Czechia

Czech Defense Minister Calls For Withdrawal From UN Following Israel Ceasefire Resolution

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová, expressing outrage at a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for Israel to cease its operations in the Gaza Strip, called for the Czech Republic to withdraw from the UN on Saturday. “I know that today is an important day for [the Czech Republic] and we want to celebrate our 105th anniversary. But this simply cannot be time-barred, forgive me. Exactly three weeks ago, Hamas murdered more than 1,400 Israelis, which is more victims per their population than the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda murdered on 9/11/2001 in the USA. And only 14 countries, including ours, stood up against the unprecedented terrorist attack committed by Hamas terrorists, clearly and comprehensible! “I am ashamed of the UN. In my opinion – the Czech Republic has nothing to expect in an organization that supports terrorists and does not respect the basic right to self-defense. Let’s get out.” The UNGA resolution approved on Friday calls for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” The resolution did not include a condemnation of Hamas’s attack on Israel or a mention of Hamas in a line calling for the release of the hostages. The resolution was...

 by Prague Morning Oct 29, 2023

On This Day, in 1918: the Independence of Czechoslovakia Was Proclaimed

On October 28, 1918, the independence of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed by the Czechoslovak National Council in Prague, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the First World War. The birth of Czechoslovakia Throughout the 19th century, the rise of nationalist movements, mounting ethnic tensions and repressive religious and ethnic policies, such as the forced Magyarization of Slovaks, pushed the cohesion of the multi-national Austro-Hungarian Empire to its breaking point. Despite cultural differences, the Slovaks shared similar aspirations with the Czechs for independence from the Habsburg state, and by the start of the 20th century, the idea of a “Czecho-Slovak” entity, advocated by Czech and Slovak intellectuals began to emerge. During the First World War, Tomáš Masaryk, Edvard Beneš and Slovak astronomer Milan Rastislav Štefánik founded the Czechoslovak National Council who worked to secure Allied recognition. During that time, more than 90,000 Czech and Slovak volunteers formed the Czechoslovak Legions in Russia, France and Italy, where they fought against the Central Powers. Following the Pittsburgh Agreement of May 1918, which prescribed the intent to create an independent Czechoslovakia, the Czechoslovak declaration of independence was signed by Masaryk, Štefánik and Beneš on October 18, 1918 in Paris. The independence of Czechoslovakia...

 by Prague Morning Oct 28, 2023

Czechia to Prosecute Pro-Russian Activist Who Called for Country’s ‘De-Ukrainization’

Czech authorities are preparing to prosecute Nela Liskova, a pro-Russian activist who styled herself as an “honorary consul” to Russian occupation authorities in Donetsk Oblast, for spreading hatred against Ukrainians online, Czech Television reported on Oct. 25. Liskova, a Czech citizen who is, according to local fact-checking sites, close to the country’s pro-Russian disinformation sphere, called Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky a “Nazi monster” in her post on the social media platform X in June. “De-Ukrainization and de-Nazification of the Czech Republic, that will be our task!” Liskova wrote in a statement that prompted an investigation by law enforcement. The Czech police recently completed their investigation into Liskova’s post and handed her case over to the State Prosecutor’s Office, Czech Television reported. The prosecutors relayed the matter to the court, asking for her to be prosecuted for “spreading hatred toward a group of persons.” Liskova claims, however, that she was only commenting on Zelensky and called her statements “personal political views.” The activist used to lead a Czech-based organization that presented itself as the “representative office” of Russian occupation authorities in Donetsk Oblast. Liskova styled herself as an “honorary consul” to Russian proxy authorities, according to Czech Television. The group was reportedly active from 2016 until...

 by Prague Morning Oct 25, 2023

Czechia Invests Almost CZK 24 Billion for Railway Modernization

Thanks to the largest loan ever taken out by that country from the EIB. Yesterday, the Czech Republic signed a loan agreement to the tune of CZK 24 billion (equivalent to 992 million euros) with the European Investment Bank (EIB) with the aim of drastically modernizing its railway network. The loan is the largest that the Central European country has ever taken out from that bank. The use of a loan from the European Investment Bank is the most economical and efficient solution to obtain funds for a strategic investment such as the digitalisation and automation of railway transportation, given the current level of the general government budget deficit,” said Czech Minister of Finance Zbyněk Stanjura, giving the reason for the choice of that type of financing. Making Czech railway transport fit for the 21st century The stated horizon for the planned modernization of the Czech railways is 2027 and the funds will be managed through the Railway Administration of the country. According to EIB, modernizing the railway lines will increase both maximum speeds and capacity on sections of the TEN-T network, which is expected to improve connectivity between EU regions. The initiative will actually consist of about 40 projects...

