Czech news in brief for December 4: Thursday's top afternoon headlines

Czech year-on-year inflation eased to 2.1 percent in November, down from 2.5 percent in October and the lowest since April, according to a preliminary estimate from the Czech Statistical Office released Thursday. Prices fell 0.3 percent month-to-month, driven by cheaper energy, which dropped 3.8 percent annually. Excluding energy, inflation would have reached 2.9 percent. Analysts said the slowdown was surprising but expect the central bank to remain cautious and hold rates.

Police intervened at a school near Prague’s Old Town Square on Thursday morning after receiving a report of a student-related threat, spokesman Richard Hrdina said. Officers detained the student and confirmed there was no danger to the public. The incident occurred at a school on Malá Štupartská Street, though no further details were released. Police are investigating, and Hrdina said the situation may have stemmed from a communication misunderstanding.

Politics, celebrity moments and consumer mishaps defined Czech Google searches in 2025, according to Google’s Year in Search. Parliamentary elections topped national queries, while pop star Dua Lipa led foreign personality results after a surprise Prague duet. A euro-to-crown pricing error by Reebok sparked one of the year’s biggest spikes. Gaming, memes, and the streaming boom also dominated search categories.

The European Commission has opened an antitrust probe into Meta Platforms over concerns that planned AI changes to WhatsApp Business could restrict competitors, the Commission said Wednesday. The EC fears new rules would block other AI services while favoring Meta’s own tools. Italy is conducting a separate investigation. Meta declined comment to FT but has said previous complaints are unfounded and do not affect businesses using other AI assistants.

Theodor Pistek, the Czech artist and Oscar-winning costume designer celebrated for his work on Milos Forman’s 1985 film Amadeus, has died at 93, his family told CTK Wednesday. Pistek also collaborated with Forman on Valmont and The People vs. Larry Flynt. A graduate of Prague’s Academy of Fine Arts, he designed Prague Castle Guard uniforms after 1989 and earned major honors including the Medal of Merit and Czech Lion.