News

The owner of Britain’s Royal Mail has agreed to a GBP 3.57 billion takeover by the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, it said on Wednesday. The Royal Mail is one of the oldest postal services in the world.

The deal still has to be approved by shareholders of parent company International Distribution Services in September and could still be blocked by the UK government.

Mr. Křetínský is the owner of energy company EPH and Czech News Center, publisher of the tabloid Blesk. He also owns Sparta Prague football club and is major shareholder of English club West Ham United.

Teaching about the history and nature of the LGBT+ community will not be compulsory for schools in Czechia, although it has been recommended by the Ministry of Education, the Association for the Didactics of History said in reaction to a heated public debate on the issue among parents. Education Minister Mikuláš Bek advised schools to include it in the curriculum as an essential part of the development of human rights. There has been some controversy as to whether the topic should be covered in history classes. The head of the Association of Primary School Principals, Luboš Zajic, said the topic should appear in the curriculum, but admitted that it would be a challenge for teachers.

Fifteen EU and NATO countries have contributed more than EUR 1.6 billion (CZK 39.5 billion) to the Czech shells-for Ukraine initiative, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a joint press briefing with a group of EU leaders in Prague on Tuesday. The first tens of thousands of 155 mm calibre ammunition will arrive in Ukraine in the course of June, and the country can expect the first shipment in the next few days, the prime minister said.

The Czech prime minister hosted a work dinner for a group of EU leaders and the prime minister of Ukraine aimed at coordinating and strengthening aid to Ukraine in the face of continuing Russian aggression. The meeting was attended by the prime misters of the Netherlands, Denmark and Latvia, as well as Polish President Andrej Duda and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien.

President Duda said this was a crucial moment in the conflict and Europe must do everything to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s aggression. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his country would deliver parts of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked Prime Minister Fiala for calling the meeting, saying his country “is and will remain the shield of Europe”. He stressed the importance of the Czech shells-for Ukraine initiative, adding that it was vital for the ammunition to reach the front line as soon as possible.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has unveiled the official selection for its 58th edition, which will offer 32 films in the main program, almost half of them debuts. Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush, who was awarded the Crystal Globe in Karlovy Vary two years ago, will sit on the jury this year, together with producer Christine Vachon, director Gábor Reisz, poet and novelist Sjón and actress Eliška Křenková.

Czech cinematography will have two representatives in the main competition – Tiny Lights by director Beata Parkanová and Adam Martinec's feature debut Pig Slaughter.

The festival opens on June 28 and will close with a gala award ceremony on July 6.