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Russian Gas Has Resumed Flowing into the Czech Republic

Some traders began importing Russian gas into the Czech Republic in October, ending a hiatus that began at the start of this year, according to Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Josef Sikela, as reported by Novinky. Out of the total volume of deliveries from January to the end of October this year, Russian gas accounted for 79.6 million cubic meters or 1.2 percent. The specific importers’ information is considered a trade secret. Data from the transmission station in Lanžhot in the South Moravian Region also indicates the resumption of Russian gas flowing into the Czech Republic. “Since the beginning of October, gas at this border station no longer flows from the Czech Republic to Slovakia as before but from Slovakia to the Czech Republic. And this is in volumes of up to 100 gigawatt-hours per day,” said Lukáš Kovanda, Chief Economist at Trinity Bank, citing information from Bloomberg. According to him, up to 40 percent of the gas imported into the Czech Republic currently comes from Russia. Given that some countries still cannot do without Russian gas, its import into the EU is not subject to sanctions, noted Sikela. According to preliminary information from the ministry, Russian gas stopped...

 by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2023

Czechia Running Low on Weapons to Send Ukraine

Czechia is running low on suitable weapons to send to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jana Černochová admitted on Czech television on Sunday, the day after the speaker of the lower house had made arms promises in Kyiv. On Saturday, parliament speakers Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09) and Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) paid tribute to the victims of the Soviet-era Ukrainian famine in Kyiv. Last year, parliament officially recognised as “genocide” the 1930s starvation of millions in Ukraine under Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, known as Holodomor. The speakers of both houses of the parliament also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the head of Ukraine’s parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk. Speaking to the Ukrainian MPs in Kyiv, lower house speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová said her country will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine deserves further support because it is not only fighting for itself but also for other European democracies, the speaker of the upper house, Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil has said. But suitable material is running out. “The Czech Republic is one of the leaders in aid. But frankly, there are not many things we can send to Ukraine from military material,” Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS) admitted on Czech Television on...

 by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2023

Czechia Extends Border Controls With Slovakia Until January 3, 2024

The Czech authorities have announced that the country will extend its internal border control with Slovakia once again. According to the Minister of Interior of Czechia, Vit Rakusan, the border controls with Slovakia will remain in place until January 3, 2024. Commenting on the extension of the measure, Minister Rakusan said that by keeping stricter rules in place, the country wants to combat irregular migration into Czechia. He further stressed that border controls are necessary as there is a lack of common EU policies aimed at guarding the external borders of the EU and dealing with migration, Reuters explains. In addition, Minister Rakusan said that it only makes sense for Czechia to keep border controls in place as long as the neighbouring countries do the same. Czechia initially introduced internal border controls with Slovakia on October 4 after an increase in irregular border crossings and in an attempt to put an end to people smuggling activities. Since then, the country has continuously extended the measures and has stressed that apart from the Czech-Slovak border,  random checks will also be carried out along the whole border section. Poland has also extended its internal border controls with Slovakia. However, unlike Czechia, Poland...

 by Angelina Nikonova Nov 27, 2023

Sweat it Out: The 10 Best Saunas in Prague

Looking for the best saunas in Prague? Clear your calendar, as the capital’s top saunas, will have you hot and heavy for a good ol’ pamper session. Whether it’s pounding the pavement to see the top Prague attractions or the daily hassle of getting through the day unscathed, you deserve a little pick-me-up. And what better way to alleviate stress than by squeezing it out of you in sweat form? From cozy nooks to more luxurious spas in the city, saunas in Prague are available in abundance.   Sauna Smíchov Overlooking the Vltava river, visitors can find the picturesque private wellness sauna, perfect for visiting with friends. Sauna Smichov offers a unique experience to its visitors by giving them the opportunity to privately hire out the sauna for up to six friends. In addition to using the sauna, visitors will also have access to the refreshing whirlpool and will be able to a glass of Moët at the onsite bar – whilst having a panoramic view of the Vltava river.   Sauna Vltava Over a hundred rooms in several types of saunas, massages of all kinds, yoga classes and excellent gastronomy can be found at Dvorce in Podolí. A full-day entry costs 320 CZK,...

