Czech news in brief for May 15: Thursday's top headlines

Officials said Thursday that about 12.3 percent of students failed the state portion of this year’s Czech school-leaving exams, double last year’s rate. The highest failure rates were among post-secondary and vocational students. Nine percent failed Czech, and 12.4 percent failed math, which officials said was more difficult than last year’s unusually easy version. Of first-time graduates, 80 percent chose English as their elective; its failure rate remained low at 3.5 percent.

TASS reported Wednesday that two Czech tourists were detained and fined by security at the Russian-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan after attempting to photograph the Soviet-era Buran space shuttle. The men, aged 25 and 26, were fined 5,000 rubles (about 1,400 CZK) for violating access rules and were later released. Unauthorized visits to the restricted site are not uncommon, with several foreign nationals previously caught attempting similar entries.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's absence from peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul shows Russia's lack of interest in ending its aggression. Calling it an act of cowardice, Fiala criticized Moscow’s move to send a low-level delegate. He reaffirmed Czechia’s ongoing military support for Ukraine, noting the country’s ammunition initiative has delivered over 500,000 large-caliber rounds so far this year.

Rent prices in some Czech border towns now match or exceed those in parts of Germany, despite significantly lower wages, data from Bezrealitky.cz showed Thursday. In cities like Chomutov and Aš, rents surpass those in nearby German towns such as Chemnitz and Hof, where average rates can be significantly lower. Experts warn the trend may push skilled workers to relocate abroad, where wages remain more than double Czech levels.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský on Thursday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of cowardice for skipping direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, Lipavský criticized Putin’s decision to send adviser Vladimir Medinsky instead. The talks follow Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and come amid ongoing uncertainty over Russia’s stance on direct negotiations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Czechia provided 22.5 million crowns in aid to Gaza last year, with a similar amount planned for 2025, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said. The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Despite strong support for Israel, Czech officials say the humanitarian situation in Gaza justifies continued civilian aid.

Two Bulgarian murder suspects were arrested in Czechia just hours after fleeing their country, before an arrest warrant could be issued. One has already been extradited. Czech detectives credit swift international cooperation. Authorities say over 200 foreign criminals are arrested in Czechia annually. Police warn that extraditions outside the EU, unlike within the bloc, can take much longer due to legal procedures.

The 30th Book World Prague fair began Wednesday, featuring 551 events and guests from across the globe, including former Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová and Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuková. Portugal is this year’s guest of honor. The event includes literary awards, international exhibits, and book launches. Organizers expect 60,000 visitors, matching previous years. Nordic and Central European literature is strongly represented.

Legal loopholes and weak protections are enabling labor exploitation in Czechia, especially among Ukrainian refugees, according to an NGO report. The analysis revealed unauthorized job agencies, poor oversight, and vague job offers as major issues. People in Need called exploitation a structural problem and urged reforms based on European labor models to better protect vulnerable workers from abuse and restore trust.

A cold front will hit Czechia on Thursday, bringing widespread showers, chilly temperatures, and snow above 1,000 meters. Daytime highs will stay between 10–16°C, with possible storms in mountainous areas. Cold, unstable weather will persist into the weekend, with morning frosts and occasional hail. Forecast models diverge for next week—some predict continued cool, wet conditions, while others suggest warmer air may return by late May.