Morning News: Friday, January 20, 2023

Czech households and businesses consumed one-fifth less natural gas last year than in 2021. After recalculating for the weather, consumption was about 15 percent lower. This is based on preliminary data from the Energy Regulatory Office.

Due to the huge amount of public interest, Prague Castle has extended the exhibition of the Bohemian crown jewels in St. Vitus Cathedral until next Tuesday. The exhibition, which opened to the public on Tuesday, was originally supposed to end on Saturday.

French authorities are still investigating presidential candidate and former prime minister Andrej Babiš on suspicion of money laundering and tax evasion, Czech daily Hospodářské noviny reported on Thursday.

Filharmonie Brno is returning to the United States for the first time in 50 years. In February, the orchestra will perform seven concerts in seven US venues, kicking off the tour at Carnegie Hall with the New York premiere of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 12, “Lodger”, in the presence of the composer himself.

Czech players Karolína Plíšková, Linda Fruhvirtová and Markéta Vondroušová have advanced to the third round of tennis’s Australian Open in Melbourne. Plíšková, who is seeded 30th, overcame Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-0 7-5 on Thursday.