Daily news summary

Central bank governor says interest rate hikes on the cards

Czech central bank governor Jiri Rusnok has said that due to the revved-up economy the bank was likely to increase interest rates before the end of the month and then one more time before the end of the year.

In an interview for Reuters Rusnok said he expected a serious debate on a possible interest rate move at a meeting of the bank board on September 26, saying a hike was a strong possibility and there were few arguments against it.

The Czech National Bank has lifted interest rates at its last two policy meetings.

Marek Šimandl appointed head of civilian intelligence agency

IT expert Marek Šimandl was appointed head of the country’s civilian intelligence agency on Wednesday. He replaces Jiří Šašek who was dismissed in May of this year following an audit into the service’s financial management.

Šimandl previously served as deputy head of the National Cyber and Information Security Agency where he was in charge of cyber security.

Police warn of deadly consignment of synthetic marihuana

The police authorities in Moravia have warned against a dangerous consignment of synthetic marihuana that has appeared in the region.

Six people were hospitalized after taking the drug. A thirty-two-year-old addict died and another is in serious condition.

A homeless woman from Ostrava who also took the drug said she and her friends found several boxes of the substance on a garbage heap.

The police have warned there could be thousands of dozes of the substance in circulation.

Petr Hájek named Architect of Year

Petr Hájek was named Czech Architect of the Year at a ceremony in Prague on Tuesday evening. Mr. Hájek, who also teaches architecture, is known for projects including the renovation of the Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc and an educational centre at Krkonošé National Park.

The architect recently designed the renovation of a water tower at Prague’s Letná and an extension to Prague’s DOX art centre.

Sale of fair trade products on the rise

The sale of fair trade products has seen a steep rise in the Czech Republic, the ctk news agency reports. The sale of cocoa saw a rise of 132 percent year-on-year, the sale of cotton was up by 68 percent, and coffee sales rose by 16 percent.

According to the head of Fair Trade Czech Republic and Slovakia, the former sister states are way ahead of other post-communist countries in developing a market for fair trade products, and establishing shops and coffee houses which specialize in them.

Weather forecast

Thursday should be partly cloudy to overcast with rain in places and day temperatures between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.