Czech news in brief for April 4: Friday's top headlines

A fan zone with a 1,200-seat tent will open next week in České Budějovice for the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship. Located near the winter stadium on Sokolský Island, it will offer live match viewings, concerts, food stands, and talk shows. The zone will feature female personalities, including journalist Svetlana Witowska and well-known Canadian coach (and former player) Carla MacLeod. The tournament will run from April 9-20. The venue for the matches will be the Budvar Arena with a capacity of 6,421 spectators.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala reaffirmed that Greenland is part of Denmark and that international law must govern any territorial discussions. In an interview with a Czech newspaper, Fiala responded to past U.S. statements about acquiring Greenland, emphasizing that any negotiations on military presence should involve Denmark and Greenland. His remarks align with Czech President Petr Pavel’s stance. Fiala noted Greenland’s rising strategic value due to new Arctic routes, highlighting growing global interest in the region.

Members of the German far-right Saxon Separatists group trained with live gunfire in the Czech Republic and Poland to prepare for the collapse of the German state, magazine Der Spiegel reported Friday. German police arrested eight members last November, accusing them of terrorism. Authorities say the group promoted racist conspiracy theories and planned to establish a National Socialist-inspired regime through violence. Investigative journalists revealed the group trained in urban combat and used military gear in their preparations.

Temperatures in the Czech Republic will drop to -5 degrees Celsius on Sunday and Monday night as Arctic air moves in, posing a frost risk to flowering fruit trees, especially at lower altitudes. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute warned of potential crop damage but expects milder conditions by midweek. Growers are advised to use protective measures. Spring frosts have repeatedly harmed fruit harvests in recent years, with experts linking the increasing threat to climate change.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed deep skepticism about Russia’s ceasefire negotiations, citing continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Speaking in Brussels, he echoed concerns from French and British officials, who criticized Moscow’s lack of a timely response to U.S. proposals. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Russia to act, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war. Lipavský said such criticism aligns with the Czech stance on Russia’s reliability.

A new anti-domestic violence campaign, "Lend A Hand," was launched in Czechia by the Pod svicnem initiative. Aimed at teaching victims' neighbors and family to help, the campaign includes TV spots, billboards, and an emotional video. A survey revealed that half of adults cannot recognize domestic violence signs. The campaign emphasizes that help can often come from those close to the victim and encourages contacting professionals for support.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said the outcome of the war in Ukraine will demonstrate the strength of the Western alliance. Speaking in Brussels, he noted that China is closely watching the conflict. Lipavsky also discussed NATO defense spending, urging a boost to 3 percent of GDP. He met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and held talks with Turkish and South Korean counterparts on regional security issues.

A passenger train derailed near a railway crossing in Olomouc on Wednesday, leaking 400 liters of diesel fuel. While three passengers were injured, no contamination has been reported in nearby rivers. Remediation efforts will begin once the train is removed. The incident caused transport disruptions, halting regional train operations and tram services. Authorities are investigating the cause, believed to be a technical fault.

Czech exporters warned that U.S. tariffs announced by President Donald Trump could lead to production cuts and layoffs, particularly in the automotive and engineering sectors. Otto Daněk of the Czech Exporters’ Association said companies would struggle to cope and may consider relocating production. The tariffs are expected to disrupt Czech subcontractors, and the government is urged to provide diplomatic and financial support to mitigate the impact.

Thirty bartenders, including 10 from Slovakia, are competing for the title of Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender 2025 in Pilsen and Prague. A third of the participants are women. The competition, now in its 19th year, saw a record nearly 500 Czechs and over 200 Slovaks in the preliminary rounds. This year's final, open to the public for the first time, takes place Friday at Prague's O2 Universum. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m.