Morning Briefing │ Thursday, April 18th, 2024

* BUSINESS:

Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský is considering buying out Royal Mail, the British national postal service, Reuters and the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Křetínský’s investment company confirmed to Reuters that it tried to buy International Distributions Services (IDS), Royal Mail’s parent company, earlier this month, but the offer was rejected.

* ECONOMY:

Year-on-year inflation in the European Union decreased from 2.8 percent in February to 2.6 percent in March, while in Czechia, the inflation rate stagnated at 2.2 percent, according to the latest Eurostat data. A year ago the inflation rate was 8.3 percent in the EU and 16.5 percent in Czechia.

* WEATHER:

Thursday is expected to be mostly overcast and rainy, although some parts of the country will see some sunshine. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.

* LOCAL NEWS:

From May 1st, Czech Post is changing the operating hours at its branch on Jindřišská Street in Prague 1. The post office will no longer be open at night and on Sundays, and Saturday opening times will also be adjusted. Customers can visit the branch from Monday to Friday, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* POLITICS:

During his meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House on Monday, US President Joe Biden praised Czechia’s support for Ukraine, especially its efforts to secure ammunition from outside the EU for the invaded country, and stated that he considers it a great ally.