Czech news in brief for May 20: Tuesday's top headlines

Prices for six of 13 monitored food items rose in May compared to April, the Czech Statistical Office reported Monday. Edam cheese saw the steepest monthly increase at 7.5 percent. Year-on-year, eggs jumped 52.8 percent and butter 22.3 percent. Other notable annual increases include apples (16.8 percent) and yogurt (14.7 percent). Agricultural producer prices also rose, up 15.7 percent from April 2024, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth driven by both crop and livestock production.

Sixty-seven percent of Czech teens experienced cyberbullying and 94 percent encountered hate speech online in the past year, a new Ipsos survey revealed Tuesday. Commissioned by T-Mobile and In Iustitia, the study found that over half of adolescents from minority groups, including Ukrainians and the disabled, face frequent online abuse. The most common forms of cyberbullying were insults and false rumors. Analysts warn growing normalization of abuse demands stronger responses from schools and organizations.

Czech President Petr Pavel on Tuesday called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “untenable” and urged urgent action. Speaking to media in Brussels, Pavel said Czechia must distinguish its broad support for Israel from endorsement of specific actions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. He noted several international initiatives, backed by over 20 countries, urging Israel to boost aid and halt military operations. Czechia has not joined any of those efforts so far.

Fewer Czech teens are smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or using cannabis, according to the latest European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Nearly 3,000 16-year-olds participated in the 2023 study, which found substance use lower than 30 years ago. However, use of alternative nicotine products, risky drinking, and psychoactive drugs is rising. The survey, conducted in 37 countries, also revealed Czech teens feel worse off than peers across Europe.

 A Czech man who traveled to Russia and joined its army is now seeking assistance from Czech authorities, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The ministry reiterated warnings against travel to Russia due to security risks and limited embassy support. Czech law prohibits citizens from serving in foreign armies without presidential exemption. Officials say the case will be handled under Czech law and the Vienna Convention. 

Czech President Petr Pavel begins meetings in Brussels today with EU leaders and Czech MEPs. He will speak with European Council President António Costa, Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Talks will focus on European security, Ukraine support, U.S. tariffs, and EU reform. Pavel will also address a public debate and meet NATO’s Mark Rutte in Belgium through Wednesday.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Gaza’s humanitarian crisis “alarming,” reaffirming support for aid flow and international law. The Czech Republic contributed 20 million crowns and urged Israel to facilitate humanitarian access. EU and UK leaders echoed calls for a ceasefire and aid delivery.

The Czechia, Work! initiative unveiled 12 steps for a more efficient state, including simplified procurement and reforms to the Chamber of Deputies' procedures. The bipartisan plan, shaped by experts, urges ministers to set measurable goals and pushes for clearer priorities and streamlined bureaucracy.

Slovakia will not support the World Health Organization’s pandemic agreement, citing sovereignty and human rights concerns. Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed the stance after talks with WHO officials, despite criticism from coalition partner Hlas-SD, opposition parties, and scientists. The Czech Republic said the agreement respects national sovereignty.

A public farewell for actor Jiří Bartoška begins today at Prague’s Rudolfinum. The longtime president of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival died on May 8 at age 78. Visitors can pay respects in Dvořák Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A private ceremony for colleagues and friends will follow. The upcoming film festival will proceed as planned, with Bartoška honored in memoriam.

Czech students can apply for the second round of secondary school admissions starting today, with a deadline of May 26. Vacancies are listed in the DiPSy system. Only those who took the first-round exam can apply to fields that require it. Entrance tests will run June 9–12. Results will be released June 24. Prague still has over 4,000 openings, including in region-run and private schools

The Czech hockey team faces the U.S. today in its final group game at the World Championship. A win secures first place and a quarterfinal in Herning. A loss in regular time could drop the Czechs to third. The game begins at 16:20 local time. The Czechs have dropped only one point so far, in an overtime win against Switzerland earlier in the tournament.