Czech news in brief for March 17: Monday's top headlines

The Czech Committee of the International Press Institute (CZ IPI) has called on Czech politicians to collaborate in addressing a potential funding shortfall for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The US government plans to cut funding, and the Committee urges European cooperation to ensure the station’s long-term viability. RFE/RL, headquartered in Czechia, has been instrumental in promoting free journalism in countries with limited access to independent media.

Czech police have charged 13 people and eight companies following a 2023 raid on the Industry and Trade Ministry. The investigation focuses on subsidy calls from 2016 to 2018, when the ministry was led by ministers from the Social Democrats (CSSD) and ANO. The National Central Office against Organised Crime conducted the raid in September, but no charges were filed until now.

Analysts forecast ongoing food price hikes in the Czech Republic, driven by rising agricultural and food industry costs. In February, agricultural prices surged 9.3 percent year-on-year, with food industry inflation reaching 2.5 percent. Experts warn this will prevent the Czech National Bank from meeting its 2 percent inflation target for 2025. While industrial prices dropped, service prices rose, contributing to persistent inflation pressures.

The Czech Republic will send a military medical team to North Macedonia tonight following a nightclub fire in Kocani that killed at least 59 people and injured 155, the government announced. The 10-member team will fly on a CASA C-295 aircraft. Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized solidarity in crises, while Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed no Czechs were among the victims.

Dozens gathered in Václav Havel Square Sunday to mark three years since Russia’s deadly attack on a Mariupol theater sheltering around 1,000 people. Czech Human Rights Commissioner Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková condemned Russia’s actions, honoring civilian victims and war responders. Attendees chalked “children” in Russian—a plea once written outside the theater—before lighting candles in remembrance.

Fraudsters posing as police officers and central bank employees have extorted over CZK 20 million from more than 100 victims in recent weeks, Czech police warned on X. Scammers falsely claim bank accounts are hacked, coercing victims to transfer or withdraw funds. Authorities stress that real police and bankers never request money transfers and urge the public to remain vigilant.

A Czech skier died Sunday on Medvědín Mountain near Špindlerův Mlýn after hitting a solid barrier, succumbing to his injuries on the spot, the Mountain Rescue Service confirmed. Despite efforts from rescuers and a helicopter team, he could not be saved. This marks the second Czech skier fatality this week, following a Monday accident in Austria’s Styria region.

The number of Czechs flying to exotic destinations has surged, with 269,000 passengers on direct charter flights from Prague in 2023, up from 199,000 the previous year and 57,000 in 2019. More destinations—including Thailand, Vietnam, and the Dominican Republic—are now offered. Travel agencies report rising winter demand, with couples leading bookings. Despite higher prices, exotic vacations are becoming a year-round trend.

The week will begin with cold temperatures and occasional snow showers, but a warm air influx from the south will bring significantly milder weather by midweek. Afternoon highs will exceed 15°C by Thursday, despite frosty mornings. The weekend will see variable cloudiness and isolated showers, with Sunday temperatures potentially reaching 18°C. Thursday also marks the vernal equinox, signaling the official start of spring.