Czech news in brief for March 13: Friday's top morning headlines

Access to housing assistance in the Czech Republic could be restricted under proposed amendments to the Housing Support Act now debated in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. The government says the changes, presented by Regional Development Minister Zuzana Mrázová, fix technical issues and better target aid. The opposition Czech Pirate Party warns they could limit help for people at risk of losing housing.

The U.S. Department of State has reduced the fee to renounce United States citizenship from USD 2,350 to USD 450, effective April 12, 2026. The Association of Accidental Americans said the move follows years of legal challenges over the cost of obtaining a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. The group, led by Fabien Lehagre, called the decision a first victory but said litigation continues over whether renouncing citizenship is a constitutional right.

The Czech Republic has ended government repatriation flights launched after the 2026 Iran war disrupted travel in the Middle East. The final flight on Wednesday brought 102 people from Riyadh, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In total, more than 1,500 citizens were returned using military aircraft and flights operated by Smartwings since early March. Officials said no urgent evacuation requests remain.

Environmentalists urged Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to stop what they say is the dismantling of national park protections by coalition partner Motorists for Themselves. The appeal from Hnutí Duha follows Environment Minister Igor Červený’s dismissal of the head of Krkonoše National Park and concerns he may also remove the director of Šumava National Park. There are four national parks in the country, which are the highest legal form of nature protection and cover 1.5 percent of the country's territory. 

Talks are underway to bring the National Basketball Association to the Czech Republic, potentially hosting the opening game of the 2028–29 season, Ambassador Miloslav Stašek told iDnes.cz. Negotiations involve the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, with Prague’s O2 Arena or a planned arena in Brno under consideration. A preseason training camp and exhibition game could take place as early as next year, officials said.