Czech President Burns Undies, Calls Reporters 'Little Idiots'

A fiery stunt by the Czech president has really stunned journalists this time. Milos Zeman announced a press conference for Thursday, but instead of briefing reporters, he had two firefighters in protective gear help him burn a huge pair of red underpants in front of them, the AP reports. Per AFP, a "visibly frail" Zeman did the deed on a 10-foot-by-10-foot pair of boxer shorts, and he had some words after the incineration. "The time of underwear in politics is over," he declared to reporters. "I'm sorry to make you look like little idiots, you really don't deserve it."

Czech media said the boxer shorts in question resembled a pair that had been hoisted by activists in 2015, replacing the official presidential flag on Prague Castle. The red underwear was meant to symbolize Zeman's close relationships with Russia and China and has since become a symbol for criticism of his presidency. Zeman, 73, has often clashed with the press, even waving a fake machine gun at reporters last year.

(More Milos Zeman stories.)