Qatar will open an embassy in the Czech Republic in the coming months, Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani said in a joint press conference with Czech President Milos Zeman yesterday. The Czech Republic opened its embassy in Doha earlier this year. Al Thani, who is on an official visit to Prague, said he is looking forward to Zeman’s visit to Doha, which is preparing for the launch of the FIFA World Cup next month. He added that he discussed with his Czech counterpart the development of mutual economic relations. Al Thani reiterated Qatar’s clear position to resolve all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. “As far as economic questions are concerned, we signed an agreement on economic cooperation today, as well as a letter of commitment to sign an agreement on the protection of investments after the latter is ratified by the European Commission,” President Zemen said. Al Thani ended his visit to Czechia prematurely after Brussels didn’t approve his attendance at Thursday’s summit of the European Political Community platform. According to Deník N, the sheik wanted to become an official participant in the summit and attend a gala dinner for about 50 political leaders. He reportedly left before...
Czech member of the European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský received death threats on social media after embracing a joke on the Czech Republic annexing the Russian region of Kaliningrad. The joke started when an anonymous Polish account on Twitter wrote about dividing Kaliningrad between Poland and the Czech Republic so that the countries could “finally have access to the sea.” On September 29, Zdechovský—who has been an MEP since 2014—reposted the tweet, translating it into English for an international audience. “I decided to make a joke much more serious,” he told Newsweek. “But it’s obviously ironic. Everybody knows it’s ironic.” But Zdechovský said his statements on social media are followed by many Russian journalists, who are aware that he has a strong pro-Ukraine stance and took the joke as a serious threat. “They took it seriously because they have an agenda,” Zdechovský said. “I know Russian propaganda very well, I spent a lot of time studying their behavior and from the first moment it was absolutely clear that Russia will react. I know how nationalist they are.” Russia’s state-affiliated RT published an article on September 30 saying an “MEP wants Russian region split between two EU states” and had suggested holding a referendum in the region. “Je čas rozdělit Kaliningrad, aby naši čeští bratři měli konečně...
If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala met for talks with the British head of government, Liz Truss, on Thursday ahead of the European Political Community’s meeting at Prague Castle. They discussed bilateral cooperation, the security situation and support for Ukraine. Gas consumption in the Czech Republic fell by 20 percent year-on-year in the third quarter. According to Rajdl the drop in consumption is linked to the later start of the heating season and probably also the closure of some companies due to the energy crunch and soaring inflation. The export of military equipment from the Czech Republic to Ukraine has totalled CZK 47 billion this year, including CZK 4.2 billion provided by the state, Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told journalists yesterday. According to Fincentrum Hypoindex, the average offer rate for mortgages fell slightly for the second time in a row. The Czech National Bank (ČNB) left base interest rates unchanged at its September meeting, while some banks cut mortgage rates as part of their autumn discount promotions. Qatar will open an embassy in...
On Thursday morning, October 6, activists of the Czech branch of Greenpeace unrolled on the Vltava river an inflatable yellow gas pipeline with the inscription “Putin’s Blood Gas”. It appeared close to the Charles Bridge opposite the Prague Castle, where today is taking place the informal European Council meeting. EU leaders will discuss the three most pressing, and interlinked, issues facing the EU, namely Russia’s war in Ukraine, energy and the economic situation. “Today’s protest wants to send a clear message to politicians that they can not continue to deepen relations with the fossil fuel industry and ignore investments in renewable energy sources,” the activists’ representative Miriam Macurová said. According to her, the energy and climate crises have a common cause – dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, Greenpeace views Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine as an opportunity for European countries to accelerate the abandonment of hydrocarbons, reduce emissions, and address climate change while ensuring energy security. “This winter will be severe, but the next one could be even worse if European governments remain dependent on gas and oil supplies. Imposing a cap on prices may bring temporary relief and lower energy bills, but it will not solve the global problem of...
