Jsme Fér is an organization fighting for marriage equality in the Czech Republic. Their main goal is to help Czech policymakers recognize the unequal treatment of the LGBTQ community in the country when it comes to the institution of marriage and all the benefits that come with it. As of now, the LGBTQ people can only enter a registered partnership, while also facing multiple other issues. Prague Morning spoke to Filip Milde, the media representative of Jsme Fér, amid the recent Parliament discussions on passing the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. These discussions officially started at the end of May, but, as of now, have not reached a concrete verdict. “This is the second time that the marriage equality bill was introduced, the first one being in 2018. So far, the MPs spent a little under 5 hours debating the bill. Let’s say that our system is not the most effective when it comes to discussing these bills,” explains Filip. “The most rigid opponents of the bill simply keep avoiding talking about it and the discussion can drag on indefinitely. We are just begging them to push the bill through to the legislative process. Even society is begging them. The debate has been going on for a long time....
Flavours in heated tobacco products will be banned throughout the EU. President Petr Pavel signed an amendment to the law on public health protection on Monday. The amendment, which implements a mandatory European Union directive, will take effect on 23 October this year. There will be no grace period during which retailers can restock their inventories. The sales of heated tobacco products have exceeded the established limit in the European Union, leading the European Commission to adopt the amendment to the tobacco directive. The directive, which was adopted last June, introduces a ban on the marketing of tobacco products with distinctive flavors or containing flavorings in any of their components, including filters, papers, packaging, capsules, or any technical elements that alter the smell or taste of the tobacco products or the intensity of the smoke. The State Agriculture and Food Inspectorate stated in March that the ban, which already applies to cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, will now also extend to heated tobacco products, and the directive must be approved by July this year. According to an Ipsos survey earlier this year, 16 percent of users said they would switch back to conventional cigarettes if flavors were banned. Antonín Berdych, a...
Inflatech, owned by a Russian businessman who lives in the Czech Republic, produces inflatable fake tanks and rocket launchers. These decoys are extremely useful for Ukrainian forces exposed to their adversary’s bombardments. Two seamstresses are busy at their sewing machine joining together shapeless grey-green nylon strips. It’s hard to imagine that, once sewn together, these pieces of fabric will form the frame of a fake but very realistic SA-8, a Russian anti-aircraft vehicle. Able to be inflated in just a few minutes, this full-size copy can be used as a target for training Western forces, but also as a decoy to fool enemy artillery. It’s a vital device for the Ukrainian army in the face of Russian bombardment. Production takes place in the Czech Republic, in a small factory belonging to the company Inflatech, located in Decin, a town on the German border in the northwest of the Central European country. While the factory manager, Victor Talanov, refused to confirm that he works for the Ukrainian army, he admitted with a touch of black humor, “Putin has done good marketing for us, we doubled our sales in 2022.” ‘Highly skilled seamstresses’ With its brand-new production unit set up behind the...
Originally from Ukraine, Illia Sytnyk is a 17-year-old student, currently based in České Budějovice. Driven out of his country by war, he came to the Czech Republic with no money and no solid connections. Today, he helps out the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian people through his work with Starlink technology. “Yeah, I came a year ago because of the war. Nobody really knew what was going on or where to go. So, my mom and I came to the Czech Republic, but we really had no idea where we were going or what we were doing,” says Illia. Upon arriving in the Czech Republic, Illia realized the problem of connectivity among Ukrainian people, due to frequent electricity shortages and limited Internet access. But he quickly discovered a potential solution – Starlink satellites. Starlink is an Internet satellite constellation owned by Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX. A kit consists of an antenna dish, a set-up base, cables, and a rooter. Once installed, the weather-resistant antenna dish picks up on the signal from the satellites placed in low Earth orbit, thus enabling satellite-based Internet connectivity to places that have limited or no Internet access – the kind of connectivity needed in the blackout-stricken Ukraine. “Starlink technology can play a strategic role in the...
