Czech news in brief for March 10: Tuesday's top afternoon headlines

Filip Turek, the honorary chairman of the Motorist party and government representative for climate policy and the Green Deal, will represent the Czech Republic at next week's meeting of EU environment ministers instead of the actual environment minister, Igor Červený. Turek's ministerial nomination was vetoed by President Pavel, and his appointment in this new role is widely seen as a way to circumvent this.

The 28th edition of Prague's beloved One World Human Rights Film Festival kicks off with the opening ceremony tomorrow. More than 100 documentaries, feature films and virtual reality movies - on top of debates, lectures and exhibitions - will be screened in a dozen cinemas in Prague for more than a week, before moving to other Czech cities until the end of April.

The inflation rate dropped to 1.4 percent in February, according to the latest data from the Czech statistical office (CZSO), 0.2 percentage points less than the previous month and the lowest since October 2016. Experts however caution that the prices of some specific items have risen significantly, including beef and eggs, and that the war in the Middle East will push the inflation rate back up.

Police presence will be increased around the O2 Arena and across Prague between March 24-29 for the World Figure Skating Championships being held in the Czech capital, first deputy police president Tomas Lerch stated. Organizers also recommend residents to avoid as much as possible driving in the vicinity of the venue during that time to avoid traffic restrictions.

A gas pipeline on fire in Dobrovského street in Prague 7 has caused two building facades to catch fire. Authorities have declared the third (out of four) level of alarm and evacuated people from the buildings after being called to the scene around 2 pm. Traffic is restricted in the surrounding streets and trams between Strossmayerovo náměstí and Hradčanská have been diverted. No one has been reported as injured so far.