The Czech government extended its checks on the border with European Union neighbour Slovakia by another 20 days, seeking to control a spike in the flow of illegal migrants, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said on Wednesday. Czech police started checks on the 252-km border on September 29, initially for 10 days. Within the first 24 hours of activating checks, the Czech police have detained 11 migrant traffickers and 247 illegal migrants in the South Moravian Region. Border checks across 17 crossings on the Czech-Slovak border were put in place in light of a rise in illegal migration to Europe, particularly from Syria. Before the checks, the Czech Republic had detained around 12,000 illegal migrants in 2022, a 12-fold increase from a year ago. The vast majority have been Syrians, mostly coming from Turkey, the government has said. They mainly continue to Germany and elsewhere. Slovakia has criticised the Czech border checks as being against the principles of the border check-free Schengen area within the EU. Rakusan also argued that Hungary was to blame for the problem as the country has stopped observing the readmission agreement of reciprocal acceptance of refugees. Rakusan also said he would like to discuss modifications to...
Stanislav Virdzek has a lot on his mind. He is the co-owner of La Donuteria in Spalena street. In addition, he and his business partner Lukas are also development managers in the Czech Republic and overseeing the growth and expansion in the country of the brand, which is one of the fastest-growing in the world and already has over 7 locations just in the country. Nonetheless, he still comes in almost every morning at 5 am to make the donuts. “You know, with the high standards that we have for ourselves and our product, we really take this seriously,” he says. Despite the hard work involved both in running the shop and in overseeing expansion to other locations – the newest branch opened a couple of months ago in Hradec Králové – he still enjoys the work. “It is really difficult sometimes, but what makes it rewarding is that people are coming back and are happy. The feeling and look on people’s faces is the best part,” he says to Prague Morning. Even famous Praguers can’t resist the delicious pull of La Donuteria. Pavel Hoftych, the famous football player and coach, comes with his family. Stanislav says that he comes...
The Czech government cleared the way on Wednesday to impose caps on electricity and gas prices for households, public institutions and small companies for 2023 as the country faces soaring prices pushed higher by the war in Ukraine. The Czech Republic, like others in the European Union, has sought to shield people from soaring energy costs as gas supplies from Russia fell, driving up market prices. The Czech caps, finalised by a government order approved on Wednesday, will be set at 6 crowns per kilowatt hour of electricity and 3 crowns for gas throughout 2023, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. The caps, first agreed by the government last month, apply also to public institutions like hospitals or schools, are in line with the government’s previous announcements. Smaller businesses will also be covered. Last month, the government agreed larger companies would draw from a 30 billion crown package, and a further 30 billion should be made available for smaller companies within a framework proposed by the European Commission. EU governments have debated a gas price cap for weeks, without reaching agreement, and the topic will be up for talks when member states’ leaders meet on Thursday and Friday in Prague for...
Since the release of their gold-certified breakthrough album, 2016’s A/B, Icelandic rock band KALEO—led by frontman/songwriter JJ Julius Son—has taken their music around the world. The album spawned three hit singles – the GRAMMY-nominated “No Good,” the gold-selling “All The Pretty Girls” and the chart-topping, 2x Platinum-certified “Way Down We Go” which was used in over two dozen television shows from Grey’s Anatomy to Riverdale, leading the No. 1 single to top The Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs chart. After amassing over 1 Billion global streams, 39 international certifications, and countless sold-out headline shows spanning from London to Moscow, KALEO has proven to be a worldwide phenomenon. Known for their electrifying live performances, KALEO completely sold out their first U.S. headline tour and was a standout at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo and recently were hand-picked to open stadium dates for the Rolling Stones. Since KALEO wrapped a nearly non-stop 3-year touring schedule in support of A/B in October 2018, Julius Son was in the studio working on the band’s highly anticipated follow-up album. KALEO’s Fight or Flight Tour is set to begin in 2022. KALEO’s sophomore album – Surface Sounds – was released on April 23, 2021 on Elektra/Atlantic and...
