Recent security incidents in Germany are prompting a response in Czechia. The foreign minister has rejected the Russian ambassador’s characterisation of a drone attack at Leipzig airport, while Czechia has responded to events in neighbouring Germany with increased vigilance.

Václav Bartuška is today Czechia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. He first came to public attention as a student leader during the Velvet Revolution. Soon after he was tasked with investigating Czechoslovakia’s recently deposed StB secret police, a subject the then journalist covered in a best-selling book. More recently, Bartuška served for nearly two decades as the Czech government’s envoy for energy security – and we discussed all of these chapters in his fascinating life at our studios in Prague.

One of Czechia’s best-known religious symbols is heading to Ireland. A specially dressed copy of the Infant Jesus of Prague is being given to the Diocese of Kerry to mark Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Polish and Czech officials have been highlighting the countries’ positive relations in response to a disinformation campaign claiming Poland wanted to seize Czech territory. Media reports say security officials in both states suspect Russia of being behind the campaign.

August 21, 1968, went down in Czechoslovak history as the day that Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops crushed the Prague Spring reforms and the hopes of millions of people yearning for freedom and democracy. At a solemn ceremony outside the Czech Radio building, political leaders laid wreaths to honor those who lost their lives in the invasion and highlighted the role of free media – then and now.

As the country counts the costs of prolonged drought, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has announced the revival of the National Anti-Drought Coalition, which had been dormant for several years. He is promising fast, targeted action, but questions remain over the actual road map and funding.

The network of Czech Centres is heading for its biggest transformation in years. Newly appointed director Ivan Jukl says the goal is not to shrink the organisation but to strengthen its presence abroad while making it more efficient at home.

Traditional extremist movements weakened in Czechia last year. But the Czech Interior Ministry in its new report warns that online radicalisation is becoming a growing security threat. The document has also sparked political debate by omitting the governing Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which featured in previous editions.

Czech President Petr Pavel has vetoed a controversial amendment to the country's budget rules that would allow the government to exceed the approved state spending framework by up to CZK 200 billion. The ruling coalition is determined to override the veto, arguing that the lack of extra funds planned would put at risk the country’s economic growth, defense capabilities and health care.

Czech lower house speaker Tomio Okamura has headed to Beijing for the last part of a visit to China. His trip comes against the backdrop of the arrest of a Czech citizen in China – and amid suggestions China could seek to exchange him for a Chinese national accused of spying in Prague. I discussed the matter with Kateřina Procházková of China-watchers Sinospis.