• 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.

  • 09/26/2024

    Officials at construction offices will be given the opportunity to return to the systems used before the digitalization of building permit procedures as soon as possible, Transport Minister Martin Kupka (Civic Democratic Party) said after taking over responsibility for the project from the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister for Digitization Ivan Bartoš (Pirate Party). Mr. Kupka said experts are currently seeking a way to link the builder's portal with the former systems and everything possible would be done to minimize the damage, which is already considerable and has led to Ivan Bartoš dismissal from the government. In the meantime, he said, work will continue on improving the newly digitized systems launched unsuccessfully on July 1. The minister will submit a plan on how to proceed with the digitization to the government by October 16.

  • 09/26/2024

    In his speech to the UN Security Council, Czech President Petr Pavel reminded China of its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council, urging Beijing to use its close relationship with Moscow to help secure an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine. “Membership of the UN Security Council is not just a privilege, it is, above all, a responsibility to defend global peace and security, which is entrusted to the members of the Council by others, Czech President Petr Pavel said at Wednesday's Security Council meeting on "Leadership for Peace" in New York. It is not sustainable for China to continue to fuel the current global security threat by supplying the tools Russia needs to strengthen its military against Ukraine and its people," Pavel said.

  • 09/26/2024

    The Pirate Party confirmed its exit from the Czech government following Prime Minister Petr Fiala's (Civic Democratic Party) decision to remove Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš by the end of September, due to unresolved issues with the digitalization of the construction permit process. Marian Jurečka (Cristian Democrats), Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, will temporarily take over the Ministry for Regional Development.

    Fiala said that discussions will continue about the future of the coalition, and that the government remains stable despite the Pirates' departure. The coalition, even without the Pirates' four seats, retains a majority in the 200-member Parliament. The Pirates will vote on their exit on an online forum over the weekend.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/26/2024

    Czech President Petr Pavel called for the reform of the Security Council which would make it more effective, inclusive, accountable, and better reflecting today's realities. In his speech to the General Assemby, Pavel said that UN should allow for more effective action in responding and adapting to current trends. These include, in particular, the use of new technologies, stronger protection of the environment and a response to climate change.

    On Thursday, President Pavel will continue his US visit in Chicago, where he will speak at the University of Chicago and pay tribute to former Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who lectured there in the early 1900s. Pavel will also meet with the local Czech community. In addition to his address, Pavel will participate in a roundtable on security threats and the role of innovation and new technologies. He is set to meet Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Later this week, he will visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 09/25/2024

    In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Czech President Petr Pavel called for the reform of the Security Council which would make it more effective, inclusive, accountable, and better reflecting today's realities. Changing the way the UN operates, Pavel said, should allow for more effective action in  responding and adapting to current trends. These include, in particular, the use of new technologies, stronger protection of the environment and a response to climate change.

    The Czech president said states should stand side by side to find solutions to difficult problems and problems that have spiraled out of control. He said greater pressure should be exerted on Russia to end its war on Ukraine, noting that Security Council membership is not "a carte blanche," and that no one has the right to "abuse power and bully other members" of the international community without sanctions.

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