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Summary for: Czech news in brief for March 12: Thursday's top afternoon headlines
President Pavel visits Latvia, Lithuania
President Pavel visits Latvia, Lithuania
Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife are on a visit to the Baltics this week, starting with Latvia, where he met with his counterpart Edgars Rinkévičs, before moving to Lithuania earlier today. In Vilnius, he met with President Gitanas Nausėda and is also due to meet the prime minister. Defense, security, and the threat from Russia are top of the agenda of Pavel's visit to NATO's eastern frontline allies.
US envoy criticizes Czech defense budget
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker on Thursday criticized the Czech Republic for failing to meet NATO defense spending commitments. In a post on X, Whitaker shared an article about the country’s newly approved budget, saying allies must carry their share of responsibility “without excuses or exceptions.” The message was also shared in Czech by the United States Embassy in Prague. The budget was recently approved by the Czech parliament.
All Allies must pull their weight and honor The Hague Defense Commitment. These numbers are not arbitrary. They are about meeting the moment - and the moment requires 5% as the standard. No excuses, no opt-outs. @USEmbassyPrague pic.twitter.com/WLuF5q45Jl
— U.S. Ambassador to NATO (@USAmbNATO) March 12, 2026
Pilsner sells over 7 million hectoliters of beer
Pilner Urquell has sold 7.17 million hectoliters of beers in the Czech Republic in 2025, according to the company, about 2 percent less than the previous year. The largest decline was reported in draft beers sold in bars. The famous brewer is number one on the domestic market ahead of Staropramen and Heineken ČR, who have yet to publish their sales numbers.
33-year-old Czech among world's richest 100
Michal Strnad, the 33-year-old owner of defense company Czechoslovak Group (CSG), is the 69th richest people in the world, according to Forbes. With assets worth over USD 31 billion (largely based on the market valuation of his shares, which he inherited from his father), he's the only Czech in the top 100, well ahead of PPF heiress Renata Kellnerová (USD 20 billion) or Karel Komárek, owner of the KKCG investment group (over USD 10 billion)
Czech Paralympians protest Russian presence
Some athletes, including German and Czech ones, are protesting the participation of Russia under its national colors at the Paralympic Games taking place in Italy until Sunday. Some Paralympians have refused to take part in medalists' photo shoots with Russian counterparts, for instance, or visibly protested while their national anthem was being played. The International Paralympic Committee said it was looking into the matter.
POLL RESULTS: We asked readers what annoyed them the most about fellow commuters on public transport. The majority (63 percent) said it was a mix of people having loud phone calls, eating smelly snacks, blocking the aisle or ignoring seniors. Just 12 percent said none of the suggested annoyances really bothered them.
