Czech news in brief for February 27: Friday's top morning headlines

Former prime minister Petr Fiala criticized current PM Andrej Babiš for rejecting plans to raise defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, calling the stance selfish and harmful to allies. Fiala said such signals would not please U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pushed Europe to boost defense commitments. Czech defense spending is projected at about 2.07 percent of GDP this year.

Saharan dust will reach Czechia in higher atmospheric layers on Sunday and early next week, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said. No significant rainfall is expected, so dust is unlikely to settle on cars or windows. However, it may slightly lower daytime temperatures, with highs dropping to 7–12 degrees Celsius on Sunday and 8–13 degrees on Monday. Skies may appear hazy, and sunshine could be less intense.

A Polish Pendolino train operated with PKP Intercity will run between Prague and Bohumín from March 9 to June 17 as part of its approval process for service in Czechia. It marks the first regular passenger operation of the Polish unit outside Poland. The train will stop in Ostrava, Olomouc, and Pardubice. Standard SuperCity conditions apply, with mandatory seat reservations between Prague and Bohumín.

Bird flu has been confirmed in a bird kept in isolation at Prague Zoo, the State Veterinary Administration said. The isolation unit for night herons and herons is now empty and closed, and several remaining birds were culled as a precaution. Deaths in the outbreak have recently been minimal, with only one reported since the weekend. Around 40 birds have died in total since the outbreak began.

Ostrava will host the European Curling Championships for men and women from October 27 to November 1 at the Torax Arena, the World Curling association announced. The event will feature the top ten European women’s teams, plus Czechia as host, and the top ten men’s teams from last season’s World Championships. Organizers say the championships will boost the sport’s popularity in the region, following the opening of a new curling arena in Ostrava last year.