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Czech forward David Pastrňák has been voted the owner of the best nickname in the NHL, according to a survey conducted by the NHL Players' Association. His widely used nickname “Pasta” received 13.5 percent of the vote from fellow players. Behind Pastrňák were Patrick Kane (“Showtime”), Ryan O'Reilly (“Factor”), and Liam O'Brien (“Spicy Tuna”). Pastrňák also ranked second for fashion style, finishing behind William Nylander, while fellow Czech Martin Nečas placed fifth. In other categories, Sidney Crosby was seen as the most likely future coach, while Nathan MacKinnon was judged to have the toughest training regime. Players also favored Houston as the most desirable city for a potential NHL expansion team.

The Czech Republic is prepared to offer a passive radar system to help secure the Strait of Hormuz once the situation in the region stabilizes, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Friday. Speaking to journalists, Babiš said the proposal would be discussed during a videoconference with Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and other partners.

The Czech prime minister said at a press briefing with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday that the Czech Republic was ready to offer assistance.  “I don’t want to go into details. It is an area where we are strong—our industry is strong, our technology is strong. I believe this will please our partners and perhaps also President Donald Trump, that the Czechs are putting this offer on the table,” Babiš said.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil exports from the Persian Gulf, is currently effectively blocked due to the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Trump has repeatedly criticized other countries for not doing more to help reopen the passage.

Czech Television should not be airing the dance competition StarDance, according to Culture Minister Ota Klempíř (Motorists), who argues the format does not belong on public service broadcasting.

Under a government draft law on public service media unveiled by Klempíř this week, Czech Television and Czech Radio will be expected to focus primarily on delivering high-quality, trustworthy news and current affairs, as well as fulfilling educational and cultural roles. Entertainment and drama production would come only third in priority.

The celebrity dance competition originated in the UK, where it was first broadcast by the public-service BBC in 2004.

The Czech Republic and Chile are seeking to strengthen cooperation in space technologies and Antarctic research. Representatives of both countries signed memoranda of understanding in these areas following talks between their presidents.

Czech President Petr Pavel was received at the La Moneda presidential palace by Chile’s new president, José Antonio Kast, marking Kast’s first official meeting with a foreign head of state.

After the talks, Kast highlighted the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two countries, recalling Václav Havel’s visit in 1996 and Václav Klaus’s in 2011.

At a joint press briefing, President Pavel welcomed the agreement, saying that in today’s unpredictable world it is important to develop all existing partnerships and seek new forms and areas of cooperation.