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Two percent of GDP spending on defense will clearly be the minimum threshold in the years' to come, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a press conference in Prague on Wednesday. The Czech head of government said it would be realistic to talk about spending three percent of the GDP in a few years time. Fiala was reacting to the demand of the incoming US President Donald Trump, who wants the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to sharply increase their defence spending to five per cent of GDP. The Czech head of government said Czechia is not opposed to a debate on the issue. "We will have to discuss whether to spend more. There are countries that already spend four percent. So let's look for the right limit," he said.
The Czech Defense Ministry said on Monday that the country had fulfilled its commitment to spend 2 percent of the GDP on defense in 2024.
The government has approved Chief Prague Prosecutor Lenka Bradáčová for the post of chief state prosecutor of the Czech Republic. She will take up the office on April 1, for a seven-year term.
Bradáčová is a highly esteemed Czech lawyer and prosecutor who has served as the top Prague prosecutor since 2012. She was nominated for the post of chief state prosecutor by Justice Minister Pavel Blažek. The outgoing chief state prosecutor, Igor Stříž, announced his resignation on Tuesday citing personal and family reasons.
Venezuelan authorities have confirmed that the regime is still holding Czech national Jan Darmovzal, imprisoned on charges of terrorism. Darmovzal was detained in September on suspicion that he was part of a mercenary group involved in terrorist acts. According to Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman, Daniel Drake, efforts to secure consular access have repeatedly failed. Drake said the Czech Republic fully supports the European Union's efforts to secure the release of a growing number of detained foreign nationals with regional partners and the United States.
Police officers and members of the prison services have been intervening since the early morning hours of Wednesday in the prison in Příbram, south Bohemia. According to the Prison Service an organized gang of people both in and outside the prison was involved in smuggling drugs to inmates. Ten people have been detained so far. A spokesman for the Central Bohemian police force said around 100 police and prison service officers were involved in the early morning raid.
The personalities awarded the Medal of Merit, one of the country’s high state honours, by the president could be extended to several new fields of activity, specifically environmental protection, international relations, social and charitable work, volunteering and health care. Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Bartošek, who heads a subcommittee for the awarding of state honours, has proposed the extension of categories to the chamber in view of legitimizing them in time for the 2025 award giving ceremony on October 28th. At present the candidates for this award are restricted to the areas of culture, science and sport.
Drivers could reach speeds of 150 km/h on the D3 highway between Tábor and České Budějovice by mid-year, according to Transport Minister Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party). Variable traffic signs will regulate the speed, lowering it during poor visibility. The state is currently selecting a signage supplier, with installation expected by June or July. Additional highways, such as the D1 and D11, may also see increased speed limits, pending analysis of the D3 trial. The speed increase will apply only to modernized, straight, and safe sections, Kupka emphasized.
The Czech National Bank (ČNB) purchased 20.5 tons of gold last year, increasing its reserves to over 51 tons by the end of 2024. The gold’s value now exceeds 103 billion CZK, according to data on the structure of foreign exchange reserves. Governor Aleš Michl told CNN Prima News that the bank aims to raise gold reserves to 100 tons within three years. ČNB began larger gold purchases in 2022, holding 12 tons by the end of that year. The bank acquired 18.7 tons in 2023 and maintained steady quarterly purchases of about five tons throughout 2024. Gold now accounts for 2.9% of ČNB’s total reserves.
Vít Krejčí scored 13 points, helping Atlanta secure a 124-121 victory over Utah in the NBA. The 24-year-old Czech guard was just one point shy of his season-high. Starting for the second consecutive game, Krejčí hit three three-pointers and grabbed four rebounds. His performance contributed to breaking Atlanta’s losing streak after three consecutive defeats. Atlanta led by as much as 16 points, but Utah tied the game with three seconds left after a three-pointer by Collin Sexton. Trae Young sealed the win for the Hawks with a buzzer-beater from long range.
Thursday should be partly cloudy to overcast with scattered showers and day temperatures between 6 and 11 degrees Celsius.
Archaeologists in northern Bohemia have announced a unique discovery. While conducting a rescue excavation during the construction of an emergency services call centre, they uncovered evidence of a Neanderthal settlement, dating back between 126,000 and 115,000 years BC.
Criminal investigators have requested the extradition of Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) chair Tomio Okamura from the Chamber of Deputies over charges of inciting hatred or restricting the rights of a group during last year's controversial billboard campaign. The request was sent to the lower house on Tuesday. Okamura claims the prosecution is an attempt by the ruling coalition to silence him.
Driving on Czech roads can be a nerve-racking experience. Speeding, drink-driving, inattention and road rage all contribute to the high number of accidents. And even on a good day, transgressions such as failing to keep a safe distance or break checking can wear down the patience of those sticking to the rules.
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