News

The Czech government delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) will leave for the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday morning, shortly before President Petr Pavel departs on a separate flight. The government confirmed that Babiš is scheduled to attend both the informal dinner on Tuesday and the North Atlantic Council meeting on Wednesday. Pavel’s official programme does not mention either event. The government and the president had been locked in a months-long dispute over his participation. The Constitutional Court ultimately ordered the government to ensure Pavel could attend through a preliminary injunction.

The Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura (SPD), will visit China in the second half of July. According to a resolution of the Chamber's Organising Committee, he was invited by the chairman of the National People's Congress. Okamura is expected to be accompanied by Renata Vesecká (Motorists), who chairs the Chamber's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.

The trip was first reported today by Aktuálně.cz, which said its purpose is to promote economic cooperation and tourism. According to the news outlet, citing a government resolution on scheduled official flights, the delegation will also include business representatives.

Questions about foreign-correspondent experience as well as the present and future of news reporting at Czech Television accompanied today's discussion with moderator and deputy editor-in-chief of news at Czech Television, Martin Řezníček as part of the accompanying program of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The public debate was the first event of the ČT24 zblízka project at the Czech Television House in Karlovy Vary's Theatre Square.

Řezníček spoke about the importance of public-service media, especially Czech Television and Czech Radio, and about concerns over their weakening.

In mid-June, the government approved a bill on the financing of Czech Television and Czech Radio that abolishes the existing television and radio licence-fee system and transfers the financing of both institutions to the state budget. The proposal would provide both media outlets with roughly 15 percent less funding than they have been operating with since last year's increase in licence fees.

The annual Days of Goodwill celebrations begin in Velehrad on Saturday, marking one of Czechia’s most important Christian festivals commemorating the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and visitors are expected over the two-day event. This year’s programme honours doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare workers, with the skull of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians, on display in the basilica’s Royal Chapel. Saturday features concerts, exhibitions, seminars and a gathering of wheelchair users from several countries. The celebrations conclude on Sunday with a pilgrimage Mass led by Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl.