The Czech Republic´s central bank has again aggressively moved to increase its key interest rate in a continuing effort to tame soaring inflation. The 1 percentage point hike Wednesday to 3.75% was the fifth straight increase since June and was higher than expected by analysts. The bank, which considers high consumer prices a major threat, also had indicated it would raise the rate. Inflation jumped to 6% in November, the highest level in 13 years and well above the bank´s target of 2% target. Banks controlling monetary policy worldwide have started shifting their focus from stimulating the coronavirus-battered economy to combating soaring consumer prices that arrived during the recovery. Last week, the Bank of England became the first in a major advanced economy to raise interest rates since the pandemic began. Others, including the European Central Bank and U.S. Federal Reserve, are moving to exit pandemic-related economic stimulus. In the Czech Republic, the last time the central bank changed its rates was Nov. 4, when it increased the key interest rate by a point and a quarter to 2.75%. It was the first such move under the new government led by conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala, which was sworn in...
On 20 December, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation into the Czech national regulatory authority’s (CTU) draft market analysis with regard to the regulation of the wholesale market for access to mobile services in the Czech Republic. Access and call origination are services which mobile network operators (“MNOs”) supply to themselves and to other mobile network operators or mobile virtual network operators (operators who do not own a network, “MVNOs”) hosted on their networks. Such services can be provided also to other MNOs who have their own network and access rights to spectrum, but their network is still underdeveloped (e.g. due to late market entry, or due to a commercial decision to rely on national roaming in certain areas, rather than deploy its own network). CTU proposes to designate three MNOs (i.e. O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone) as having joint Significant Market Power (“SMP”) in this wholesale mobile market and consequently to impose regulatory obligations on these three operators, that are the main operators in the Czech market. In its serious doubts letter, the Commission does not question as such that the Czech mobile market may not display the characteristics of a fully competitive market. However, the Commission questions the...
Google published its annual “Year in Search”, revealing the top global Google searches by country. To highlight the most significant events and say goodbye to 2020, we collected the top searches in the Czech Republic. Sčítání lidu – the census that took place this year Euro 2021 Bitcoin Registrace očkování (vaccination registration, with several peaks in late February, May and late November) Volby (elections). The most searched Czech person was Milos Zeman, with a sudden peak in mid-October, when the Czech head of state’s hospitalization threw the country into a post-election limbo. Czechs also expressed the most interest in Dominik Feri, the youngest and first black MP in Czech political history who was forced to resign in May following a sexual abuse and harassment scandal. The “How to…” searches are also always full of valuable and surprising lessons to understand what was on the mind of a population. This year, Czechs were particularly keen on knowing more about: Jak dlouho platí antigenní test? (How long is an antigen test valid?) Jak vzniká tornádo? (How is a tornado formed?) – yes, the Czech Republic now has tornadoes, courtesy of 2021. Jak volit? (How to vote?) Jak dlouho trvá karanténa? (How long does the quarantine last?).
The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) and its partners O2 Czech Republic, T-Mobile Czech Republic, Vodafone Czech Republic and CETIN are proud to announce that the deployment of the 4G LTE mobile network is now complete in all 61 stations and 63 km of tunnels that make up Prague’s metro system. 180 Minute Installation Window All work on the installation of the LTE network has had to take place during regular nighttime subway closure times, which last for approximately three hours. However, network installation couldn’t be done every night as priority has to be given to essential reconstruction and repair work to stations and tunnels plus all of the other activities necessary to maintain the full operability of the metro system. To install this special radiating type of coaxial cable, it was first necessary to drill and insert plastic clips into the tunnel walls. These plastic clips are used instead of metal ones in order to eliminate the risk of signal interference. Up to 2,748 Meters between Stations The speed with which the new LTE network can be installed between stations has been highly dependent on the amount (length) of cable that needs to be installed. The shorted section of...
Prague wine supermarket LÁHVE: launched its own online store. Hundreds of quality wines can be delivered to your home or office. The online store is available at this link Customers can find about 600 types of wines for all budgets from France, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. The system allows you to sort them by different parameters. For example, by country of origin, sugar content (dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, etc.), color, year of bottling, and alcohol content. The list includes a wide range of sparkling wines, which is especially important on the eve of the holidays. On the occasion of the opening of LÁHVE: gives a 10% discount on all orders until the end of the year. To get it, you must enter the code PM2021 in a special field in the “Basket” The minimum order amount is 500 CZK. So far, the store delivers only in Prague and only by courier service Liftago. The cost for most parts of the city is 119 CZK. At the start of the new year, other shipping methods will be added, and the coverage area will be expanded.
What will this year’s festive timetables be like in Prague? They will basically not be much different from last year’s. Christmas Eve, 24 December – Prague public transport will operate on a Saturday schedule with the end of the daily schedule at 18:00. From this time on, the metro will start running at extended intervals of 20 minutes. The last trains from the terminal stations will leave as usual at midnight. Trams and buses in the evening and at night (from 18:00 to 07:00) will run at intervals of 30 minutes (except for bus 119). The last departure of the funicular at Petrin will take place at 17:00. December 25 and 26 – All public transport will run on a Sunday schedule. Daytime buses and trams will hit the streets at 07:00 am (route 119 earlier at 04:30). Bus routes 143 and 187 are canceled. December 27-30 – public transport will follow the “vacation” (prázdniny) timetables, which is valid during school holidays. Trams 4 and 21 and the bus 187 will be canceled. Tram 16 will only serve the Kotlářka – Ústřední dílny DP section. December 31 – transport will go on a special “vacation” (prázdniny) schedule. Trams 4 and...
The Loreto bells will play a traditional Christmas melody from December 24 till February 2. It is the first time in over 120 years. The melody – which is a closely guarded secret – will sound every hour from 10:00 to 17:00 daily. The Christmas carol was last heard at the end of the 19th century when the melodies in the mechanism changed regularly. It was designed so as to allow a change of melody fairly easily. History The Loreto (Loreta) was built during the 17th century (1626) at the order of Katerina of Lobkowicz, in the times of Ferdinand II, as part of the Catholic campaign to attract the Czechs back to Catholicism. Its construction followed the battle of the White Mountain, where the Czech Protestants were defected and the Catholics retook control over Prague. Its impressive Baroque Bell Tower was given to the Loreto by the rich merchant from the Lesser Town, Eberhard von Glauchau. The author of all twenty-seven signed playing bells (only one was damaged in the 18th century and replaced) was the Amsterdam town bell-founder Claude Fremy, who made them between 1683-91. The consecration of the bells in the Loreto in 1695 before they were set...
Where can you find a rainbow coffee in Prague, meet the most handsome men and find steamy gay parties? Everyday life in Prague is fascinating with people hurrying by or just walking around. The endless lines of traffic, calmly flowing Vltava River and street artists, all are a part of Prague. If you want to take a break from exploring Prague, grab something to eat or enjoy the nightlife, here are some gay-friendly tips for cafés, gay bars and gay clubs. Celebrity Café Vinohradská 40, Praha 2 – Vinohrady Located on the famous gay street in Prague, Vinohradská Avenue. The lower level features a unique interior. They offer fantastic home-made lemonade. Due to its location, this café is ideal to kick off a long night of clubbing. Friends Club Bartolomějská 11, Praha 1 – Staré Město The Friends Club welcomes men and women. They hold theme parties, karaoke and transvestite shows. Their young, handsome bartenders mix both light and strong cocktails. It is located in Bartolomějská street. TerMax Club Vinohradská 1789, Praha 2 – Vinohrady This recently opened gay club is located on the lower level of the former famous Valentino Club on Vinohradská Street. It is focused mostly on fans of...
It was mentioned that the standard contracted volume of gas of around 80-90 mln cubic meters per day is delivered to Slovakia via Ukraine. Russian gas is being supplied to Slovakia in full as stipulated by bilateral contracts, a source in the directorate of the Slovakian gas transport system operator Eustream told TASS on Tuesday. A similar statement regarding his country was made by Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Vaclav Bartuska. “The standard contracted volume of gas of around 80-90 mln cubic meters per day is delivered to Slovakia via Ukraine,” Eustream said. Meanwhile, when providing comments to reporters on the halt of Russian gas being pumped to Germany through the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline, Bartuska stressed that Russia did not restrict its supplies to EU countries, adding that there is no threat of disrupted gas deliveries, including to the Czech Republic. “Russia’s redistribution of gas transportation does not concern us [Czech Republic],” he said, adding that the Russian gas currently flows via the Nord Stream gas pipeline commissioned a decade ago. On Monday Gazprom again did not book pumping capacities for natural gas transit through Poland via the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline...
A report into the levels of actual individual consumption (AIC) in the European Union — used as a measure of material prosperity of households — showed significant differences across EU member states in 2020. According to Eurostat, the member state with the highest AIC index per capita last year was Luxembourg with a score 45 percent above the EU average. Germany followed in second at 24 percent above the average with Denmark, the Netherlands and Austria making up the top five with scores 22 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent above the bloc’s average respectively. In total, nine EU member states had an AIC index higher than the EU average. The lowest score was recorded in Bulgaria, languishing 39 percent below the EU average. Other countries that performed poorly included Croatia (32 percent below), Hungary and Latvia both at 30 percent below average, and Slovakia at 29 percent below average. Poland also found itself among the countries with an AIC per capita lower than the EU average, at 17 percent below the average. Within the last three years, the AIC per capita compared to the EU average has changed in the majority of member states. Clear growth was recorded in Romania, where the index increased up to...
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 Constitutional upheld a partial ban on the use of Segways in different parts of Prague, local media reported. Over 600 road signs were later put up that same year across Prague to indicate the zones and districts where Segways are banned. In an interview with CNN Prima News, Milos Zeman backed said that former Prime Minister Babis would make a good candidate for Czech President in 2023. The Czech Army is due to receive new machine guns at a value of up to CZK 1.12 billion after the Ministry of Defence completed a framework deal to buy them on Tuesday. The current lord mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, is to run again for the post in local elections in the second half of 2022. Karolina Muchova, a semi-finalist at the 2021 Australian Open, has withdrawn from next year’s tournament, the Czech world number 32 said in a statement on Tuesday.
Celebrating Christmas in the Czech Republic? You might be curious to learn about some of the unusual Czech Christmas traditions and superstitions! Here is the list of 7 known and rather weird traditions, customs, and superstitions. Foretelling the future Common foods and items are used on Christmas Eve day to foretell your fortune for the coming year. For example, an old tradition says an unmarried girl should throw a shoe over her shoulder. If the shoe falls pointing towards a nearby door, marriage is on the cards for the coming year. Another way to foretell whether your coming year will be lucky or unlucky is to cut an apple in half. You take an apple and cut it lengthwise, which means, not the usual way. In the middle, you see a symbol. If you’re going to be healthy next year, you will see a star. If some health issues may occur to you, there’d be a symbol of a cross or of, how Czechs call it, “červíček”, “a little worm”. Presents are opened on the 24th Since Baby Jesus usually delivers gifts while you’re still eating dinner, part of the fun on the 24th is trying to keep the kids from...
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