Daily news summary
Government to discuss introduction of fourth mobile operator with firms from several states
In March and April the Czech Republic will hold talks with mobile telephony operators from the US, Italy, France, the UK and South Korea about the planned introduction of a fourth operator onto the Czech market, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Tuesday. An auction of frequencies should take place by the end of December, with the winner expected to receive them from the state in January or February 2020.
Mr. Babiš also said he would put forward a bill making it easier for customers to end their contracts with existing mobile operators in the Czech Republic.
Under his legislation, clients would be able to cancel their agreements after two days, instead of 10 at present, while they would be able to end a contract without paying any penalty after three months. Mr. Babiš is due to meet operators in two weeks’ time.
WWII pilot Emil Boček to receive highest state honour
War veteran Emil Boček is due to receive the Order of the White Lion, first class, on October 28, the anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. A pilot with the RAF during World War II, he previously received a lower level of the high state honour. President Miloš Zeman informed Mr. Boček of the fresh accolade at a celebration of his 96th birthday on Monday.
The head of state has also called on the minister of defence to promote the aviator to the highest rank in the Czech Army, general, suggesting commemorations of the end of WWII in May as a suitable date.
Prague remains seventh richest region in EU
Prague was the seventh richest region in the European Union in 2017 in terms of per capita GDP, according to the latest data released by Eurostat. The Czech capital occupied the same position in the rankings a year previously.
GDP per person in Prague two years ago stood at 187 percent of the average for the whole of the EU. UK capital London topped the rankings, achieving 626 percent of the EU average.
Hundreds attend pub screening of final episode of hit show MOST!
Hundreds of people attended a screening of the final episode of the hit TV series MOST! on Monday evening at a pub in the north Bohemian town where it was partly set. Members of the cast were also in attendance at the now-famous hostelry in Most and signed autographs for the public.
MOST! was written by Peter Kolečko and directed by Jana Prušinovský. Producers Czech Television say the eight-part show had the highest ratings of any Czech-made comedy in several years.
Mario Vargas Llosa set for 2019 Book World Prague
The Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa will be the special guest at this year’s edition of Book World Prague, which begins on May 9. The Nobel Prize-winning author is known for such novels as The Time of the Hero, Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter and The Feast of the Ghost.
Other guests at the four-day book fair will include Bernardo Carvalho, Rodrigo Fresan, Alvaro Enrigue, David Unger and Mariana Enriquez, the organisers said on Tuesday.
Wins for Slavia and Plzeň mean former remain three points clear
There has been no change at the top of Czech football’s First League, with the top two teams both winning on Monday evening. Leaders Slavia Prague maintained their three-point lead after beating Slovácko 4:0 while Viktoria Plzeň overcame Opava 2:1.
There are eight rounds remaining until the end of the season. Plzeň are defending league champions and Slavia lifted the title two years ago.
Weather forecast
It should be overcast with clear spells in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, with temperatures of up to 13 degrees Celsius. After highs of up to 16 degrees Celsius on Thursday, temperatures are expected fall to around 8 or 9 degrees in the following days.
