Czech news in brief for November 14: Thursday's top headlines

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has said that the government aims to use all available tools to address issues in the food market. He referenced a meeting between Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný and the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Economic Competition (ÚOHS), Petr Mlsna, along with other officials. The ÚOHS is investigating rising butter prices, suspecting oligopolies may be at play. However, Fiala emphasized that the state will not regulate butter prices. The first investigation results are expected in spring 2025.

Travel company TUI plans to expand further in the Czech market next year, according to Marcin Dymnicki, the company’s CEO for the Czech Republic and Poland. Since its entry this spring, TUI has served 50,000 Czech clients and aims to double that number next season by offering 20 travel destinations, including Antalya, Crete, and Mallorca. Future plans include charter flights to long-haul exotic locations, with new destinations like Menorca, İzmir, and Tunisia also being added.

Lower Austrian police reported that they arrested a 45-year-old Czech man on Sept. 10 for smuggling cannabis into Austria since January 2022. The man, who crossed the border near Wulzeshofen with nearly a kilogram of cannabis and banned weapons, sold around EUR 19,000 (CZK 480,770) worth of marijuana to Austrian customers, including minors, over two years. He also sold cannabis to Austrians in the Czech Republic. Investigators identified approximately 36 of his clients.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that, after expressing interest in congratulating U.S. President Donald Trump on his re-election, the White House arranged a phone call. Trump called Fiala directly and warmly recalled his connection to the Czech Republic. During the 12-minute conversation, Trump asked Fiala's views on the Ukraine and Middle East situations, attentively listening to his perspectives. Fiala emphasized that ending Russian aggression in Ukraine and stabilizing the Middle East requires U.S. leadership.

According to Prague Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil and Prague City Tourism, Prague has introduced the Official City Partner program to strengthen high-quality, culture-focused tourism. The program certifies hotels that meet specific service standards and long-term collaboration criteria. Participating hotels receive a quality label, data access, promotional opportunities, and event participation. With 22 luxury hotels currently enrolled and more to join, Prague aims to attract tourists interested in a deeper cultural experience, benefiting both the city and its residents.

Czech President Petr Pavel is not planning a phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Pavel’s spokesperson Filip Platos announced Monday. Following Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s recent call with Trump, Pavel sees no immediate need for direct contact. Pavel emphasized maintaining strong Czech-U.S. relations, regardless of personal opinions, and commented on the vulnerability of democratic systems in light of recent U.S. election outcomes.

The Czech government approved a Criminal Code amendment to increase penalties for crimes motivated by sexual orientation, gender, or disability. Offenders in such cases may face one to five years in prison, up from six months to three years. The amendment also expands protections to include monetary penalties, limited cannabis possession legalization, and a proposed certificate to prevent convicted individuals from working with children.

University climate strikes kicked off today in Prague, Brno, and Olomouc, organized by the University for the Climate initiative. Events include lectures, debates, and a protest march titled "The End of Oligarchy in Bohemia" on Nov. 17 in Prague. Students aim to highlight climate and housing crises, criticizing wealth inequality and fossil fuel profits, and calling for systemic changes for social and environmental justice.

Brno-Tuřany Airport will introduce regular flights to Malaga, Spain, beginning March 31. Operated by Ryanair, flights will run twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays. This addition aims to meet rising demand for international travel, with other potential routes under consideration. Brno Airport has seen a record year, with a 10 percent increase in passenger traffic, largely driven by Mediterranean-bound charter flights.

Google announced a test program with EU publishers to assess the impact of displaying European news content in search results. For one percent of users in nine EU countries, Google will exclude European news content in Google Search, News, and Discover. The company says the test, which won't affect current publisher payments, aims to address EU copyright compliance and follows calls from media organizations.