The Daily Dozen: 12 things to know about Czechia today

Smuggled Russian goods|Due to gaps in the enforcement of EU sanctions, Russian goods continue to reach the EU with false papers, Seznam Zprávy reports. A Russian smuggler told the paper that the goods come "through Georgia to Turkey, or by boat from Novorossiysk to Istanbul.” They then head to Bulgaria, which is the country of origin in the paperwork for the goods.

Egg prices|Due to an outbreak of bird flu, around 750,000 laying hens are being culled this week in West Bohemia, a measure likely to affect egg prices in Czechia. These represent roughly 15 percent of the approximately 5 million hens in the Czech Republic, and would have laid over 600,000 eggs daily. Read more in our story.

Roma rights|Last month, Prime Minister Petr Fiala's government created the post of Government Commissioner for Roma Community Affairs, and appointed ethnic Romni Lucie Fuková to the position, Deutsche Welle reports. Fuková said her priorities included easing Roma people's access to education and professional training, improving relations between the communities, and educating people on Roma history.

Cycling|Czech cyclists are not feeling safe due to inconvenient and unsafe routes, EUobserver reports. Some of the issues contributing to this are seemingly "nice" routes that "lead into unclear crossroads without alternatives," as well as "cycling tracks connecting two cities, but once inside lead[ing] into dangerous main roads shared with cars."

Road traffic|Drivers in the Czech Republic should brace for big changes in driving penalties. These include higher fines for offenses such as drunk driving, refusing an alcohol test, and running a red light. Additionally, the point system for fines will change to three bands of point penalties from the current five. Read more in our story.

Tunnel closure|The Žižkov Tunnel connecting Prague’s Žižkov and Karlín districts will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists for two weeks, starting on Monday, Jan. 16, and until Sunday, Jan. 29. The Prague 3 district recommends that people use public transit instead as there is no other easy way to get across Vítkov Hill. Read more in our story.

Three Kings|The Christmas season in the Czech Republic ends tomorrow, Jan. 6, with the feast of the Three Kings, also known as Epiphany, according to Seznam Zprávy. Several cities including Prague will see processions tomorrow afternoon. Additionally, groups of carolers dressed as the Three Kings will go around households, sing carols, and draw K + M + B (the initials of Biblical kings Kašpar, Melichar, and Baltazar) in consecrated chalk.

Hockey hopes|The Czech junior hockey team is in the run for a gold medal after defeating the Swedish team yesterday in the semi-finals, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation. The Czechs face Canada today for a chance at a gold at the World Junior (under 20) Championships. The Czechs junior hockey team scored 35 goals so far, more than at any of their World Junior Championships, except the one in 1995, when they scored 43 goals in seven games. 

Public skiing|On Jan. 5, 1887, Josef Rössler-Ořovský skied down Wenceslas Square in the first public use of skis in the Czech Republic. Rössler-Ořovský was one of seminal figures in 19th century Czech sports, and the founder of the first ski club in Europe outside Scandinavia, the first Czech lawn tennis club and the Czech yacht club, among other notable achievements.