from 3 percent to 4 percent of earnings. The goal is to make it easier for these workers to access early retirement funds. Labor unions criticize the proposal, arguing it bypasses social dialogue.

Opava’s Ratibořská street bridge, severely damaged by last year’s flood, is being demolished by construction company DAV. A temporary bridge will be in use until a new one is built later this year. Traffic is diverted during the demolition, which will take place over the weekend. The damaged bridge, a key route in the Czech town, serves around 19,000 vehicles daily.

Hundreds gathered at Most’s Church of the Assumption for a memorial mass honoring seven victims of the Jan. 12 restaurant fire. Mayor Marek Hrvol stressed community unity during the tragedy. Floral tributes brought by attendees will be moved to a new memorial at Pod Koňským vrchem cemetery. The fire caused seven deaths and eight injuries, with five patients still hospitalized. Donations for affected families have exceeded CZK 260,000.

Starting Sunday night, British troops will transit through Czechia to participate in NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2025 exercise in Romania. Around 300 personnel and over 100 vehicles will travel in convoys, primarily at night, via highways D8, D1, and D2, with a rest stop at Rančířov. Czech Military Police and Police ČR will assist the convoy. The exercise aims to enhance rapid response capabilities in southeastern Europe, testing Czech logistical support for allied forces.

Czech authorities extradited a 55-year-old man suspected of murdering his wife in Slovakia, Slovak police confirmed this week. The suspect allegedly killed his wife in a village near Bratislava last week before fleeing to Brno, where Czech police arrested him intoxicated in a parked car. Extradited under a European arrest warrant, he faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Matěj Jurásek has transferred from Slavia Prague to Norwich City, the English Football League Championship club confirmed Monday. The 21-year-old winger played 69 matches and scored 12 goals for Slavia. He has also appeared in four matches for the Czech national team. His transfer follows that of goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, who recently moved from Slavia to Tottenham Hotspur.

Prague police arrested a man who threatened to attack Prague university buildings on New Year’s Day and claimed to have killed someone, officials said Monday. The man, heavily intoxicated, repeatedly called emergency services, threatening attacks at Charles University’s Faculties of Law and Arts. Police found his partner alive but unwell and evacuated a building due to a bomb scare. The suspect faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

Renowned Czech restorer and artist František Makes has died in Sweden at age 93, his nephew confirmed Monday. Makes gained global fame for his enzyme-based conservation techniques, restoring royal collections and the looted art of Rudolf II. Born in Zlín, he emigrated after the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. His work preserved cultural treasures, earning him the Gratias Agit award and Sweden’s highest cultural honor.