Czech news in brief for January 23: Friday's top afternoon headlines

Prague police responded to reports of gunfire at a vocational school in the Žižkov district on Friday afternoon. Officers evacuated several classrooms and conducted a room-by-room search of the building. No injuries were reported, and no shooter or weapon was located during the sweep. Authorities later confirmed the threat was not credible and normal operations in the area resumed shortly after the intervention.

Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka announced that the Czech Army was prepared to provide four L-159 subsonic fighter jets to Ukraine. The move was part of a broader military assistance package aimed at strengthening Ukrainian aerial capabilities. While the transfer of these specific aircraft did not ultimately take place due to international coordination and equipment shifts, Řehka emphasized that the Czech military continues to prioritize support through other technical and material means.

Czechoslovak Group (CSG), the industrial-technological conglomerate owned by Michal Strnad, has overtaken energy giant ČEZ to become the most valuable company in the Czech Republic by market capitalization. The shift follows a period of rapid international expansion and record earnings for CSG, driven largely by its defense and engineering divisions. This marks a significant change in the Czech corporate landscape, traditionally dominated by the state-controlled energy sector.

Meteorologists warn that poor air quality and smog conditions across the Czech Republic are unlikely to improve until Monday. High concentrations of airborne dust continue to affect several regions, particularly in Moravia and Bohemia. Health authorities advise residents, especially children and those with respiratory issues, to limit outdoor activities. A change in weather patterns early next week is expected to disperse the pollutants and restore normal air quality levels.

Czech star Ester Ledecká secured a third-place finish in the parallel giant slalom at the Snowboard World Cup in Rogla, Slovenia. After returning to the podium, Ledecká confirmed her strong form ahead of the upcoming world championships. Fellow Czech teammate Zuzana Maděrová also delivered a top-ten performance, finishing eighth. The results bolster the Czech team’s standing in the overall World Cup rankings during a competitive winter season.