Czech news in brief for April 13: Sunday's top headlines

Retail egg prices in the U.S. hit record highs despite easing bird flu outbreaks and lower wholesale rates, AP reported Sunday. Imports surged 551 percent in early 2025 to meet demand after over 30 million hens were culled. In Czechia, egg prices rose 44.4 percent year-on-year in March—the highest increase in the EU—due to similar supply pressures and Easter demand.

Czech billionaire Vladimír Kovář was injured in a helicopter crash Saturday near Hradecko in the Pilsen Region. Investigators say Kovář, who was piloting the helicopter, lost speed during landing, causing the aircraft to fall into a field. Kovář, who owns the tech firm Unicorn as well as a flight school, suffered minor leg injuries. He was hospitalized in Pilsen but is in stable condition. Alcohol was ruled out as a factor in the crash.

American tariffs may slow Czech economic growth but are unlikely to trigger stagflation, analysts from Purple Trading said in a report Sunday. While export-driven sectors like car manufacturing could suffer, inflationary risks remain low thanks to strong currency and weak global demand. In contrast, the U.S. faces higher stagflation risks, with rising prices from tariffs and slower growth forecast by the Federal Reserve.

A mild earthquake swarm struck near Luby in the Karlovy Vary Region Saturday night, with the strongest tremor reaching magnitude 2.8, experts said Sunday. The quakes, about 10 kilometers deep, are likely aftershocks from a March swarm. Though no damage was reported, residents felt the tremors and heard rumbling. The area is known for frequent low-magnitude seismic activity.

The opposition ANO party dropped to 35.5 percent support in March, down two points from February, according to a Kantar CZ poll for Czech Television. The Together coalition rose to 19 percent support, up 1.5 points. STAN, SPD, Motorists, and Pirates each polled above 6 percent. The Enough! party remained below the 5 percent threshold. The poll does not reflect a new cooperation deal among right-wing parties signed in late March.

Expo 2025 officially opened on Saturday in Osaka, Japan, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský attending the ceremony alongside Japan’s emperor. The Czech pavilion, designed by Apropos Architects, opens Sunday. Czech artists, including the Czech Philharmonic, will perform during the event. The Expo runs through Oct. 13. Questions remain over Czech pavilion costs, which have risen to nearly CZK 286 million, according to media reports.

Spain defeated Czechia 2–1 in Ostrava to secure a place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro sealed the victory with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Linda Nosková. Earlier, Cristina Bucsa beat Marie Bouzková 7-5, 6-1. Though the Czech team won the doubles match, Spain, led by new captain Carla Suárez Navarro, advances to the finals in Shenzhen this September.

Czech lawmakers will meet this week to vote on key proposals, including a new housing support law aimed at people at risk of homelessness. Other items include rules for lobbying, increased care benefits for the disabled, and stricter migration and asylum regulations. The controversial housing bill has drawn criticism from opposition parties for its cost and complexity.

More than 9,600 people visited Prague Castle on Friday for an open day that allowed free access to normally closed representative rooms, officials said. Visitors also explored exhibitions, gardens, and historic sites like St. Vitus Cathedral. The event is held annually. Under former President Miloš Zeman, strict security checks drew criticism for limiting public access, but the tradition has continued under President Petr Pavel.

An explosion and fire at a Polička munitions plant on March 25 caused damage estimated at CZK 120 million, officials said on Saturday. One worker was seriously injured. The blast affected a hall leased by STV Group for munitions disposal, likely due to equipment failure. Police are investigating for negligent endangerment. Company officials dismissed media speculation of sabotage, calling it a standard industrial accident.

Czechia paid CZK 268 million last year to meet obligations under about 60 international environmental treaties, the Environment Ministry told senators. Costs included membership in bodies like the Montreal Protocol and IUCN. The total state budget for international organization fees reached CZK 2.7 billion. Senators debated the value of these commitments, including a failed proposal to exit the International Whaling Commission during a recent Senate session.