• 09/26/2024

    Czech President Petr Pavel addressed a full auditorium at the University of Chicago today, speaking about Russian aggression in Ukraine, the importance of NATO, and the role of the Visegrád Group (V4). His speech marked the start of a lecture series honoring the legacy of Václav Havel.

    Pavel emphasized the need for European countries to take greater responsibility within NATO, stating, "The United States needs an equal partner." He also highlighted the importance of preventing a Russian victory in Ukraine, calling it a critical issue for the democratic world. Following his lecture, Pavel engaged in a discussion with students, primarily focused on the war in Ukraine. The Czech President's visit continues with meetings with the Czech-American communities in Chicago and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    After returning from the US, President Petr Pavel will meet with the leaders of all five coalition parties on Monday at Prague Castle, following the ongoing government crisis sparked by the Pirate Party's decision to leave the cabinet. The discussions will focus on the fallout from Prime Minister Petr Fiala's (Civic Democratic Party) decision to remove Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš (Pirate Party) over issues with the digitalization of the construction process. Fiala defended the move, stating that resolving the situation is crucial for the government's functionality. President Pavel emphasized the need for stability during these discussions and will seek clarity on the future composition of the cabinet.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    The Czech government will offer residents in the flood-affected areas of Jesenicko the option to swap their flood-zone land for state-owned plots in safer locations, according to Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats). The government may also buy affected properties to help residents avoid living in fear of future floods. A study by the State Land Office is underway to identify suitable building sites, as 40 homes in the flood zone near the Bělá River are set for demolition. Jeseník mayor Zdeňka Blišťanová agreed that in some areas, it may be more practical to let the Bělá River remain in its new course rather than spend millions trying to return it to its previous path.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    Skies over Czechia will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers, more frequent in the east. Temperature highs between 16 and 20°C.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    The long-running restitution case of the Walderode family has been sent back to the beginning after the Constitutional Court upheld a complaint by Johanna Kammerlander, widow of Karel des Fours Walderode, citing a violation of her right to judicial protection. The case involves the return of the Hrubý Rohozec castle in Turnov, as well as forests and land, which the family has sought to reclaim since the early 1990s. Walderode lost his property in parts of Semily, Jablonec, and Liberec after World War II, under the President Beneš decrees. The key issue is whether he retained his Czechoslovak citizenship or not.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    The Czech Republic Grand Prix of MotoGP will return to Brno next year, scheduled for July 18-20. The race, part of the World Championship, will be the 12th event in the 22-race series, marking its return after a five-year absence.

    The preliminary calendar, released today by the International Motorcycle Federation in Paris, also includes the debut of the Hungarian Grand Prix, to be held near Lake Balaton in late August. The season will kick off in Thailand in late February and conclude in mid-November with the Valencia Grand Prix. The championship will visit 18 countries, with four races held in Spain.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    Czech President Petr Pavel continues his US visit on Thursday in Chicago, where he was invited to speak at the University of Chicago and honor the legacy of former Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who lectured at the university in the early 1900s. Later, Pavel will meet with members of the local Czech community.

    During his visit, Pavel will also lead a roundtable discussion on security threats and the role of innovation and new technologies. He is scheduled to meet Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. On Friday, he will visit the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    Czech labor offices have distributed over CZK 100 million in emergency aid to those affected by the recent floods. This was announced by Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Marian Jurečka (Christian Democrats) during a visit to the flood-hit Jesenicko region. He emphasized that all individuals whose homes were damaged by the floods are entitled to this assistance, regardless of their financial situation. Thousands of residents in this part of the country will be without gas this winter due to flood damage, with the government working on alternative solutions, according to the Ministry of Environment.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    According to a survey by Median Agency for Czech Radio, firefighters received top marks for their work during the recent floods. The government, particularly Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party), was rated more critically. The survey, conducted on a sample of 1,000 respondents, rated various entities using the Czech school grading scale. Firefighters and healthcare workers received the most praise, with 80% awarding them the highest grade. Conversely, 28% of respondents gave Fiala the lowest rating, while the media scored an equivalent of B minus grade for their coverage. The survey also revealed that 56% of respondents believe the country is prepared for future weather extremes.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    At its meeting on Wednesday the Bank Board of the Czech National Bank lowered the two-week repo rate by 0.25 percentage point to 4.25 percent. It lowered the discount rate by the same amount to 3.25% and the Lombard rate to 5.25%. The new interest rate levels come into effect on September 26. The board also confirmed its intention to maintain a tight monetary policy so that inflation remains close to the central bank's two percent target in the long term.

Pages