Czech news in brief for February 7: Friday's top headlines

Former Czech President Miloš Zeman has paid a court-ordered CZK 50,000 compensation for slander to ex-adviser Zdeněk Šarapatka, he announced on Facebook. Šarapatka earlier claimed Zeman missed the deadline, prompting a proposed distraint. The payment was part of a ruling requiring Zeman to apologize for falsely stating Šarapatka was fired from the Government Office. Zeman issued the apology in January on the Parlamentní Listy website.

A 28-year-old Czech man was stabbed early Friday at Heerstrasse station in Berlin after trying to break up a dispute, German police confirmed. Paramedics stabilized him before taking him to the hospital, where his injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening. The attackers, a couple involved in the argument, fled the scene. Police are searching for the suspects as the investigation continues.

Czech President Petr Pavel will speak at the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris on Monday, marking the country's first invitation to the event. He will join leaders from nearly 100 nations and attend a dinner at the Elysee Palace. This year’s summit will focus on AI’s role in public interest, global governance, and innovation. A plenary meeting of world leaders will follow on Tuesday at the Grand Palais.

The Czech National Bank (CNB) projects a 2.4 percent public finance deficit for 2024, down from 2.6 percent last year, with a slight drop to 2.3 percent in 2025. Its estimate differs from the Finance Ministry’s, which anticipates a 2.3 percent deficit this year. The CNB also expects government debt to rise to 44.2 percent of GDP. Wage growth is forecasted to slow, with real wages rising 3.7 percent this year. The full monetary policy report will be published on Feb. 14.

Antonin Fajkus, a Czech-born World War II fighter pilot, died Wednesday at 101 in the United States, historian Jiri Kluc announced. Fajkus, who moved to Chicago as a child, flew 190 combat missions in the Pacific with the U.S. Army’s 40th Fighter Squadron, recording one confirmed and one probable enemy aircraft downing. He spent most of his life in suburban Chicago and remained connected to the Czech community.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met former Czech PM Andrej Babiš (ANO) during a private visit to Prague, drawing criticism from Czech leaders. PM Petr Fiala and FM Jan Lipavský said Hungary does not seek good relations with Czechia. Szijjártó, who did not inform the Czech government of his trip, praised past cooperation with Babiš, ahead of Czech elections where ANO leads polls.

The Czech Republic and the U.S. share views on the Middle East, Russian aggression, and China’s expansion, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said after meeting U.S. lawmakers Tuesday. He pledged increased defense spending and will discuss AI chip exports with U.S. tech firms. Czechia seeks exemption from U.S. export restrictions, which favor Western EU nations, drawing criticism from the European Commission.

The Czech government will allocate CZK 5.1 billion to support affordable rental housing, funding nearly 1,500 apartments. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said 92 projects have applied for assistance, including preferential loans and subsidies. The program, aimed at middle-class families and essential workers, is part of a CZK 7 billion initiative through 2026 to address the country’s housing shortage.

The European Commission reprimanded Czechia for delays in adopting its new cyber law and implementing the NIS2 security directive, which was due last October. The National Cyber Security Office (NÚKIB) will request an extension, with a realistic enforcement date of January 2026. Failure to comply could result in heavy fines. The law aims to bolster cybersecurity by expanding protections for critical organizations.

Trosky Castle in the Bohemian Paradise anticipates a surge in visitors after being featured in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Castellan Pavlína Suchomelová reports rising interest, even before the castle reopens in spring. Special events, including themed tours and a July weekend event, are planned for fans. The 14th-century Gothic castle, already the most visited site in the Liberec Region, saw over 90,000 visitors last year.