Czech news in brief for January 17: Saturday’s top afternoon headlines

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a warning for strong winds in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and northern Bohemia from Sunday afternoon into early next week. Gusts may reach 55 to 70 km/h, locally up to 80 km/h. Meteorologists cautioned that ice buildup could worsen impacts, including fallen trees and disruptions to transport and power supplies. The wind warning remains in effect until Tuesday.

Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura said that he removed the EU flag from his parliamentary office, calling it a remnant of his predecessor, Markéta Pekarová Adamová. In a video, Okamura replaced it with a second Czech flag. The SPD leader previously ordered the removal of a Ukrainian flag from the Chamber building, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and mixed reactions across Parliament.

Czech tennis players Tomáš Macháč and Jakub Menšík both won ATP singles titles today, marking the first time two Czechs captured ATP trophies on the same day since 1982. Macháč won the Adelaide International by defeating Ugo Humbert, while Menšík was victorious at the ASB Classic in Auckland, beating Sebastián Báez. Both victories boost their rankings ahead of the Australian Open, which starts Sunday.

Zdeněk Hřib was re-elected leader of the Pirate Party today, defeating challenger David Witosz at a national forum in Prachatice. Hřib won in the first round with 469 of 611 votes. He said his goal is to prepare the party for future parliamentary elections and to be part of a government without Andrej Babiš, stressing opposition based on concrete solutions.

The Czech government is expected to reject a parliamentary proposal to introduce a deposit system for PET bottles and beverage cans, including fees on advertising leaflets, according to a draft statement for Monday’s meeting. Proponents argue deposits would boost recycling and reduce waste, but the measure faces criticism from business and antitrust authorities.