Czech news in brief for December 22: Friday's top headlines

Czech film Bratři (The Brothers) directed by Tomáš Mašín, failed to secure a spot on the shortlist for the American Film Academy's Oscar nominations in the best foreign film category. The Academy released a list of 15 films that garnered attention, including entries from Ukraine, France, Britain, Germany, Armenia, and Bhutan.

Final nominations will be revealed in January. Among the shortlisted films are The Teachers' Lounge from Germany, Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer, The Snow Brotherhood from Spain, the French historical drama The Art of Eating and Loving, and the Finnish comedy Karaoke Blues.

The Czech Republic is bracing for adverse weather conditions over the weekend, with rising river levels and the possibility of floods. Intense snowfall is expected in the northeastern regions and mountains on Friday night, transitioning to rain in some areas. Strong winds persist, forming snowdrifts in locations with snow cover.

Warmer air will reach the southwest on Saturday, leading to rain, while the northeast will experience continued snowfall. Meteorologists anticipate heavy precipitation, with up to 15 centimeters of wet snow in the northeast and higher amounts in mountainous areas. Flood activity is expected to increase, particularly in Bohemia, reaching the second level by Saturday.

Interior Minister Vit Rakusan announced the extension of heightened security measures in Prague until Jan. 1 following the recent shooting at Charles University's Faculty of Arts. The preventive measures include increased surveillance of soft targets, with police officers using long guns.

Rakusan expressed concern about potential inspiration from the shooter but stated no imminent danger is known. Police President Martin Vondrasek contacted regional police chiefs, emphasizing preventive patrols and introducing a crisis phone line. The tragic incident resulted in 14 deaths, including the shooter, and 25 injuries, with three foreigners among the wounded.

In the aftermath of the tragic events in Prague Thursday, the largest Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in the Czech Republic will pay respect to the victims by canceling planned programs, including tree animations and live cultural performances.

The markets will operate with subdued and eventually muted music as a gesture of solemnity. Hana Tietze, spokesperson for market organizer Taiko, announced the modifications, reflecting a collective decision to observe a period of quiet reflection and respect for those affected by the recent tragedy in Prague.

The Czech Republic is on the brink of an infectious disease epidemic, with the highly contagious omicron subvariant JN.1 spreading rapidly. On Monday, a record 3,670 new Covid-19 cases were reported, the highest since last October. Epidemiologists warn that the JN.1 variant is the most contagious yet, continuously evolving to bypass immunity from vaccination or prior infection.

Flu and other respiratory viruses are also surging in the country. Testing remains crucial, especially for the elderly and chronically ill, to differentiate between COVID-19 and the flu. Hospitalizations haven't surged, but viruses are notably affecting young children.

Following the tragic shooting Thursday at the Charles University Faculty of Arts in Prague, all the injured victims, numbering over twenty, are reported to be in stable condition, as announced by Prague hospitals. Although some individuals sustained serious and extensive injuries, all are expected to survive.

Bulovka Hospital told iDnes it has received a total of seven patients with gunshot wounds - gunshot wounds to the head, chest, abdomen, and limbs. Three were in serious condition, four in moderate condition. All are stable at this time.

A carbon monoxide leak prompted the mass evacuation of 60 people from an ice rink in Litvinov, North Bohemia. Ten children under 10, exposed to the leak, received medical care and were transported to hospitals by ambulances.

Firefighters, responding to the incident, ventilated the building by 11 p.m., eliminating carbon monoxide, but detected an elevated methane concentration near the sewer. Rescuers treated several children at the scene for minor injuries. Gas engineers continued addressing the methane leak in the sewer.

Czech billionaire Pavel Tykac has acquired the Slavia Prague football club from the Chinese CITIC Group. The purchase contract was signed, marking the end of CITIC Group's five-year ownership. The club's previous owner was another Chinese company, CEFT, which purchased it in 2015.

The exact sale amount remains undisclosed, with media estimates around two billion crowns. The deal includes the football club's arena, Eden Stadium. Jaroslav Tvrdik will continue as the head of the club's board, while Tykac will lead the supervisory board. Tykac, a major player in the Czech energy market, is the country's fourth wealthiest individual.

All seven members of the Czech National Bank's (ČNB) banking board unanimously supported a quarter-point reduction in the basic interest rate to 6.75 percent, as announced by CNB Governor Aleš Michl. The decision, aimed at addressing fading cost and demand inflationary pressures, aligns with preliminary indicators pointing to economic stagnation in the fourth quarter.

Michl justified the move, emphasizing the diminishing inflationary factors in the Czech economy. The CNB anticipates a drop in inflation to three percent at the start of the next year. The unanimous support underscores a collective response to economic indicators and inflationary trends.

Polish group Maspex is set to acquire Czech liqueur Jan Becher-Karlovarská Becherovka (JBKB) from French company Pernod Ricard, with the transaction details undisclosed. The sales contract was signed, and completion is expected by June 2024. JBKB, established in 1807, holds a rich tradition in herbal liqueurs and was privatized in 2001 under Pernod Ricard's ownership.

Maspex, Central and Eastern Europe's largest private food sector company sees Becherovka as a means to strengthen its presence in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, aligning with the market trend favoring lower-alcohol content drinks. Maspex's diverse portfolio includes over 70 brands.