Czech news in brief for November 30: Saturday's top headlines

Overnight snowfall in Czech mountain regions has created challenging road conditions. In Krkonoše, up to five centimeters of packed snow lies on untreated roads, with icy patches reported in western areas. The mountain service warns of snow drifts and icy ridges. Meanwhile, the Orlické Mountains and parts of the Jeseník District also experienced light snow. Drivers heading to mountain areas are advised to use winter equipment and exercise caution as more icy conditions are expected.

Eighteen-year-old Metoděj Jílek set a junior world record in the 5000-meter race during the Speed Skating World Cup in Beijing, finishing fifth overall. Jílek clocked 6:12.99, surpassing the previous junior world record by 0.85 seconds and beating the best-ever Czech men’s result in the competition series. Norway’s Sander Eitrem won the event.

The Czech Senate will vote next week on the government’s pension reform, which aims to secure future pension funding by raising the retirement age from 65 to 67. While some senators from the governing parties have expressed concerns, the coalition expects the reform to pass without changes due to their Senate majority. Key issues include limiting early retirement eligibility for workers in demanding professions and requiring employers to contribute to individual pension plans.

Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecká began her 2024-25 season with a dominant victory in the World Cup parallel giant slalom in Mylin, China on Saturday morning. The triple Olympic gold medalist won all four elimination heats after securing the top spot in qualification. In the final, she beat Poland’s Aleksandra Król-Walas by 1.67 seconds. Ledecká added a 25th World Cup snowboard victory to her impressive career tally. Her next race is a parallel slalom in Mylin on Sunday.

A group of young men from Ukraine and Bulgaria caused a scare at a Prague gas station on Friday evening after one of them pulled out a replica hand grenade from his pocket. The station attendant called the police, who responded with multiple vehicles including a special tactical unit. The men explained that they were filming a video and didn't intend to frighten anyone. The police confirmed the item was a harmless plastic model, and the men were released.

Christmas markets open today on Old Town and Wenceslas Squares in Prague, running daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 6. This year, refreshments are 5 percent pricier on average. Instead of a traditional tree lighting ceremony, visitors can enjoy hourly light animations set to Bedřich Smetana’s Vltava, marking the 200th anniversary of his birth. The 20-meter tree, decorated with 340 red and yellow ornaments and 12 km of lights, was sourced from Krompach near the German border.

The Czech lower house will meet Dec. 5 to address ANO and SPD's proposal to dismiss Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová and freeze top politicians’ salaries for five years. MPs will first discuss an amendment delaying state administration digitization before debating ANO leader Andrej Babiš's salary proposal and the speaker's dismissal. ANO accuses Pekarová Adamová of bias and procedural violations, while Prime Minister Petr Fiala defends her against "brutal attacks."

Czech cyclist Daniel Vyskočan has been banned from racing for three years by the international cycling union (UCI) after testing positive for CERA, a red blood cell stimulant, at September's world championship. Vyskočan admitted his guilt, expressing regret and pledging to engage in anti-doping education. His Slovak team, Pierre Baguette, ended cooperation with him. The 20-year-old can return to racing in December 2027.

The last surviving forest toilet in Karlovy Vary’s spa forests will be restored, Deputy Mayor Lubomír Kovář announced. Once part of a network of 117 dry toilets supporting spa therapies in the 1900s, the site offers insight into the region's UNESCO-listed spa culture. While the town hall is unsure if the toilet will be made functional, the restoration aims to preserve its historical significance.

Half of Czechs distrust news created with artificial intelligence, and two-thirds worry AI will blur the line between fiction and reality, according to a recent survey by ResSOLUTION Group and Nielsen. Younger people are more open to AI's use in media, particularly for graphics and quick news delivery. However, 53 percent oppose its use in TV news. Experts at the Prague Media Point conference warn AI could spread misinformation, while others see its potential to improve news workflows.

Ostrava Zoo has swapped male hippos with German zoos to enhance genetic diversity, sending one to Berlin and receiving another from Karlsruhe, spokesperson Šárka Nováková said. This marks Ostrava’s first transport of an adult male. For now, the new hippo is separated from females, but a natural social group will be formed in the future. The zoo’s hippo breeding tradition dates back to 1967.