 by Sarah Duchêne Oct 25, 2023

Ed Sheeran’s Return to Czech Republic: Hist Tour Hits Hradec Králové Next Year

Renowned British artist Ed Sheeran, famed for chart-toppers like ‘Shape of You’, ‘Thinking Out Loud’, and ‘Perfect’, is making a highly anticipated return to the Czech Republic after a five-year hiatus. His MATHEMATICS Tour, following a record-breaking U.S. stint that set attendance records, will grace the Czech Republic on Saturday, 27 July 2024, at the Park 360 multifunctional complex in Hradec Králové, part of the Rock for People concert series. Expressing his enthusiasm, Michal Thomes of Ameba Production, the co-organizing agency, shared, “We’re thrilled to host such an extraordinary talent as Ed Sheeran. His choice of Park 360, the heart of the Rock for People festival, for his Czech show, is a momentous occasion for us.” Accompanying the performance, British singer-songwriter Calum Scott will captivate the audience as a special guest. The event, endorsed by Hradec Králové’s Mayor, Pavlína Springerová, promises an unforgettable experience. Tickets, available from 10 am on Thursday, 26 October, through GoOut, Ticketportal, and Eventim.de networks, include access to the themed Park 360 Fan Zone near the concert venue. The day of the concert will also feature various engaging activities, both musical and non-musical. Ed Sheeran performed in Czechia last time in 2019, drawing crowds of 140,000...

 by Prague Morning Oct 24, 2023

Czech Village Priest Apologizes for Smashing Halloween Pumpkins

A village priest in the Czech Republic has issued an apology to local children after he was seen stomping on Halloween pumpkins near his church in Kurdejov, a village in South Moravia known for its winemaking. Father Jaromir Smejkal admitted to destroying the carved pumpkins on two consecutive days in a local park. He expressed regret for his actions in an open letter addressed to the mayor and posted on the village’s Facebook page. Father Smejkal explained that he had taken the drastic step because he believed the pumpkins were symbols of the “satanic feast of ‘Halloween'” and felt it was his duty as a priest and protector of the children in his care to remove these symbols. He claimed he was unaware that the pumpkins had been carved by children participating in Halloween festivities organized by the village. In his letter, Father Smejkal criticized Halloween as a tradition originating from a “heathen, contemporary world,” which he viewed as a contrast to the Catholic observance of All Souls’ Day. Despite his explanation, some local children were reportedly left in tears upon discovering that their creations had been destroyed. New pumpkins were placed in the park, but they too were found...

 by Prague Morning Oct 21, 2023

Breaking Barriers: Czechia Witnesses Record Number of Gender Reassignment Surgery

In 2022, the Czech Republic experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for gender reassignment surgery, with 208 residents applying for the procedure. This marked a 6% increase from the previous year, setting a historic record for the country. According to Ondřej Jakob, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, a meticulous medical commission diligently evaluated these applications, with only one being rejected. Detailed statistics for the year will be published by the ministry at a later date. The number of individuals seeking gender reassignment in the Czech Republic has been steadily rising. To provide context, a mere 13 applications were submitted in 2012. Experts attribute this uptick to several factors, including the influence of social media, enhanced sexual education, and a society increasingly embracing tolerance. Gender reassignment is no longer a taboo topic; instead, it is openly discussed, facilitating quicker identification of issues and empowering people to seek solutions without fear. The relatively low cost of the procedure also plays a pivotal role in residents’ decisions to pursue gender reassignment. State medical insurance covers the expenses related to the surgery itself and necessary examinations. Patients are only responsible for certain hormonal treatments and cosmetic enhancements, such as depilation or breast implants....

 by Prague Morning Oct 21, 2023

Czech Government Plans Coal Phase-Out by 2033 and Oil and Gas by 2050

The Czech government has approved a draft revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which aims to phase out coal by 2033 and oil and gas by 2050. Under the plan, nuclear resources will be strengthened, mainly through the construction of new reactors, while the share of renewables will be increased to 40% by 2030 and to 60% in the next decade. The government also plans to increase the share of renewable energy sources from 15% to 30% by 2030. “The plan presents an outlook for the development of the energy sector until 2030. By then, electricity consumption will increase by around one-tenth compared to today. On the other hand, we foresee a significant drop in energy consumption and a reduction in coal-fired electricity generation,” Czech Energy and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela said on Wednesday. “We will also stop exporting brown coal electricity, the production of which will no longer be profitable due to the price of emission permits,” he added. In 2022, Czechia’s coal and nuclear power plants made it one of the world’s leading electricity exporters. However, the country is ready to lose this status and become an importer of clean energy from EU partners. “This will be...