 by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2023

Penta Group Acquired Florenc Bus Station in Prague

Penta will acquire the entire company ČSAD Praha Holding, which owns the terminal and the adjacent lucrative land. The transaction price has not been disclosed by the companies. Approximately 450 buses pass through this station every day, making it the largest bus station in the Czech Republic. Pavel Vráblík, the CEO of ČSAD Praha Holding, estimated in June that in 2019, ten million people passed through the station, but after the pandemic, the number has dropped by about one million. Vráblík stated in June that the Florenc 21 project would include the bus station as part of a new building, which would house office spaces and apartments. He estimated the investment in the project at several billion Czech crowns. Penta Real Estate recently completed work on the Masaryčka building complex by Prague’s Masaryk railway station. It was designed by the UK’s Zaha Hadid Studios and is regarded as one of the boldest projects of its kind in the Czech capital in some years. The construction of the two buildings that make up Masaryčka began in March 2021 and the total investment was CZK 2.5 billion. Penta Investments is a Central European investment group founded in 1994. It is active in...

 by Richard Golbeck Nov 27, 2023

How People Become Homeless, and How You Can Help Them This Winter

Everybody’s lives have been affected by Coronavirus, but people without homes have been hit hard by the sharp fall in tourism, the closure of public toilets, and nighttime curfew. The stigma around homelessness means that people can be unwilling to help. However, people can become homeless for many reasons outside of their control – such as losing their job, as many have during the crisis. They deserve compassion and support from those who can provide it. If you decide you have the means to help Prague’s homeless population, it may be challenging to know where to begin, so to educate ex-pats, nonprofit organisation Mistni Mistnim (Locals for Locals) founder Ester Pacltova and Jitka Modlitbová, the Director of Social Service with the Salvation Army in the Czech Republic, shed some light on common questions. How many people are homeless and what is their demographic?  It’s difficult to say how many homeless people live in Prague. In 2011, the Czech Statistical Office attempted to count the number of people living without permanent shelter in the whole of the Czech Republic for the first time. They counted 11,496 people. However, this doesn’t consider those who are considered hidden homeless. “We know this is...

 by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2023

Czech Schools, Unions Strike Against Government Savings Plan

Thousands of Czech schools shut their doors on Monday and staged a rare one-day strike to demand higher funding for education, which they say is threatened by the centre-right cabinet’s austerity policies. Unions said the strike was joined by most schools and was supported by other unions in the public and private sectors amid displeasure with the government’s efforts to cut budget deficits. Teachers unions have said the 2024 education budget plan would threaten the quality of schooling due to inadequate resources for teaching languages and other subjects in small groups, and low funding for teachers’ assistants and other support professions, such as cooks. Josef Stredula, chief of the largest union group CMKOS, said the government had ignored the impact of inflation including energy prices on living standards and its package of tax hikes and spending cuts approved by parliament was unacceptable. “The government has been ignoring the tough life it has caused,” he said on Czech Television. Other professions will join the strike, including unions at the largest private manufacturer Skoda Auto, which planned a two-hour work stoppage. Stredula said around 1 million people would support the strike in some form. The government has said the strike was unfounded...

 by Prague Morning Nov 27, 2023

Drying Up: Czech Republic’s Drought Reaches 34%

The Czech Republic is grappling with a 34% drought impact, accompanied by a decline in groundwater levels. Over the last decade, the monthly discharge of springs has seen a worrisome 127% decrease, according to data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Groundwater, vital for daily life as a key drinking water source and for soil fertility, is facing challenges. However, insights from the Czech Republic in Data journalism project highlight that scientific initiatives like Smart Landscape may offer solutions. Continued water scarcity and extreme weather conditions pose a threat to crops, jeopardizing the country’s food supply. Currently, the Czech Republic’s drought affects 34%, correlating with over 30% agricultural losses. “The primary cause of this decline is the increased evaporation of water from the ground due to rising temperatures. While precipitation during this period was 5% less than the long-term average, the main issue lies in its uneven distribution. Most waterfalls during heavy rains, running off the surface without penetrating the ground,” explains Alexandra Cholevová, an analyst for Czechia in Data. Would an upswing in rainfall positively impact water reserves? One might argue that the groundwater shortage stems from drought and insufficient rainfall. However, the crux lies in the evolving climate, resulting...