Former journalist Jana Peterková received a two-year suspended sentence from the Prague City Court for spreading alarmist news during the pandemic, despite her supporters storming the courtroom. Dozens of supporters came to support Peterková in the court hearing, breaking down the courtroom door and chanting slogans about the fascist state. In response, the Czech police detained two people who were later released. One of the court members was taken to hospital. “We are continuing to investigate the entire incident and determine whether further violations occurred,” Prague police spokesman Jan Rybanský told the Czech News Agency. Peterková claims that NATO troops will occupy the Czech Republic and the soldiers would shoot anyone who refused to be taken for a coronavirus vaccination. Peterková, a 47-year-old former reporter for TV Nova, has spoken in videos on social media about the drastic investigation and treatment of children in hospitals and alleged forced COVID-19 vaccinations. Adam Wenig, a spokesman for the Prague City Court, said that the incident could be classified as a crime of disorderly conduct, contempt of court or, in extreme cases, violence against an official. Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek condemned the behaviour of those involved in the incident. He also announced that...
A Czech Republic resident has sparked outrage by displaying outside her home a flag of the Wagner private military company, whose mercenaries are currently engaged in war crimes against Ukraine as part of Russia’s occupying forces, Czech Radio reported on May 27. Lucie Brychtova, a Czech citizen, proudly exhibited the flag of the war criminals on her private property, even sharing a photo of it on her Facebook page. The woman’s social media posts clearly demonstrate her support for the “Russian world” ideology and the fictitious entity known as “Novorossiya.” The police have initiated an investigation into this incident. David Chaloupka, spokesperson for the Czech police, confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “The police are aware of this case. An investigation is underway. However, premature comments are not appropriate at this time.” Wagner mercenaries have been actively involved in the conflict in Ukraine since 2014, fighting against the Ukrainian army under Russia’s full-scale invasion. Established in 2014 by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the Wagner private military company is reported to receive monthly funding exceeding $100 million from Prigozhin for its operations in Ukraine. Apart from Ukraine, Wagner PMC mercenaries have reportedly been deployed to other regions, including...
As a popular tourist destination, Prague has experienced a high demand for short-term rental accommodation options like Airbnb. Some people believe that owning a property for this purpose can be profitable, but it’s crucial to understand the business before diving in. This article will examine the advantages and challenges of owning an Airbnb property in Prague, based on real-life experiences and insights from Nick Marley, who manages over 40 Airbnb flats in the city. What’s the ideal property for Airbnb? To attract guests and secure bookings, your property should ideally have a comfortable size and a functional layout. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are popular choices, as they cater to solo travellers and couples. Properties with multiple bedrooms and kitchen areas can also be popular, especially with families and groups of friends, as that’s typically something hotels can’t offer. Location is key though, with apartments in or near popular tourist areas like Old Town, Mala Strana, and Vinohrady being highly sought after. The key is to get as close to the center as possible. You might be surprised to know the Žižkov area around like Husitska street or near Zizkov stadium does better than JZP, for example. How do you fit...
The days of ex-partners and former friends holding onto each other’s Netflix passwords are officially coming to an end. Users will receive an email reminding them that Netflix accounts are intended for one household only, but it will be possible to add another user to an account in Czechia for an additional CZK 79 per month. The exact date when this will happen has not yet been disclosed. Netflix has previously estimated that over 100 million households worldwide share an account. The company initially ignored password sharing, alleging it nourished growth for the platform. But last year the streamer changed its tune, announcing that it was going to crack down on password sharing because it hurts its overall net income. The company has already made moves to shut down password sharing in other countries like Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. In each market so far, Netflix has reported seeing a “cancel reaction” which gives way to “increased acquisition and revenue.” Netflix’s bold move to combat password sharing is a game-changer in the streaming industry. As the battle for subscribers intensifies, the company is taking decisive action to protect its revenue streams and invest in even more jaw-dropping content. With password sharing now under strict scrutiny, Netflix...
