Czech news in brief for April 3: Friday's top morning headlines

Czech President Petr Pavel expects to attend the NATO summit in Turkey this summer and seeks a meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to discuss participation, his spokesman said. Babiš and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka previously indicated that government officials could represent Czechia. Pavel has attended all NATO summits since taking office and stressed that no compelling reason exists to change this practice.

Most shops in Czechia will remain open through Easter weekend, including Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, when normal hours largely apply. Large stores must close on Easter Monday under public holiday trading laws, though small shops, pharmacies and outlets at transport hubs may open. Delivery services will operate normally until Sunday, with some limits Monday. Warmer spring weather is expected over the holiday weekend.

A U.S. citizen detained in Slovakia over a March 20 arson at Czech arms factory LPP Holding may be extradited after withdrawing her detention complaint, the Bratislava Regional Court said. The fire destroyed a warehouse and damaged administrative buildings. Czech authorities have four additional suspects in pretrial custody, including a foreigner, while Polish intelligence confirmed two Polish citizens’ arrests for aiding the attack.

Clothing retailer Primark plans further expansion in the Czech Republic, adding new stores following strong demand for affordable goods. A branch is set to open later this year in Ostrava’s Avion Shopping Park, creating about 80 jobs. The company has also signed a lease for a future outlet in Prague’s Westfield Černý Most, expected to open between 2027 and 2028.

Czechs are increasingly using the Easter long weekend for short trips abroad, with flight bookings rising by about a third year-on-year, according to travel data. Italy has overtaken Spain as the top destination, while demand for European city breaks remains strong. Rail carriers are boosting capacity as trains fill up, urging early reservations. Lower airfares and four-day holidays are driving the growing trend.