• 08/29/2024

    ČEZ, the biggest public utility group in Czechia, has finalized its acquisition of a 55.21% majority stake in GasNet, the largest gas distributor in the country, for €846.5 million (approximately 21.2 billion CZK). This acquisition supports ČEZ's strategy to transition from coal to natural gas and hydrogen in district heating by 2030. GasNet, which operates 65,000 km of gas pipelines and serves over 2.3 million customers, controls around 80% of the Czech gas distribution market. The deal, one of ČEZ's largest investments this year, will help the company advance its energy transformation and modernization efforts.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/29/2024

    Fuel prices in the Czech Republic have decreased significantly over the past week. The most popular gasoline, Natural 95, dropped by an average of 31 hellers to 37.18 CZK per liter, while diesel fell by 43 hellers to 35.31 CZK per liter. CCS company which monitors fuel prices reports that compared to the same period last year, gasoline is now 2.5 CZK cheaper per liter, and diesel is 2.62 CZK cheaper. Prices have fluctuated notably over the past year, but recent months have seen a consistent decline, with the lowest prices currently found in Ústecký and Pardubický regions.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/29/2024

    In response to the outbreak of African swine fever among wild boars in the Liberec region, police will assist with an emergency culling in September, equipped with specialized weapons for night hunting. Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats) announced additional measures, including collaboration with the Czech University of Life Sciences for drone monitoring and the installation of odor barriers to prevent the disease from spreading south. The disease, confirmed in 27 wild boars this year, poses no risk to humans but threatens domestic pigs and economic losses. Veterinary authorities have expanded protective zones to contain the spread.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/29/2024

    When the 2026 ban on amalgam comes into force, adults will still be able to have their dental fillings fully covered by health insurance, the head of the Czech Chamber of Dentists, Roman Šmucler, told the CTK news agency following talks with Health Ministry officials. According to an earlier proposal the ministry only envisaged partial reimbursement for dental fillings. According to Roman Šmucler, who fought this proposal on the grounds that many Czechs would not be able to afford treatment, an agreement was reached that a simple filling made of photo-composite would be fully covered by health insurance for all patients. Those who request a better quality white filling will have to cover the extra cost.

  • 08/29/2024

    EU citizens staying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days will have to register with the Ministry of Interior, according to a draft law approved by the Czech government on Wednesday. The bill, which will now be presented to the Chamber of Deputies for approval, also includes plans to digitize the residence permit agenda or to define the institute of the so-called “guarantor”. This is an entity that ensures the purpose of the stay of a foreigner from a non-EU country. If approved, the proposed legislation should come into force in 2026.

    According to the Interior Ministry's quarterly report on migration, there were over 1,000 000 foreigners in the Czech Republic at the end of June, and the Interior Ministry estimates that there are up to 200,000 EU citizens residing in the country who are not registered.

  • 08/29/2024

    The 19th annual Globsec security conference kicks off with a music festival on Prague's Štvanice Island on Thursday. The event will feature performances by prominent artists such as Mr. Everest, Janek Ledecký, and Aneta Langerová. Some conference participants, including Globsec founder and president Róbert Vass, will also speak. The conference, previously held in Bratislava, has moved to Prague and will run from August 30 to September 1 at the Hilton Hotel. Around 2,000 guests from over 70 countries are expected, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, 10 Prime Ministers, and a strong Ukrainian delegation.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/29/2024

    Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (Mayors and Independents Party) will announce details regarding the transformation of Česká pošta on Thursday. The state enterprise will split into two entities next year: one focusing on basic postal services and state-related services, and the other, Balíkovna, specializing in commercial parcel services. Balíkovna might be sold afterward. Česká pošta recently secured a five-year postal license, ensuring state compensation for operating 2,900 branches. Last year, the company reduced its previously heavy losses to 756 million CZK, with a slight revenue increase to 19.037 billion CZK. This year, it aims to break even.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/28/2024

    Talks between government representatives and labor unions on wage increases for public sector employees as of September have hit the rocks. The government rejected the unions’ demand for a 10% pay rise for all, arguing that the funds are not available, and offered instead to increase the salaries of only the lowest-paid employees, such as janitors, cleaners and cooks, by three to five percent. The unions rejected the offer and will meet on Monday to consider their next course of action, including a possible strike.

    Czech Labour and Social Affairs Minister Marian Jurečka said he was disappointed by the outcome of the talks, adding that the government had offered what it could afford. He said that for next year the cabinet is counting on a five percent increase in salaries in the public sector, which should amount to CZK 20 billion in state funds.

  • 08/28/2024

    The government will release part of the fuel stocks from the state's material reserves so as to cover the production shortfall at the Litvínov refinery, which had to suspend production last week following the  discovery of a WWII air bomb on its premises. The loan to Orlen Unipetrol was approved by the government on Wednesday. According to Pavel Švagr, head of the State Material Reserves Administration (SSHR) the amount will not exceed 135,000 cubic metres worth CZK 1.9 billion.

  • 08/28/2024

    Conservationists have confirmed an outbreak of crayfish plague in the Žďárské vrchy protected landscape area. The Regional Veterinary Administration and nature conservationists are taking emergency measures to reduce the risk of a further spread of the disease which is threatening critically endangered "native" river crayfish. There is a ban on moving crayfish and other aquatic species out of the marked zone and releasing them in other places, while the area is being cleaned and disinfected. According to conservationists, the source of the crayfish plague is non-native species of crayfish from North America, especially signal crayfish, which are resistant to the disease.

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