The Security Information Service (BIS) of the Czech Republic exposed a former Foreign Ministry employee, who allegedly handed over classified information to the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of Russia, Mlada Fronta Dnes reported Thursday. According to the report, the suspect, a long-time Foreign Ministry employee, was under counter-intelligence surveillance for several years. The publication said that while working at the embassy of one of the African countries, the Czech diplomat met a Russian couple, of whom the man was an employee of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Then the relationship between them turned into full-fledged cooperation – the Russian intelligence officer demanded information from his informant, including classified information. At the same time, the law in force in the Czech Republic does not allow the use of intelligence data in court, so the sources interviewed by the publication could not answer the question of whether the former employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is facing criminal prosecution. Prime Minister Fiala praised BIS, who had surveilled the man for years, for uncovering his activities. One source told Deník N that the Russian spy agency had capitalised on the man’s “weakness for women and money”.
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. An employee of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with Russia’s civilian intelligence agency the SVR, handing over classified information to them, the Deník N news site reported on Thursday, referring to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský and the Czech BIS intelligence service. The Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, and the minister of defence, Jana Černochová, say that the government aims to reach spending of 2 percent of GDP on defence in 2024, instead of the original target date of 2025. Another delegation of Czech senators and senior ministerial officials is going to Taiwan to continue with cooperation in epidemiology and cyber security, education and research and development of semi-conductors in the days to come, Senate press secretary Lada Faldynova told journalists today. Some 66,000 Ukrainian refugees are enrolled at Czech schools at present, 10,000 of whom have not entered the teaching process, Deputy Education Minister for Instruction Jan Mares said today. Mostly, around 51,000 Ukrainians, have enrolled at elementary schools. The ministry will have exact data after...
Yesterday, September 13, the first stone was laid, which served as the beginning of the construction of a new bridge across the Vltava, which will connect the Zlíchov and Dvorce districts (Prague 4 and 5), and relieve traffic on other bridges. Dvorecký most will be built for public transport, pedestrians, motorcyclists and rescue vehicles. “Trams will run on it, but it is too early to talk about the number of lines. Buses should also use it, which can significantly relieve the pressure on Barrandovský most, where bus traffic had relatively big problems in the past due to the density of car traffic,” says DPP CEO Petr Witowski. The bridge will be 388 meters long and 16 meters wide. Under the bridge, on both banks, there will be a recreation area and a cafe where local residents can spend their leisure time. The design of the project was developed by the Czech architectural firms Tubes and Atelier 6, and the construction will be carried out by the winning companies Metrostav TBR, Strabag and Firesta-Fišer. The value of the contract is CZK 1.075 billion. “The Dvorecký Bridge will be of great importance for tram transport as it will allow the interconnection of Prague 4 and...
For a year now, a unique project Some Like It Czech from Prague’s Aero cinema has been showing to expats and Erasmus students Czech culture through Czech movies. Thanks to the wonderful turnout that happened with each screening, the organizers decided to continue in their educational but entertaining mission. The screening series Some Like It Czech was founded by two students Anna Šenfeldová and Šárka Bekrová, with the aim of introducing Czech culture and history to foreigners living in the vicinity of Prague. “After our first year of screenings, we have found that conveying Czech culture through film is something that both we and audience members have enjoyed, as evidenced by the wonderful turnout that happens with each screening.” In the upcoming season, audience can look forward to popular hits like the Christmas classic “Cozy Dens,” and cult films by Oscar-winning directors Miloš Forman and Jan Svěrák. Before each screening, there is always a short introduction, which explains the various realities of the movie in an entertaining way without spoiling it. “It took us a while to find the right form of introduction, but I think we finally honed it to perfection,” says co-founder Anna. After all, the authors of the...
The Czech government plans to provide 60 billion crowns in aid to companies hit by soaring energy prices, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Wednesday. The Czech Republic, like other European Union nations, is grappling with soaring energy prices following a sharp reduction in natural gas flows from Russia amid Western sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. The package adds to a cap on power prices for households and the public sector announced on Monday. The Czech 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, Fiala told reporters. Aid schemes in EU countries need to be aligned with a bloc-wide agreement expected to be based on a proposal by the Commission, which is seeking more than $140 billion from energy firms to help shield households and businesses from soaring prices. Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said the government would, on top of EU plans for a windfall levy on companies in the fossil fuels sector, also aim for a windfall tax on some banks, as well as electricity producers and traders. “The firms will receive...
Archaeologists are investigating a puzzling 7,000-year-old circular structure discovered in Vinoř, an area on the outskirts of Prague. The purpose of the ancient Neolithic structures is still unclear, but scientists hope further studies will shed more light on why the monumental buildings were constructed and who and by whom they were used. Despite being older than the Egyptian pyramids or England’s Stonehenge, these intriguing ancient structures are still extremely well-preserved. Few people know about Central Europe’s ‘roundels’, but these Neolithic circular enclosures have secrets to reveal. “The so-called roundels are the oldest evidence of architecture in the whole of Europe. They are a series of circular ditches and they are always arranged in a circle with two, three, four or more entrances to the center, four being the most common. The circular ditches usually number between one and three, or very rarely four. The whole structure reaches an average of between 30 to 240 meters, but you most commonly find them in the range of 60 – 80 meters. Perhaps I should emphasize that these ditches are usually around one and a half meters wide, but we know of ditches up to fourteen meters wide and six meters deep,” said...
