Czech news in brief for March 13: Wednesday's top headlines

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed at a press conference that Czechia will supply ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. Kuleba will discuss the details with Czech counterparts this week. The initiative aims to provide continuous ammunition deliveries throughout the year. Czech President Petr Pavel announced this possibility at the Munich Security Conference, and Prime Minister Petr Fiala said 18 countries have joined the purchase. The Czech initiative has committed to providing 300,000 pieces of ammunition to Ukraine, with an additional non-binding pledge of 200,000 pieces. 

The Czech Republic has pledged CZK 2 million to aid Chile’s reconstruction efforts post-devastating forest fires. Minister Jozef Síkela made the announcement during his visit to Santiago de Chile, where he expressed condolences to those impacted. In collaboration with Chile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will oversee the selection of a suitable project. Síkela highlighted the donation as a gesture of solidarity and support for affected regions in Valparaíso.

The documentary Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me? by director Petr Jančárek explores the departure of President Václav Havel, aiming to keep his legacy alive. Featuring unseen footage from Havel’s final years, the film premieres on April 11, following a preview for Czech President Petr Pavel and Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová. It depicts Havel’s multifaceted life, including his artistic endeavors, health struggles, and encounters with figures like the Dalai Lama.

The Prague Transport Company (DPP) Board of Directors revoked the selection of the metro D’s second section construction winner due to irregularities flagged by the Office for the Protection of Economic Competition (ÚOHS). The winning bid by the Subterra-led consortium will be re-evaluated—the tender faced a challenge from the Antimonopoly Office over referencing errors. Construction links the Pankrác and Olbrachtova stations, extending the disputed segment to Nové Dvory.

Coalition leaders have agreed to convene an emergency session of the Chamber of Deputies to address opposition leader Andrej Babiš's actions against Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. In a leaked email, Babiš requested associates to look into Lipavský's family and used a vulgarity to describe the Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized denounced Babiš's actions as reminiscent of past regimes. Babiš claimed the inquiry was part of a parliamentary speech scheduled for next week.

Former Soviet soldier Nikolai Saposnikov, investigated by Czech police for explosions at an ammunition site in Vrbětice, has died in Greece. Police probed his alleged connection to Russian GRU general Andrei Averyanov. Saposnikov denied ties to Averyanov. The official cause of Saposnikov's death was cardiac arrest; an autopsy showed no foul play. Czech investigators implicated two GRU agents in the blasts. Saposnikov arranged their visit but denied wrongdoing.

A group of Czech parliament members plans to address alcohol regulation following laws on psychomodulating substances. MPs Klára Kocmanová and Michaela Šebelová highlighted alcohol's impact, citing high consumption rates and related health issues. They proposed measures like double age verification for alcohol purchases. A draft amendment targets specialized sales, bans advertising, and restricts sales to minors. Past proposals include advertising restrictions and tax adjustments.

Last year, 92 percent of Czechs aged 16 to 74 used the Internet, exceeding the EU average by 0.5 percent, per Czech Statistical Office data. Nearly all young Czechs were online, while 78 percent of those aged 55 to 74 accessed the Internet. Moreover, 69 percent attained basic digital skills, surpassing the EU average of 56 percent. Advanced digital skills were held by 35 percent of Czechs, with programming skills shared by 6.6 percent.

The NHL is set to return to Prague as part of the NHL Global Series 2024. The Buffalo Sabers and New Jersey Devils will play two matches at the O2 Arena on Oct. 4 and 5, marking the start of the 2024/2025 regular season. Czech players like Lukáš Rousek, Ondřej Palát, and Tomáš Nosek will feature. Tickets start at CZK 1,990 and go on sale March 21.