If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix. The Czech Republic will extend the checks at its border with Slovakia by another 20 days from the original 8 October deadline, until 28 October. The cabinet approved this proposal from Interior Minister Vit Rakusan today. On Thursday, the new European Political Community (EPC) will discuss security and peace, energy, climate issues, and the economic situation at its inaugural summit in Prague. Representatives of 44 countries were invited to attend the summit Czech President Miloš Zeman and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, signed an agreement on economic cooperation at a meeting at Prague Castle on Wednesday. They are also due to approve an agreement on investment protection. Renáta Kellnerová, widow of the late billionaire Petr Kellner, who died in a plane crash in the US last year, is the wealthiest Czech, according to an annual rich list published by Forbes on Wednesday. The market value of her assets is estimated at CZK 382.9 billion. The cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) confirmed the price cap on electricity and gas. Citizens...
Note legal paragraphs, sabres that curl, pay heed dear Havel, dear Havel, muse well! Note legal paragraphs, sabres that curl, pay heed dear Havel, dear Havel, muse well! This chorus from a song by Jaroslav Hutka used to get sung around Prague with an air of mystery. That was before the Velvet Revolution of 1989. At that time Václav Havel’s name was far less known than it is today. Back then, Václav Havel was ‘merely’ a persecuted Czech dissident, a co-writer of the Charter 77 protest in Czechoslovakia, an author of little-known plays, which were only ever performed abroad. It didn’t take long, and the life story of Václav Havel changed immensely. Today, Václav Havel is a world-renowned persona. Yet few of those arriving from abroad have any inkling about his life and family background. Havel’s family history is a rather interesting perspective on the 20th century, however. October 5th marks the 85th birthday of Václav Havel, the last president of Czechoslovakia (from 1989 to 1992) and the first president of the Czech Republic (from 1993 to 2003). Aside from that, Havel was a poet, playwright and filmmaker. His absurdist plays, which were critical of communism, led him to be blacklisted after the 1968 Soviet-led...
The Czech Republic is a very friendly and laid-back place to stay. Before the country joined the European Union in 2004 and it had its own currency, local prices were shockingly low. You could have a lunch for two at a restaurant serving local food and pay only $6 for the both of you. Times have changed and so have prices. Now those who live or visit the country must choose where to go, where to buy food, and generally which products to buy very carefully to make their money last longer. Where to live If you are a student, living in your university’s dormitory is a much cheaper choice. If your university’s accommodations are fully booked or you want to look into other dormitories, these will most likely be more expensive. Prices vary depending on the neighbour where the dormitory is situated and how far or close it is to Prague’s city centre. Whichever one you choose, it is unlikely to cost less than $4 per day. For those looking to rent an apartment in Prague, monthly rent is unlikely to be below $400 and even if an apartment can be found at a lower price it will probably...
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Signal Festival, organizers have prepared a big surprise for you. After many years, they are returning to their iconic location – náměstí Míru! This year, the facade of St. Ludmila Basilica will be revived by the French pioneering collective AV Extended in collaboration with the Czech music producer Aid Kid. We can’t wait. You can experience the premiere screening the day before the festival on Wednesday 12.10. from 7 to 10 pm. “We will light up the Basilica on the occasion of the celebration of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union within the Light for Europe project,” say the organizers. Starting on Thursday, beat the long wait for the video mapping with an interactive game with Mercedes-Benz. Download the signalmb.cz app, choose your favorite Mercedes car and send it to the facade of the Basilica! Premiere In Vršovice This year, for the first time, Signal will light up Vršovice in four locations. The interactive Cloud by the Canadian duo Brown & Garrett will shine over the Vršovice Chateau. Herold Gardens will be set in motion by Flux, a kinetic installation consisting of rotating propellers that create a graceful choreography directed by the French collective Collectif Scale. The last stop on the Vršovice route will be a spectacular projection by...
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