 by Hena Takal Nov 26, 2023

Moody’s Upgrades Czech Republic’s Economic Outlook

U.S. financial services firm Moody’s has upgraded the Czech Republic’s economic rating outlook from negative to stable, citing reduced risk linked to Russian gas supplies. The country’s shift to alternative gas sources and lowered gas demand by households and businesses contributed to this change. In August, the Czech Republic agreed to buy the main Czech gas storage company RWE Gas Storage CZ to bolster energy security, and in May signed a deal to boost capacity along the Transalpine Pipeline and cut off dependence on Russia from 2025. “The Czech Republic has become independent from Russian gas thanks to an effective substitution of Russian gas and structurally lower demand,” Moody’s said in its statement. About 98% of the Czech Republic’s gas supply was imported through pipelines from Russia prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the ratings agency. On Friday, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said he supported Slovakia’s request to continue exports of fuel produced from Russian oil to the Czech Republic beyond a Dec. 5 deadline. According to Moody’s, fiscal consolidation (policy to reduce debt) of around 2 percent of GDP over two years stabilizes the country’s debt burden. Furthermore, proposed pension reforms aiming to restrain costs from an...

 by Mailys David Nov 25, 2023

December 17: Karlínské náměstí to Host Traditional Christmas Markets!

Prague’s magical Christmas markets with beautifully designed wooden chalets take place on the major squares – Old Town Square, Republic Square, Wenceslas Square, or Peace Square. They lay out plenty of exciting foodie items, handmade craft gifts, and the most delicious warming drinks such as hot chocolate or spiced mulled wines. You will find great gift ideas as there is a vast selection of Christmas decorations, toys, jewelry, winter clothing, and accessories. It is also a great alternative to the usual Christmas shopping experience. If you stroll around the city markets, you are sure to get in the festive spirit. This year, you can attend a Christmas Market also on Karlínské náměstí on December 17th, from 12 pm until 8 pm. You can enjoy the magical atmosphere, the smell of mulled wine, the nativity scene, carols, and lots of goodies will make the Christmas rush more enjoyable. You can look forward to making Christmas decorations, a St. Nicholas gift, children will be able to write to Santa Claus and there will be singing performances by local schools and choirs. Venue: Karlínské nám. 316/7, Prague, Czech Republic Admission: FREE Find all the info here

 by Prague Morning Nov 25, 2023

Unions in the Czech Republic Declare Strike: Many Schools to be Closed

On Monday, November 27, hundreds of industrial enterprises will join a strike against the government’s actions, halting production. About a million workers are expected to participate in the protest. The march will lead from Prague’s Rudolfinum to Malostranské náměstí, where a rally will take place starting at 1pm. On the same day, teachers and other educational institution staff will also protest, leading to the closure of many schools in the Czech Republic. Why is the strike happening? Teachers in Czechia are dissatisfied with low pay, earning around CZK 36,000 monthly, below the national average. In 2022, salaries for all school staff (including principals and administrators) saw minimal growth, averaging CZK 48,200, worsened by underfunding in the education sector. Support staff, like cooks and janitors, also express discontent, facing potential wage cuts of 2 percent in the 2024 education budget. Concerns arise about the impact on services like school meals. At the automotive company Škoda Auto, production will be halted at all plants for two hours with union activists expecting at least 8,000 employees to participate in the strike. This was announced on Tuesday at a press conference by the chairman of the KOVO union, Roman Dürch, and the leader of...

 by Karolina Kubičková Nov 25, 2023

The Czech Republic Ranked 12th in the Latest Global Peace Index

Researchers have revealed where and where not to visit if safety and peace are your top priorities, with this year’s publication of the Global Peace Index (GPI). This 17th edition of the index reveals, depressingly, that overall world peacefulness has declined by just under half a percent, which may not seem much but fits in with a 15-year downward trend. How is it measured? The Institute for Economics and Peace uses both qualitative and quantitative criteria in the GPI, a whole 23 of them, and looks at 163 independent states and territories comprising 99.7 per cent of the world’s population. Three main areas are taken into consideration: how safe and secure society is; ongoing domestic and international conflict levels; and to what extent the country in question is militarising.   Global Peace Index 2023: The average level of global peacefulness deteriorated for the ninth consecutive year, with 84 countries recording an improvement and 79 a deterioration pic.twitter.com/ZfVmUIj1hU — IEP Global Peace Index (@GlobPeaceIndex) November 22, 2023   The Czech Republic has been ranked 12th in the Global Peace Index 2023. Despite a slight drop of five places over the past twelve months, the country still maintains its position among the...

 by Sian Bradley Nov 24, 2023

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