Czech news in brief for January 4: Saturday's top headlines

Overnight snow in Bohemia and Moravia left roads passable but requiring caution, especially at higher elevations, where icy patches and snow drifts persist. Lower-altitude roads are treated with salt, while gravel is used in mountain areas. Northern Bohemia faces snow tongues and ice, prompting warnings for winter equipment. Meteorologists forecast freezing rain and thick ice by Sunday evening.

The Three Kings' procession, featuring Magi on camels, crossed Charles Bridge in Prague today to promote Caritas Czech Republic's charity campaign. Archbishop Jan Graubner blessed carollers, marking the 25th fundraising anniversary. Donations collected from Jan. 1–14 support local, regional, and international projects. The parade ended at Old Town Square, with events across Czech towns. Last year’s campaign raised a record CZK 175.6 million.

Government Commissioner for Roma Minority Affairs Lucie Fukova criticized Ostrava Deputy Mayor Alena Pataky for stating Roma children are genetically different and unfit for non-segregated schools. Fukova called the remarks offensive and stressed Roma face systemic barriers in education, not genetic limitations. Human Rights Commissioner Klara Simackova Laurencikova added that segregation deepens societal divides. Roughly 12 percent of Roma children attend special schools in Czechia.

Police are searching for Václav Klouda, 38, who escaped from a psychiatric hospital Tuesday. Authorities released his photo and description on the X network. Klouda, considered a dangerous sexual aggressor, is 178 cm tall with blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket and sweatpants. Klouda was ordered to undergo protective treatment. Residents are urged to report sightings immediately.

Nearly 5,800 people registered for unemployment online in the first two days of January, the Czech Employment Office reported. About 4,700 applied for benefits via the new Jenda portal using electronic IDs. Labor offices also assisted over 4,500 applicants with digital submissions. The digital system aims to reduce paperwork and improve efficiency. Most applications came from South Moravia, with Central Bohemia, Moravia-Silesia, and Prague following.