Czech news in brief for June 10: Wednesday's top afternoon headlines

Good afternoon, a lot of talk today about the Czech Education Ministry's announcement of new rules on teaching foreign languages in schools. From September 2028, Czech primary schools won't be required to teach English from the first grade or a second foreign language from the seventh grade, the government has decided.

Experts are divided: some argue the move is reasonable considering the fact there are simply not enough qualified language teachers around; others call it a short-sighted and ill-conceived policy that will have a deeply negative impact on Czech children's linguistic skills. Now, to today's top headlines.

A 20-year-old Czech man who had threatened to carry out a school shooting and appeared to approve the Charles University mass murder has received a five-month suspended sentence, a Prague 8 court ruled. The state prosecutor claimed the young man has repeatedly brought weapons to his school and said the shooter from the December 2023 tragedy should have shot more people.

Not guilty plea. He has denied the charges, saying the statements were not meant seriously or were misunderstood, and appealed the decision. "I said that given the attacker's arsenal, there could have been many more victims," he said last year.

More context. Czech law enforcement authorities have been on a higher level of alert about possible school shootings over the past two and a half years, with fears of copycats sadly common in those situations. Such cases have also emerged outside of Prague, with criminal investigators in Ústí nad Labem responding, just a few months ago, to similar threats expressed by a university student.

The annual inflation rate in Czechia slowed down to 2.1 percent in May, down from 2.5 percent at the same time last year. It's the seventh lowest figure in Europe, and more than one percentage point lower than neighboring countries like Poland, Austria and Slovakia.

What's driving the trend? According to a detailed analysis by the Czech statistical office, the lower rise in consumer prices was driven by cheaper food prices compared to a year ago, as well as cheaper footwear and clothing. They warn, however, that the rise in energy and fuel costs hasn't been fully reflected yet.

The iconic Výton bridge under Vyšehrad can be repaired and its heritage value safeguarded for another 100 years, an international group of experts agreed by a vote of 8:1, the Czech National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) announced today. The recommendations - which include completely dismantling the bridge on the shore throughout the process - will serve as the basis for Czech authorities' reconstruction plans.

More context. In operation since 1872, the Výton railway bridge is seen by many as an important technical and cultural landmark of the capital. At the center of a heated debate for years between municipal authorities, city architects and preservationists, the bridge will face extensive repairs instead of being replaced, the Czech government agreed last September in the face of public backlash.

Direct flights between Prague and Toronto in Canada have resumed for the summer season, the Czech embassy in Ottawa announced yesterday. Operated by Air Canada, the flights will bring growing numbers of Canadians visitors to the Czech capital and, vice versa, give Czech residents a direct access to the Great North via one of the most important transport hubs in North America. The seasonal route will run four times a week until September, and three times from September until October 24.

In numbers. In 2025, close to 100,000 Canadians visited the Czech Republic, a significant 35 percent increase compared to just two years before. With New York (Delta Airlines) and Philadelphia (American Airlines), Prague now has three direct connections to the US and Canada.

Running until June 25, the Arena Open Air Festival organized by the Forman Brothers Theater is now in full swing, for the first time taking place on Prague's Štvanice island. The event showcases some of the best domestic and international acts of theatre, circus and visual arts. The program also plans special programs and activities for children, including the famous Imaginarium interactive installation of puppets, props and games.