 by Prague Morning Oct 19, 2023

22-Years Old Czech Citizen Among Victims of Hamas Attack in Israel

In a devastating turn of events, a 22-year-old Czech citizen, Oran Elfasi, was tragically caught in the crosshairs of the recent Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daniel Drake has confirmed the news, adding that the man was a Czech-Israeli dual citizen who was visiting his girlfriend in Israel and was killed in an attack in kibbutz Nirim. “They should have shot him with a bullet right through the window,” she said. It took more than a week before it was discovered that Elfasi was also a Czech citizen. He was on a list of missing Israeli citizens. The man’s relatives were from Ostrava. “According to what we traced, the great-grandmother and great-grandfather were from Ostrava,” said the Czech Ambassador to Tel Aviv Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová. Dozens of people from several other foreign countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Argentina, Brazil and Thailand, have also lost their lives in the Hamas attack and the subsequent shelling by Israel of the Gaza Strip. Oran Elfasi se zasazoval o mír, chtěl trávit čas se svou přítelkyní a rozhodně nechtěl, aby v Izraeli nebo Gaze umírali civilisté. Upřímnou soustrast rodině tohoto česko-izraelského mladíka. Jeho příběh budiž další z připomínek, proč...

 by Prague Morning Oct 18, 2023

Prague’s Population Is Booming Over the Next Quarter-Century

On the eve of Czechoslovakia’s split, the population of Prague was reported to be around 1.2 million. In 2021, three decades later, the population remained about the same, at 1.28 million. Could that mean the global growth in population is not affecting Czechia’s capital? According to the Prague Institute of Planning and Development, it is estimated to be quite the opposite in the long term. Instead of stagnation as witnessed in the past thirty years, the next thirty will see a significant increase in the number of Prague inhabitants. By 2050, the population is expected to increase to 1.7 million, with about 400,000 more residents. In relation to other European cities, Prague’s growth has been considered to be ‘above-average’ in recent years, and the most progressive out of all the former Eastern bloc cities. “Future development will be influenced primarily by population migration, which applies to cities in general. Every year, nine thousand more people move to Prague than leave. In addition, two and a half thousand more children are born in Prague every year than people that pass away,” said Marek Vácha, spokesperson for the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) Despite worries regarding global overpopulation given that the...

 by Jakob Weizman Oct 17, 2023

IKEA Slashes Prices (Again) in Czech Republic: Bargain Bonanza for Shoppers!

In exciting news for furniture enthusiasts, IKEA is set to make waves in the Czech Republic yet again. Following their September announcement of price reductions on over three thousand of their most sought-after products, the company is poised to unveil even more wallet-friendly prices this week, according to reports from Seznam Zpravy. Clients have long noted disparities in IKEA’s pricing structures across European countries, with Czech customers often opting to travel to neighboring nations for more affordable options. In response, IKEA took a significant step last September by reducing prices by an impressive average of over 8 percent on a wide selection of items. Remarkably, this move transformed the once-costliest Kallax shelf in Central Europe into the most budget-friendly choice in the Czech Republic. Despite speculation that these changes were prompted by inter-country price discrepancies, David McCabe, the head of IKEA in the Czech Republic, has refuted these claims. While acknowledging the variations in pricing, McCabe explained that these differences stem from diverse local conditions, ranging from market size and transportation expenses to taxes and energy costs. However, regardless of the underlying reasons, Czech shoppers can eagerly anticipate a new round of reductions this week. McCabe emphasized the company’s commitment...

 by Prague Morning Oct 17, 2023

Climate Change Could Soon Affect the Taste of Beer, New Study Says

Beer lovers beware: climate change could soon make the world’s most popular alcoholic drink much more bitter. Climate change could soon be altering the quality of hops used to make beer which will then alter the flavor, according to a new study published Tuesday in Nature. European beer-producing regions are projected to experience up to an 18% reduction in their yield of traditional aroma hops by 2050 and up to a 31% reduction in hop acids that are key for bitter flavoring, researchers found. Beer is the world’s third most widely consumed beverage, after water and tea, and is the world’s most popular alcoholic drink, according to the paper. The cultivation of high-quality aroma hops is restricted to a relatively select number of regions with suitable climate and environmental conditions — posing a risk that production could be affected by rising global temperatures. Hops are considered a model crop in these regions, and it is “fairly difficult” to grow them elsewhere, Mirek Trnka, a bio climatologist at the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and one of the authors of the paper. The researchers collected data on beer hop yields and alpha content between 1971 and 2018...

 by Prague Morning Oct 17, 2023

Tell more about your business

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Thank You, It`s All Good

We will come back to you within 24 housr with our proporsal

Tell us about your.