• 08/27/2024

    The Independent Oversight Body for Czech Intelligence Services will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, six years after its establishment by the Czech Parliament in 2018. The delay was due to the initial failure to appoint its members, who were only selected this year. The body, led by Ivana Janů, will differ from parliamentary committees by having access to live cases, providing deeper oversight of intelligence activities. The first meeting will focus on drafting the procedural rules for the body’s operations. Janů emphasized the body's independence and its role in ensuring intelligence activities comply with the Constitution and laws.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/27/2024

    Czech artist Jakub Uksa will create a large-scale street art piece titled Another Obic on the Wall on Wednesday afternoon in Prague's Na Příkopě street. It is a part of the 25th annual Akce Cihla charity event. The artwork, inspired by Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, will be made in Uksa's distinctive geometric style. Akce Cihla supports modern social services for people with intellectual disabilities. The event, which runs from June to September, invites the public to purchase symbolic bricks to fund projects like protected housing and workshops for the disabled.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/27/2024

    Representatives of the Czech government and labor unions will continue negotiations on Tuesday over wage increases for public sector workers. Unions are demanding a 10% pay rise from next month, with further increases in January, threatening protests if their demands are not met. Prime Minister Petr Fiala reiterated that funds for this year's increase are not available in the budget, and ministries are searching for potential reallocations. The Ministry of Labor initially proposed a 7% increase or a 10% increase for half of the public sector. Unions argue that real wages have declined due to high inflation and are pushing for across-the-board raises.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/27/2024

    The discovery of an unexploded WWII bomb in Brno caused a two-hour disruption in transport near the city center on Monday, including the suspension of nearby rail services. Police evacuated several dozen people from surrounding buildings as a precaution. The 100-kilogram Soviet-made bomb was safely removed by a bomb disposal team, allowing residents to return home. The incident also led to changes in public transportation, with bus and tram services temporarily rerouted. In a separate case, experts are preparing to safely detonate another WWII bomb found in Litvínov.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/27/2024

    Active membership in the European Union and NATO will continue to be a pillar of Czech security, President Petr Pavel told Czech ambassadors and consuls at a meeting at Prague Castle on Tuesday. He also said Russian aggression has given new urgency to NATO's mission.

    According to the head of state, there is no more important task in the Czechia’s foreign and security policy today than the continued support for Ukraine. The meeting of Czech ambassadors and consuls at Prague Castle follows the commencement of their week-long annual conference, which began on Monday at Černín Palace.

    During the conference, Prime Minister Petr Fiala and several ministers discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and other international issues, including energy security.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/26/2024

    A survey by the Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM) reveals that almost 40% of Czechs identify as right-wing, while about 25% align with left-wing views. The survey also shows that 28% place themselves in the political center, and around 10% are undecided. While the proportion of left-leaning individuals has begun to rise after years of decline, the number of right-leaning respondents has slightly decreased. The study highlights that older individuals and those with lower socio-economic status tend to lean left, while men are more likely to identify as right-wing.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/26/2024

    Teachers' Union leader František Dobšík met with Czech Education Minister Mikuláš Bek (Mayors and Independents Party) to discuss possible salary adjustments for educators and non-teaching staff starting September 1 and the education budget for 2025. The Ministry of Education is analyzing the impact of proposed tariff increases, which will ultimately be decided by the government. The Ministry of Labor has proposed a 7-10% salary increase for public sector employees, but unions are pushing for a 10% increase across the board. A final decision is expected this week, with the government set to make its ruling on Wednesday.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/26/2024

    The Czech government will review a bill designed to simplify and accelerate the privatization of assets from state-owned companies. The proposed legislation allows the use of multiple legal frameworks for privatization, aiming to make the process more efficient and reduce administrative burdens. It also revises rental and lease regulations for agricultural land and introduces monitoring responsibilities for soil erosion under the State Land Office. The Ministry of Agriculture supports the bill, though the Ministries of Regional Development and Finance have raised concerns, particularly about prioritizing environmentally friendly farming practices.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/26/2024

    The weather will be mostly cloudy, with occasional breaks in cloud cover in the southeast and northwest. High temperatures will range from 19 to 24°C, with slightly warmer conditions in the southeast, reaching around 26°C.

    Author: Vít Pohanka
  • 08/26/2024

    Workers near Brno's city center discovered a World War II-era bomb, leading to the evacuation of nearby buildings and the closure of streets, including a key railway line. The bomb was found on Čelakovského Street, affecting traffic in other streets and halting rail services between Brno's main station and Brno-Slatina. The incident also disrupted public transportation, with bus and tram services rerouted or suspended. A bomb disposal expert is on-site, working to safely remove the bomb. The situation has caused delays, including for international trains.

    Author: Vít Pohanka

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