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

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský rejected Andrej Babiš’s claim that he blocked delivery of a 2019 White House photo signed by Donald Trump, calling the accusation “utter nonsense” and demanding an apology. Babiš said he received the image from a diplomat last week. Lipavský, in office since 2021, denied any involvement and said Babiš was spreading fabricated allegations.

Czech wages likely kept rising sharply in Q3, analysts told Czech News Agency ahead of Thursday’s official data release. They expect nominal wages to grow around 7 percent year-on-year and real wages about 4.5 percent as inflation cools. Economists say the labor markets remain tight, especially in major cities, and note wages are still catching up after losses from high inflation before 2023.

About 100 people marched through central Prague on Friday to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, calling attention to living conditions in Palestine. Participants chanted “Stop the genocide” and “Free Palestine,” carried flags, and ended with a prayer and anthem. The event followed recent disputes over pro-Palestinian flags displayed at Czech universities.

The bronze bust La Nature by Alfons Mucha sold for CZK 18.35 million at a Prague auction on Saturday, setting a new Czech record for a Mucha work, the European Arts Investments house said. The 1900 sculpture, a Czech cultural monument, opened at CZK 14.8 million. Jakub Schikaneder’s Night Tram sold for CZK 16.6 million. The auction featured 168 works, with 88 percent sold for over CZK 107 million total.

Police and animal control officers captured a wild boar inside a Pilsen hypermarket on Rokycanská Street late Saturday morning, authorities said. Staff reported the animal roaming near the flower section at 11:43 a.m. Officers secured it with two capture poles and guided it outside to nearby fields, where it was safely released. No injuries or property damage were reported, police said.