If the Czech Republic held a referendum on leaving the EU today, 63% of Czechs would vote to remain, a fresh survey conducted in one of the EU’s most eurosceptic countries found. The survey was conducted by the Europeum Institute and analytical agency STEM even though no such referendum is currently on the political agenda. Indeed, Czechs are generally optimistic about the EU, with 56% of respondents expressing this opinion. Still, they remain sceptical about introducing the common euro currency, as less than one in five said they favoured adoption, the Czech News Agency reported. Besides examining Czechs’ attitudes towards the EU, the survey also found that most Czechs still support welcoming Ukrainian refugees. According to Interior Ministry figures, there are currently some 325,000 in the country. Still, Jaromír Mazák, director of the STEM research agency, believes that while support for accepting Ukrainian refugees has been stable over time, it is quite fragile. “More than half of the public is concerned about the negative impact of migration from Ukraine on the quality of public services and the economy as a whole,” said Mazák, as quoted by the Czech News Agency. The survey found that 44% of Czechs are willing to help even at...
The Ministry of the Environment has announced its intention to implement a ban on the sale of coal for home heating starting from January 2025. This move aims to encourage individuals who currently rely on coal as a heating source to evaluate the condition of their stoves and coal supplies and explore alternative options. Under the proposed amendment to the Air Protection Act, combustion appliances powered by solid fossil fuels with a capacity of up to 300 kilowatts will no longer be permitted to enter the market as of January 1, 2025. Lucie Ješátková, the spokesperson for the ministry, has confirmed the plans, stating, “The ban on introducing combustion sources using solid fossil fuels up to 300 kilowatts to the market will be implemented from January 1, 2025.” However, the sale of existing coal stockpiles will still be allowed after this date. It’s worth noting that the ban does not extend to certain types of coal, such as brown and black coal, anthracite, and coal briquettes. Czech manufacturers will still be permitted to produce coal-fired stoves for export. This measure is seen as a proactive step in preparation for the expected limited availability of coal and in line with the...
Almost one-tenth of adults in the Czech Republic, around 900,000 people, drink alcohol every day, and around 1.5 million drink hazardously. A recent report on addictions, commissioned by the Czech government and published by the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions, sheds light on the situation. The report reveals that close to ten percent of adults over the age of 15 consume alcohol on a daily basis. Moreover, an estimated 1.5 to 1.7 million people fall into the risky drinking category. One might assume that having a couple of beers in the evening would not pose a significant threat to one’s health. However, for women, consuming an average of over 20 grams of ethanol per day – the equivalent of less than two small beers or three glasses of wine – is already considered risky. Men, on the other hand, should not exceed 60 grams of ethanol. Furthermore, the act of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting brings about additional risks. In this category, the Czech Republic ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence worldwide. “Women are more likely to drink wine,” said Chomynova. “Drinking patterns among women are different. Women are more likely to...
A Czech medical worker, severely injured in Donbas in March and transferred to the Central Military Hospital in Prague in April, has passed away. “With deep sorrow, we inform you of sad news. Taylor, the founder of the Phoenix project, our friend and hero who personally saved many wounded soldiers on the eastern front and trained thousands of soldiers and civilians in combat medicine, succumbed to his severe injuries on May 15, 2023, after weeks of fighting,” said representatives of the Phoenix programme on social media. According to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two Czech volunteers fighting against the Russian army have lost their lives in Ukraine. One passed away in March 2023 and the other in June 2022. The Phoenix project trains Ukrainian troops in combat medicine, while medics provide direct assistance on the front lines. Taylor suffered shrapnel wounds (Ukr) in mid-March during an artillery shelling in Donbas while assisting in evacuating a wounded Ukrainian soldier. At the time, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the injured individual’s condition did not allow immediate evacuation. The medical worker was evacuated (Ukr) to the Prague Central Military Hospital in early April.
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