Czech news in brief for January 21: Wednesday’s top morning headlines

Analysts warn that tensions between Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) and President Petr Pavel over military aircraft deliveries to Ukraine could harm Czechia’s reputation with international partners. The conflict follows the blocked nomination of Motorists honorary chairman Filip Turek as environment minister and ongoing debates over who controls foreign policy. Experts say public disputes among the president, prime minister, and foreign minister risk portraying the country as divided abroad.

Bus travel in Czechia fell from 260 million to 251 million trips in the first three quarters of 2025, according to the Transport Association, a drop of nine million passengers compared with 2024, while train journeys decreased slightly. Analysts link the decline to rising real wages and stronger consumer confidence, which boosted car purchases. Nearly 249,000 new cars were sold last year, up 7.5 percent from 2024, marking one of the strongest sales years in recent memory.

Czech police say MMA fighter Karlos Vemola was among five people involved in smuggling cocaine from the Netherlands to Britain and Czechia in 2020, with drugs hidden in trucks. Authorities revealed 34 kilograms in the Czech organizer’s possession and said another 120 kilograms were being prepared for shipment. Three suspects remain in custody. Vemola was released on bail and denies any organizing role, according to his media team.

Prague photographer Lukas Kabon of Denik won the main prize at Czech Press Photo 2025 for a photo capturing miners at the CSM-Sever mine in Stonava, north Moravia, ahead of its closure later this month. The 31st annual competition recognized works across nine categories, including Current Events, Everyday Life, and Sports. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 11 to Nov. 30 at the National Museum.

Limited edition Kinder Joy eggs featuring Stranger Things motifs have sold out across Czechia due to high demand following the launch of the new series. Retail shortages have pushed prices online far above the original 60–110 crowns, with some sellers charging up to 400 crowns per egg. Ferrero confirmed the popularity and said new deliveries are expected to reach stores gradually throughout January and February.