Czech news in brief for November 23: Thursday's top headlines

Czechs have continued to decrease their electricity consumption, reducing it by 4.8 percent in the first three quarters of this year. The Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) reported a decrease in consumption among households in the third quarter.

Electricity production has also fallen, with a 13.3 percent drop in the third quarter. The Czech Republic remains an exporter of electricity, but the cross-border balance decreased by 39.3 percent year-on-year.

The Mountain Service in the Krkonoše Mountains has issued a warning for frost and ice on tourist routes. Tourists are advised to use snowshoes and trekking poles. Additionally, meteorologists have issued a strong wind warning for most of the Czech Republic. The wind speed on Sněžka, the highest peak in the Krkonoše Mountains, reached over 100 kilometers per hour with gusts over 130 km/h.

The temperature in the area of Sněžka was around minus 2 degrees, but due to the strong wind, the temperature felt like minus 15 degrees. The cable car to Sněžka is closed for maintenance until Dec. 15. Meteorologists are predicting cloudy to overcast conditions with occasional rain or snowfall at altitudes above 1100 meters.

The Czech General Inspection of Security Corps (GIBS) is prosecuting a former police officer, four police officers, and seven civilians on suspicion of illegally issuing firearm licenses. A former police officer allowed applicants to obtain licenses for bribes in at least 20 cases between August 2021 and February 2023, with police officers neglecting checks.

The examiner faces up to five years in prison and a professional ban, while the police officers could receive one-year prison sentences and professional bans. The seven civilian applicants face up to two years in prison and a fine if found guilty of bribery.

The Catholic Church in the Czech Republic reported a profit of over CZK 1 billion last year, an increase of CZK 400 million from the previous year. While spiritual activities like masses and religious instruction cost CZK 1.9 billion, economic activities generated CZK 1.66 billion in profits.

The Church pays taxes on these profits and contributes over half of the CZK 580 million it receives annually from the state. A large source of income comes from forests and lands, which the Church manages through companies. This profitability will become more important after 2030 when state subsidies cease according to the agreement that settled Church property claims.

The Czech Republic has acquired capacity in the onshore LNG terminal in Germany, which is currently under construction, in cooperation with the ČEZ energy group. Starting in 2027, the Czech Republic will have access to two billion cubic meters of gas per year, which is over a quarter of its current domestic consumption.

The contract with the operator is for 15 years, with the possibility of extension. Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized that this investment strengthens the country's energy security.

Football governance body Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) fined the Czech football club Slavia Praha EUR 91,625 (CZK 223,000) by UEFA for incidents during their Europa League match against AS Roma. The fine is the highest ever imposed on the club. Slavia won the match 2-0 on Nov. 9.

The UEFA disciplinary body cited organizational shortcomings and fan behavior as reasons for the fine. The club was penalized for blocking passageways, lighting fireworks, unsporting conduct, throwing objects, and offensive slogans. Additionally, assistant coach Zdeněk Houštecký was suspended from one UEFA club competition match.

Over 50 percent of primary and secondary schools nationwide will take part in Monday's one-day strike over education funding, according to union officials, with some closing and others operating at limited capacity.

Teachers and school employees are using the token strike to demand higher wages and protest planned budget cuts that would reduce hours and resources. Some of the striking teachers will also join a Monday march through Prague and a demonstration on Lesser Town Square near the lower house of parliament.

Non-alcoholic beverage maker Kofola ČeskoSlovensko is purchasing a majority share of Pivovary CZ Group, producer of Holba, Zubr, and Litovel beers. The acquisition, subject to antitrust approval, is expected to close early next year, though financial details will remain confidential.

Pivovary CZ is the Czech Republic's fifth-largest brewery group and exports over a third of its 800,000 hectoliters annual production. Kofola CEO Jannis Samaras said the deal will help the traditional brands grow while maintaining their craft.

Deutsche Bahn prefers a 30-km single tunnel under the Ore Mountains for a high-speed rail line between Prague and Dresden over a two-tunnel option, a spokesman said. Experts examined scenarios for the 27-km German section and determined one continuous underground route causes the least ecological disruption and allows optimal transport.

Supporting improved cross-border connectivity, Saxon economy head Martin Dulig called timely completion a priority, noting EU funding. Residents also favor the minimal disturbance of a single bore. Construction of the first stage from Prague via Ústí nad Labem toward Dresden should begin in 2027, shortening travel between the cities from 2.5 hours to one.

The Czech Republic fell just short of reaching the Davis Cup semifinals, losing a hard-fought match to Australia 1-2. Tomáš Macháč kicked things off with a straight-sets win over Jordan Thompson. However, World No. 12 Alex de Minaur outlasted Jiří Lehečka in three sets. In the doubles, Lehečka and Adam Pavlásek pushed top-ranked Australians Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell to the limit before falling in two close sets.

Captain Jaroslav Navrátil praised his team's effort against tough opposition, highlighting quality tennis from Macháč and Lehečka's strong showing against a top-10 foe. While disappointed, the Czechs displayed promise in a breakout Davis Cup campaign.

Czech arms manufacturer Colt CZ reported a 1.5 percent rise in nine-month profit to CZK 1.5 billion but saw a 3 percent lower revenue of CZK 9.9 billion, blaming slowing U.S. commercial arms sales and currency effects. Weapon unit sales fell 12.2 percent to 448,859. EBITDA dropped 17.3 percent to CZK 1.9 billion.

Nearly half of the revenue came from the U.S., with the Czech Republic the second largest market. Full-year revenue is projected to rise 4.2-6.2 percent to CZK 15.2-15.5 billion but EBITDA may fall 1.9 percent to CZK 3-3.3 billion.

Around 200 demonstrators gathered in Wenceslas Square yesterday evening to protest Israeli actions in Gaza and call for fair media reporting on the conflict. The Not In Our Name! initiative spokesperson criticized recent government statements and announced a lawsuit against the city for limiting pro-Palestinian slogans.

Speakers urged journalists to carefully check sources rather than believing Israeli propaganda and to avoid language showing bias. Another demonstration is planned for next week to push for objective coverage of suffering in Gaza.

A survey by the Czech School Inspectorate (CSI) survey found that Czech children are less eager to learn a second foreign language after mandatory classes in a first language. Most primary and some secondary students saw usefulness but wouldn't choose another if optional, except English—higher interest in learning a second language was seen more in grammar rather than in primary schools.

The CSI survey cites the inability to use a second language outside class as demotivating, with half unable to converse with native speakers. Three-fifths of primary teachers endorsed optional status for a second language, while grammar school teachers backed keeping it required.