Czech news in brief for February 21: Saturday's top morning headlines

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Friday he transferred all shares of conglomeration Agrofert into the private trust RSVP Trust, citing compliance with Czech and EU conflict-of-interest laws. He said he will have no influence over or benefit from the company. The move follows regulatory approvals in three EU states and a pledge made after his December appointment. Babiš previously said the holding would ultimately pass to his children.

Egg prices in Czech stores continue to rise as major supermarket chains phase out cage-produced eggs ahead of a national ban next year. A 10-pack averaged CZK 57.30 in January, up about 20 percent year-on-year, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Barn and free-range eggs now dominate shelves, while organic eggs can cost up to CZK 14 each. Farmers cite costly barn conversions and avian flu outbreaks as factors.

Czech hockey legend Jaromír Jágr said fans will likely not see him play again, hinting at the end of his career during an Instagram livestream. The 54-year-old forward last appeared for Kladno in the Extraliga on Dec. 21. Jágr, the NHL’s second all-time leading scorer, played six games this season. He said only a “miracle” would bring him back to competitive action.

A February election poll by NMS shows ANO leading with 32.6 percent, followed by ODS (14.7 percent) and STAN (14.6 percent). The Motorists would fall short of the 5 percent threshold with 4.7 percent, in the first poll conducted after party leader Petr Macinka’s disputed SMS messages to a presidential adviser. The new movement Naše Česko, led by South Bohemian governor Martin Kuba, also scored 4.7 percent. Voter urnout would reach 65 percent.

Police intervened last week at Prague’s Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) after a foreign student allegedly threatened to kill a professor. The student was detained within minutes. Some staff criticized the school’s crisis communication, saying a mass SMS alert system was not used. The faculty denies wrongdoing. Secretary Terezie Jenisová resigned Wednesday, citing personal reasons and rejecting any link to the incident.