Czech news in brief for December 27: Friday's top headlines

 Six people were arrested for smuggling 15 kilos of cocaine from Peru to the Czech Republic, hidden in bottles labeled as wine or alcohol. The group, operating since 2020, faces large-scale trafficking charges. If convicted, they could face up to 18 years in prison. Authorities seized cash, firearms, and drugs.

A knife attack in North Bohemia early Thursday left two people dead and a third seriously injured. The victims and the attacker were family members, police said. The suspect was arrested at the scene. Paramedics rushed the injured person to a trauma center. Authorities have not released further details as the investigation continues.

The Czech fairy tale Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973) ranks as the second most popular Christmas film in Germany, after Home Alone (1990), according to a YouGov survey. Twenty-two percent of Germans favored the Czech film, which was co-produced with East Germany and starred Libuše Šafránková.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Christmas speech, warning against “fearmongers,” drew backlash from opposition leaders, who accused him of targeting them ahead of next year’s elections. ANO’s Karel Havlíček called the speech a political attack, while ruling party leaders praised Fiala’s vision of a united, self-confident Czech Republic. Critics argued the government failed to address key issues, while supporters highlighted its commitment to progress and European values.

Slovakia has offered to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. During a Moscow meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, topics included the Ukraine war and gas transit disputes. Fico’s visit drew criticism from Slovakia’s opposition, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. Moscow stressed it seeks a legally binding peace agreement, while Kyiv has expressed reluctance to renew Russian gas transit contracts.

The Czech Republic faced widespread frost overnight, with temperatures plunging as low as -16°C in Šumava. Inversions kept mountain temperatures above freezing, while lowlands saw icy roads and freezing fog. Meteorologists warned drivers of slippery conditions lasting all day in shaded areas. A smog alert was issued for the Moravian-Silesian Region due to high dust concentrations, prompting potential industrial limits. Warmer, sunnier weather is expected in some areas.

Post-Christmas sales began today in Czech stores and online, offering discounts on electronics, clothing, and cosmetics through January. Shoptet reports 85 percent of e-shops are participating, with discounts averaging 45 percent. Retailers, including Alza, Tesco, and Globus, expect higher sales than last year. Many extend return periods for unsuitable gifts. A recent law amendment mandates transparent discount pricing. October retail sales rose 5.5 percent year-on-year, marking 11 months of growth.

Climate change is driving the spread and intensity of wildfires globally, according to Czech scientists from the Czech Academy of Sciences. Studies reveal fire frequency and burned areas have increased, particularly in subtropical regions, due to warming and drought. Fast-moving fires, responsible for significant damage, have more than doubled since 2001. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for updated modeling of emissions, as wildfires increasingly contribute to climate change.