Czech news in brief for January 10: Saturday’s top afternoon headlines

Czechia will experience two more frigid nights, with temperatures dropping below −12°C in many areas, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Strong northwesterly winds on Sunday will combine with loose snow to create drifts across most of the country. Beskydy may see over 25 cm of new snow on northern slopes. Drivers are warned of difficult road conditions following recent heavy snowfall in western regions.

Ski resorts in Czechia’s Pilsen and Karlovy Vary regions welcomed thousands of visitors today, taking advantage of fresh snow and subzero temperatures. Špičák in the Šumava mountains recorded about 30 cm of new snow, allowing additional slopes to open. Conditions at Klínovec are also excellent, with more than 18 km of ski runs and trails available. Resorts reported smooth operations despite high visitor numbers, keeping parking and facilities cleared and accessible.

Firefighters are working to rescue a person trapped in a small cave in the Moravian Karst near Rudice. The individual, reported injured, is about 50 meters below the surface and roughly 200 meters from the entrance. Specialist teams and speleological rescue equipment have been deployed, and a helicopter with aerial rescuers is on site to assist in safely extracting the person from the challenging terrain.

Renowned Czech sculptor, glass artist, and educator Václav Cigler has died at age 96, his family said. Cigler was a leading figure in Czech glass art and a pioneer of using optical glass as a conceptual medium. His works appear in public spaces, including Prague metro stations. Born in Vsetín in 1929, he influenced generations of artists and received multiple lifetime achievement awards.

Czech unions will meet the government Monday to push for salary increases proposed last year, demanding a 9 percent rise for lower-paid workers and state employees and 6 percent for doctors, nurses, and social service staff, said ČMKOS leader Josef Středula. The previous cabinet approved some raises but deferred others. Unions say higher pay is needed to retain staff and prevent further strain on public services.