Czech news in brief for November 21: Friday’s top afternoon headlines

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the U.S. push to end Russia’s aggression cannot bypass Ukraine, stressing its consent is essential. Outgoing Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský echoed the warning, citing the Munich Agreement as a cautionary precedent. Defense Minister Jana Černochová said concessions to Moscow have never worked. Foreign agencies published 28 points of the reported U.S. proposal involving envoys from Washington and Moscow.

The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Czechia, Hungary and Austria for incorrectly implementing the Eurovignette Directive. Brussels said it sent letters of formal notice over failures to harmonize road-charging rules that factor in pollution, noise and CO₂ emissions. The directive covers cars, buses and light trucks and is meant to encourage cleaner vehicles. The three states must respond before the process can advance.

Anti-Semitic incidents in Czechia rose to a record 4,694 last year, up 366 from 2023, the Federation of Jewish Communities reported. Although overall growth slowed, the severity increased, with four physical attacks—more than in the previous four years combined. The federation said the post–Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the Gaza war drove polarization and a “normalization” of anti-Jewish hostility.

KFC will strengthen internal procedures and retrain employees after reports alleging improper handling of meat in its Czech restaurants. Journalist Jan Tuna published videos claiming manipulated shelf-life data and spoiled meat use, prompting regulators to conduct broad inspections. The chain said each outlet has undergone multiple internal and third-party audits and that no systemic hygiene failures were found. Inspectors reported violations at two branches so far.

Nine people remain hospitalized after a head-on train crash near Zliv in the České Budějovice region this week, officials said. One patient is in resuscitation care and four in intensive units. Governor Martin Kuba called it a “miracle” no one died. Rescuers treated 47 people, and investigators are examining the cause. The crash involved an express train and a passenger service traveling in the opposite direction.

Czechia’s level of English proficiency has increased marginally, according to a newly updated global index. What do you think of Czechs’ English skills (speaking and understanding)?