Czech news in brief for February 24: Tuesday's top morning headlines

Czech government ministers will not attend a planned Senate hearing regarding the country’s defense capabilities. Senate officials confirmed the absence, which has sparked debate over executive accountability to the upper house. The hearing will address long-term strategic readiness and military infrastructure. The standoff highlights ongoing political friction regarding the prioritization of national security debates within the Czech legislative framework. President Pavel will speak this afternoon.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has called on opposition leader Andrej Babiš to reconsider his stance against co-financing the Czech-led ammunition initiative for Ukraine. Speaking ahead of the anniversary of the Russian invasion, Fiala emphasized that the initiative is vital for both Ukrainian defense and Czech security. The dispute centers on whether the government should continue providing direct financial contributions to secure shells from third-party nations for the frontline.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has suspended emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine in a reciprocal move following disruptions in oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Fico stated that Bratislava would only resume energy assistance once Ukraine restores the flow of strategic raw materials to Slovakia. The decision marks a significant escalation in regional energy tensions, potentially affecting grid stability for those living near the Slovak-Ukrainian border.

Brno is launching an unprecedented project to relocate the remains of a 13th-century stone house discovered during excavation works. The structure, one of the city's oldest, will be dismantled into blocks and moved 50 meters to make way for the new Janáček Cultural Center. It will later be reassembled as a centerpiece for the center's atrium. The move is described as the largest modern-day rescue operation for a Czech architectural monument.

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) has issued a warning after discovering excessive levels of the toxin cereulid in Happy Mimi 1 infant milk. The contaminated batch, intended for infants over six months, was flagged during a routine market inspection. Health officials advise parents to stop using the product immediately. This follows a broader recall involving other major brands, emphasizing a critical safety alert for families across the country.