Czech news in brief for March 10: Sunday's top headlines

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský warned in a TV interview on Sunday that former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš poses a security threat to the Czech Republic due to his recent comments on current PM Petr Fiala and Czech-Slovak relations. Lipavský criticized Babiš for jeopardizing national defense and international relations. He emphasized the importance of Czech-Slovak relations and reiterated the nation's commitment to security interests, particularly concerning Ukraine.

The final phase of repairs on Prague's Barrandov Bridge in Prague will commence on Monday, March 11, causing traffic disruptions until August. The closure of the Strakonická Street ramp and the reduction of lanes on the bridge to three, instead of four, will be part of this phase. Originally planned over two years, the repair schedule has been condensed into one due to operational efficiencies. The busy bridge is crossed by 140,000 vehicles daily.

A 49-year-old Czech man was discovered hanged in Pattaya, Thailand, with authorities suspecting suicide. The Bangkok Post first reported the incident, later confirmed by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The deceased's ex-wife and sibling have been informed, and the embassy awaits contact for further steps. Police found no signs of violence, concluding it as a suicide.

Former US President Bill Clinton has arrived in Prague for a conference on NATO, commemorating 25 years since the Czech Republic joined the alliance. The event at Prague Castle will feature Clinton, former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, and Czech officials. Clinton's visit underscores his historical ties to Prague, dating back to a visit in 1970 as a university student. The conference aims to evaluate NATO's past and address future security challenges.

Brothers, which tells the story of controversial anti-communist resistance fighters Josef and Ctirad Mašín, was named Best Picture at the Czech Film and Television Academy's Czech Lion awards ceremony on Saturday evening. However, it was the film's only win from a total of 15 nominations. The TV series Volga and sci-fi film Restore Point nabbed five awards each, while Simona Peková was named Best Actress for She Came at Night. In total, 26 titles contended for 19 awards.

Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecká won her 24th victory in a World Cup event on Saturday by winning the parallel slalom in Winterberg. The Czech athlete triumphed over strong competition, including defeating Ramona Theresia Hoffmeister in the quarter-finals. Ledecká's performance solidifies her third place in the overall parallel slalom standings.

NASA chose a photograph of Comet Pons-Brooks captured by Petr Horálek from the Institute of Physics in Opava as Saturday's astronomical image of the day. Taken near the Slovak town of Revúca, the image depicts both the comet and the Andromeda galaxy. Comet Pons-Brooks, discovered in 1812, has returned to the vicinity of the sun after 70 years and can be observed with small binoculars until mid-April. Horálek's photograph marks the 65th image by a Czech author to be recognized by NASA.

Relations between the Czech Republic and Sweden are excellent, Czech Ambassador to Sweden Anita Grmelová told Czech News Agency following the country's admission to NATO last week. While historically not natural partners, cooperation within the EU is strengthening bonds, Grmelová noted, adding that the recent joint presidency of the Council of the European Union united the states. Military cooperation, including arms contracts, underscores the Czech-Swedish ties.

Hospitals in the Czech Republic are considering raising the fee for emergency room visits to up to CZK 300 per patient. Despite an existing fee of CZK 90, patients continue to flock to emergency rooms in non-emergency situations, prompting hospitals to seek an increase in fees. The proposed change aims to deter non-urgent visits and alleviate pressure on emergency services. However, the Ministry of Health is cautious, citing concerns about accessibility to care. Discussions on the matter are ongoing.

Zlín Zoo has achieved a milestone by successfully rearing a white-headed vulture, a first in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The hatchling, born in January, is a testament to years of effort by breeders. Facing a decline in vulture population globally, Zlín Zoo's success underscores their vital role in conservation efforts. With a focus on preserving endangered species, the zoo supports initiatives for monitoring and protecting African vultures.

Despite the warm weather, Czechs are lagging behind in purchasing summer tires this year. The season's tire shopping has been delayed by one to two weeks, with the turning point expected to coincide with the Easter holidays at the end of March. Drivers remain cautious due to potential morning frosts, impacting their readiness to change tires. Some tire sizes are cheaper this year, with increased interest in economy and middle-class tires.