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

The Czech government led by Andrej Babiš will discuss on Monday a bill allowing regulation of fuel margins and prices by decree, amid rising costs tied to the Middle East conflict. Lawmakers may fast-track the proposal. Ministers will also review delaying a minimum living wage increase to October and other legislation. Officials are expected to oppose tax cuts on fuel and address broader economic and policy issues.

Dozens of Hungarian residents and visitors voted Sunday at the Hungarian Embassy in Prague’s Střešovice district, where lines formed throughout the day. More than 700 Hungarian voters are registered in the Czech capital, according to the embassy. Voters told the Czech News Agency they cast ballots seeking change and expressing concern about Hungary’s current direction, citing dissatisfaction with recent political developments under the country’s leadership.

Prague’s Václav Havel Airport has sufficient aviation fuel supplies and has received no reports of shortages, officials said Sunday. Storage was 82 percent full Friday, with capacity of 18.5 million liters. Supplier OMV said production of Jet A-1 fuel is unrestricted. However, industry group ACI Europe warned potential shortages could emerge if Middle East conflict disrupts shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil corridor in coming weeks.

Archaeologists and cultural institutions speaking to Czech Television warned that a proposed amendment to the Building Act could endanger rare discoveries by shortening survey timelines. The plan sets a six-month limit, though about one in ten surveys currently take longer, often due to administrative delays. Changes to financing could shift costs to regions, raising concerns about added burdens. The Ministry for Regional Development says the reforms are necessary.

The country will see mostly cloudy skies this week, with limited precipitation and daytime highs generally below 20 degrees Celsius, meteorologists said Monday. Occasional rain is expected early in the week, especially on Tuesday, with cooler temperatures near 12 degrees. Conditions should improve by midweek, with clearer skies and highs reaching up to 21 degrees by the weekend, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.