Czech news in brief for April 17: Friday's top morning headlines

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Thursday his government will propose assistance to secure the Strait of Hormuz after talks in Prague with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Babiš reaffirmed commitment to NATO but faced criticism for defense spending below 2 percent of GDP. Both sides will compare data ahead of July’s NATO summit in Ankara. Rutte urged higher defense spending and praised continued ammunition support initiative.

Prague has opened the Dvorecký Bridge after 12 years of construction, a new Vltava River crossing designed exclusively for trams, buses, cyclists and pedestrians, officials said Thursday. The 361-meter bridge will open to public transport on Saturday but remain closed to cars except emergency vehicles. City officials say it will improve connectivity between Prague 4 and 5 and reduce pressure on other bridges. Critics argue the exclusion of cars limits capacity benefits. See how this will affect public transport.

Drought is intensifying across the Czech Republic, with Poland facing even more severe conditions, a CzechGlobe researcher said Thursday. Lenka Bartošová said soil moisture has dropped significantly in the top 40 centimeters, though impacts on crops remain mostly local for now. About a third of Czech territory is in the highest drought stages, with Poland more affected. Experts warn conditions could worsen if expected rainfall fails to arrive in late April.

A fire in an electrical substation at a company in Přerov caused an estimated CZK 50 million in damage, firefighters said Thursday. The blaze, which took about five hours to extinguish, caused no injuries or evacuations. Officials said the cause is under investigation. Czech media reported the affected company was optical manufacturer Meopta, which produces equipment for industrial, military and consumer markets and exports most of its output.

Náměšť nad Oslavou was named Historic City of the Year 2025 for its exemplary use of Ministry of Culture funds to restore monuments, organizers said Thursday. The jury praised systematic preservation efforts, including work on the castle, bridge and historic town hall. Thirteen cities reached the final round. Kolín and Nový Jičín received regional awards, each worth 100,000 crowns. Officials warned of reduced funding for heritage conservation programs this year.