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

This year’s Christmas tree for Prague’s Old Town Square has been sourced from Krompach, in Czechia's Liberec Region. The 53-year-old spruce, standing over 20 meters tall, was felled today under the guidance of forestry champion Jiří Vorlíček. Owner Roman Kubeš donated the tree, concerned about its roots threatening his home. The tree, weighing nearly five tons, will arrive in Prague on Nov. 26 for installation and decoration with festive ornaments and lights.

Freezing rain is expected across northern and eastern Czechia tonight and into Sunday morning. The worst conditions are anticipated in Liberec region, where ice formation may be severe. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute issued a warning for slippery roads and sidewalks, advising caution for both drivers and pedestrians. The warning will be in effect from midnight Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

A fatal collision occurred this morning at a railroad crossing near Mšeno, Central Bohemia, when a car crashed into a train. Two people in the car died at the scene, while the 15 passengers aboard the train were uninjured. Emergency responders attempted to revive the car's occupants but were unsuccessful. Train services between Lhotka u Mělníka and Mšeno have been halted, with replacement buses arranged for passengers. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Czech basketball players have a chance to secure their fifth consecutive EuroBasket appearance with a win over the Netherlands in Hague on Sunday. Following a 96-74 victory in Pardubice, they need to beat the Netherlands again to advance from Group F. The team is considering adding Tomáš Satoranský from Barcelona, though his participation depends on his availability. Despite a strong first game, coach Diego Ocampo cautioned that the Netherlands, playing at home, will be a tough opponent.

Defense Minister Jana Černochová defended her use of the term "blbečci" in a social media post from September. She argued that the word, meaning "fools" or "simpletons," is not vulgar but an expression for individuals acting irrationally or foolishly. This came after MP Martin Kolovratník criticized her language, calling it inappropriate for a minister. Černochová clarified that her comment was aimed at those spreading misinformation, not people with differing opinions.

Over 2,000 stores and online platforms in Czechia are participating in today's nationwide food drive. From 8 a.m to 6 p.m., shoppers can donate non-perishable food and hygiene products to aid seniors, low-income families, and children in need. This spring's drive collected a record 565 tons of goods. Volunteers will assist with collections at store checkouts, while donations continue online until December 3. A map of participating stores is available on the event's website.

Five key documents, including the 1992 law dissolving Czechoslovakia, have been added to Czechia's list of archival cultural heritage, the Interior Ministry has announced. The law, approved on Nov. 25, 1992, enabled the creation of independent Czechia and Slovakia. Other newly listed items include the 1968 Czechoslovak Federation law and the 1920 Constitutional Charter documents. Czechia now protects over 180 heritage records, ensuring special treatment for historically significant materials.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka's death, a manuscript and letter by the writer will be auctioned in Hamburg on Saturday. The five-page manuscript of Erstes Leid and a 1922 letter are estimated to fetch up to €280,000 (over CZK 7 million). The auction also includes Orson Welles's original 1962 script for The Trial and a first edition of Metamorphosis. Kafka, who lived in Prague for most of his life, remains one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Two wisent bulls from Milovice’s large ungulate reserve will be sent to Ukraine's Zalissia National Park to support its dwindling herd, reduced by war. The Milovice reserve and Zalissia agreed to collaborate on conservation. Transport awaits arrangement from Ukraine and the completion of an enclosure. The Zalissia park, heavily affected by fighting in 2022, lost most of its male wisents, dropping the population to 13. Milovice is also negotiating a transfer to Kyiv’s Beremytske Park.

The composition of Šumava’s forests is evolving, with fir trees (Abies alba) and mixed woodlands gaining prominence, according to the Šumava National Park’s latest survey. The fir population has tripled since 2000, rising from 4 million to 13 million trees. Mixed forests now account for 51% of the area, up from 27%. Officials attribute these positive trends to increased natural regeneration and reduced human intervention, aligning with the park's long-term goals for ecological restoration.

The Czech Justice Ministry has requested CZK 725 million from the state budget to cover retroactive pay adjustments for judges and prosecutors, following a Constitutional Court ruling. The court found previous salary reductions unconstitutional, necessitating CZK 668.7M for judges and CZK 56.4M for prosecutors. The proposed salary base for judges in 2024 is CZK 121,685. Judicial representatives oppose the plan, citing constitutional concerns.