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 EU presidency will be cooperating with the EC on the lowering of energy prices, including the revisions of the electricity market, PM Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats, ODS) has written on Twitter in reaction to the speech of EC head Ursula von der Leyen. He also supports the continuation of the general support to Ukraine, he wrote. The state may generate from 650 million to 1.8 billion crowns in taxes a year if the use of cannabis were legalised, the junior government Pirates told media today. The study proposes more alternatives of how to regulate the marijuana market, including the compulsory registration of users. Next week, the Pirates want to submit it to their government partners. The new clothing bank opened its first shop in Prague today, said Dana Pavlousková, from the organising Club of single mothers. The clothing bank plans to cooperate with food banks and bigger nonprofit organisations for people in need. She said the new clothing bank will be for all groups of inhabitants who need it, not only for...
Oscar-nominated actor John Malkovich will present the world premiere of his latest show, The Infamous Ramirez Hoffman on November 11 at Prague’s Congress Centre. The Infamous Ramirez Hoffman is based on the work of Chilean author Roberto Bolaño. The title of the play is taken from the final chapter of Bolaño’s 1996 novel Nazi Literature in the Americas, which was expanded upon in the novella Distant Star. The book is a story about an artist who cares only about aesthetics rather than ethics. The Infamous Ramirez Hoffman will be staged in English, likely with Czech supertitles. Tickets for the performance are available for purchase on Ticketportal, and run from CZK 1490-2990. About John Malkovich John Gavin Malkovich is an American actor and producer best known for his performance in movies, such as ‘Places in the Heart’ and ‘In the Line of Fire’ for which he received ‘Academy Award’ nominations. He has enjoyed a long and productive career spanning four decades in Hollywood. Starting out as an actor, he eventually made it big as a producer too. A love for performing arts was something he was born with, though neither of his parents was from show business. He displayed a keen...
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. Czechia supports the accession of Montenegro to the European Union, President Milos Zeman said after his meeting with Montenegrin President Milo Dukanovic on Tuesday. “I believe that Montenegro will be a full-fledged member of the EU in the very near future and that, like the other member states, it will also meet the conditions,” Zeman said. Czech customs and police officers recently detained a ten-member gang suspected of trafficking in drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine. The gang was led by a Czech national who operated on the drug scene for over ten years and was punished for drug trafficking in Slovakia in the past. Daniel Makay, a Freedom and Direct Democracy (junior opposition SPD) representative of the small town of Bruntal, must pay 45,000 crowns or approving of the Russian attack against Ukraine on Facebook in February. Makay appealed against the verdict on the spot. Equa bank announced that, after 10 years on the Czech market, its merger with Raiffeisenbank will take place on 14 November. The bank assured its clients that...
We’ve provided you with a list of Prague’s top 3 most intriguing activities for foreigners. These are suggestions for unusual experiences to be had with a group of friends or coworkers rather than the typical karaoke or wine-tasting suggestions. Join the Nightwatchman of Prague Not the usual day light touristic tour but a tour for those who live in Prague but want to learn about the “the roots” of the city. Enter the town of Prague in the 17th century with the Nightwatchman. You’ll see Prague as you have never seen it before. Discover the city’s splendor after the tourist crowds are gone and the watchman is left to keep watch with his light and halberd. Follow in the footsteps of the aristocrats, commoners, and fascinating characters who shaped history. From the old Powder Gate, a historical tour proceeds through a picturesque older neighborhood and a city that has been ravaged by war and epidemic until it reaches the Vltava River and the Charles Bridge. A journey through time’s history to bring the past to life (450 CZK per person). Bookings here Book a Casino workshop at Ambassador Casino A workshop (worth 2000 CZK, 6 persons) full of information, inspiration...
Two benches with LED lamps and climbing plants have already been installed in Prague 6 (Dejvická and Hradčanská stops). Such lamp benches will help green the city, illuminate it, save electricity and become a place of rest for local residents. Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore are an engineering marvel. They are equipped with solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems that are used for irrigation. The trunks are vertical gardens, and at the top of the trees, you can dine in a restaurant. Singapore’s Supertrees inspired Prague authorities to create the first green lamps in the city. The production of two five-meter structures cost about half a million crowns. The lamps will be tested for three years. “The Czech University of Agriculture asked us if it would be possible to test this lamp in an urban environment. Moreover, we already have several strategic projects regarding how the city should respond to future climate change, and one of these topics is greening,” says Ondřej Kolář, Mayor of Prague 6. “This supertree is also unique in the fact that it is inspired by foreign countries, namely Singapore, where there are illuminated lamps resembling a tree,” added deputy chairman Tomáš Novotný....
The Czech government in an emergency meeting on Monday approved measures to limit the price of electricity and gas for households, small and medium-sized enterprises and public institutions. This was announced to journalists by Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The price cap is being introduced to compensate consumers for the sharp rise in energy costs across Europe. The maximum price of 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity for households is limited to 6 koruna, gas prices will be limited to 3 koruna. The measures will affect households, small and medium-sized enterprises, hospitals, clinics, local authorities, schools, nursing homes and other public institutions of public importance. Czech authorities expect that curbing energy prices will lead to a hold on inflation in the republic, which stood at 17.2% year-on-year in August. In the coming years, the Cabinet of Ministers will closely monitor the situation on the energy market and periodically adjust prices, taking into account the interests of national consumers. The government is also discussing options to compensate large high-net-worth Czech companies and industrial enterprises for lost profits due to rising energy costs. This issue will be tabled at the next cabinet meeting on September 14. According to the prime minister, the measures announced by the government on September 9 to limit electricity and gas prices must be supported by the Czech parliament. Fiala...
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