Czech news in brief for January 20: Monday’s top headlines

The urns containing the remains of writers Vera and Milan Kundera were returned to Brno from Paris on Friday. They were handed over to Brno Mayor Markéta Vaňková and head of the Moravian Library Tomáš Kubíček, where they will remain until a grave is prepared. Milan Kundera, who authored The Unbearable Lightness of Being, died in July 2023, and his wife Vera passed away in September 2024. They will be laid to rest at Brno’s Central Cemetery. 

According to the Czech Statistical Office, flour prices in the Czech Republic rose 11.42 percent in January, to CZK 18.44 per kilogram. This marks the highest increase out of all basic foodstuffs. The hike follows warnings from Czech health authorities that had cited lower-quality harvests and reduced cereal planting across Europe. Despite the month-on-month rise, flour remains 9.61 percent cheaper than in January 2024. 

The Czech Republic is experiencing a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses, with cases increasing by 30 percent in the past week, particularly among children aged 6 to 14. Nationwide, 1,499 people per 100,000 are affected, with the South Moravian region reporting the highest rates. Influenza-like illnesses have surged by over 90 percent, signaling an epidemic, according to Jan Kynčl of the State Health Institute. Authorities urge caution as infections spread across all regions.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Prague today for talks on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. The discussions coincide with the Czech-Vietnamese business forum. Both countries are finalizing a strategic partnership, which could lead to increased cooperation in defense, science, and education. This year marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the nations, following Fiala’s visit to Hanoi in April 2023.

Police arrested a student at Rudolfov Elementary School near České Budějovice on Monday after he threatened a teacher with a firearm. The teacher disarmed him before officers arrived within five minutes. No one was injured, and classes resumed. A psychological intervention team was called to the scene. Education Minister Mikuláš Bek praised the swift response. A similar incident occurred at a nearby school two years ago.

Czech President Petr Pavel welcomed the Gaza ceasefire deal, calling it a key step toward stability. The Czech Foreign Ministry praised the release of three hostages but stressed that 95 remain captive. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský urged continued humanitarian aid. MEP Veronika Vrecionova warned of the high price of the deal, as Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip began Sunday morning with Gaza releasing the first hostages.

Rents in the Czech Republic rose by 7 percent year-on-year in Q4 2024 to an average of CZK 16,473 per month, according to UlovDomov.cz. Prices increased across major cities, with Prague and Brno seeing the highest costs. Rising demand and a housing shortage drove the growth. Mortgage payments in Prague and Brno were nearly double the cost of renting, highlighting affordability challenges.

Blue recycling bins across Czech cities are overflowing with cardboard boxes due to the rise in online shopping. Courier companies delivered a record 130 million packages last year, up 24 percent from 2023. New EU regulations, set for 2026, aim to cut packaging waste by 15 percent. Retailers are adjusting by using more efficient packaging methods to minimize empty space and reduce environmental impact.

Police are investigating Saturday’s crash of a historic WWII armored vehicle near Horní Dvořiště as a case of negligent homicide. Two people died, and eight were injured when the nine-ton vehicle skidded on an icy bridge and overturned into a stream. The driver will likely face charges, authorities said. Emergency services rescued survivors, while two men died at the scene.

The Forman Brothers Theatre has launched the Imaginary Landscape installation near Prague Zoo, featuring puppets and interactive games in a former brewery hall. Curator Matěj Forman described it as a “winter landscape” with a heated yurt for visitors. The exhibition runs weekends until April 13. The Imaginarium project has toured internationally, expanding with each edition.