https://www.radio.cz/en All the Latest Articles in English en Sat, 03 Oct 2020 19:13:38 +0200 Sat, 03 Oct 2020 19:13:38 +0200 https://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Radio Prague CMS   https://www.radio.cz/en      https://www.radio.cz/assets/imgs/rss/logo_rss_1500.jpg   1500   1500 Radio Prague International Radio Prague International radio.prague.int@gmail.com clean 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Radio Broadcasting cr@radio.cz (Cesky Rozhlas) webmaster@radio.cz (CRo Webmaster) https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/czech-pms-ano-party-wins-10-of-13-regional-elections-amidst-covid-19-uptick Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO party, as expected, has won the regional assembly elections that ended on Saturday afternoon, capturing over 22 percent of the vote overall and placing first in 10 of 13 contests, according to unofficial results. A third of the seats in the Senate, 27 in total, were also being contested; most will be decided by a second (run-off) round of voting next weekend. Sat, 03 Oct 2020 19:13:38 +0200 urn:uuid:cd1738d3-258f-5a1b-8668-5a3473609885 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/over-czk-1-billion-approved-for-covid-rent-funding-programme More than CZK 1 billion worth of state rent subsidies have been approved since the government’s COVID rent programme was launched three months ago. In total 17,290 applications for rent relief, worth a total of CZK 2.4 billion, have been sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Czech News Agency reported on Monday. The amount of funds allocated to the programme, which is set to close for applications next week, was CZK 5 billion. Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:45:39 +0200 urn:uuid:075d0bdc-bd5b-54fb-9b35-6dd9ed4d9d9d https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/hometown-of-olympic-gold-medallist-emil-zatopek-to-immortalize-him-in-bronze The northern Moravian town of Kopřivnice this weekend officially launched a public collection to fund a statue of favourite son Emil Zátopek – arguably the greatest distance runner in history – in time for the 100th anniversary of his birth next September. Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:22:46 +0200 urn:uuid:019e2474-daa3-5cc0-a410-79d430339f50 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/the-diamond-encrusted-prague-sun-at-loreto One of the city’s famous landmarks is Loreto, a Marian pilgrimage site not far from Prague Castle, with a Baroque Church of the Nativity and a replica of the Holy House surrounded by cloisters and chapels. It is best known for its Baroque carillon and the Loreto treasure with its diamond-encrusted monstrance aptly called the “Prague Sun”. Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:01:13 +0200 urn:uuid:1929a4ca-249c-56d4-a66c-aabd0fc8cc16 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/schools-to-open-in-czech-republic-amid-surge-in-coronavirus-cases Despite the recent surge in the number of new Covid-19 cases, the new school year is due to begin in the Czech Republic on the usual date, September 1. Schools around the country will be reopening on Tuesday after several months of distance learning following the first coronavirus outbreak in March. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 14:22:32 +0200 urn:uuid:fe824906-2e66-58a3-9fed-b42605c3de95 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/we-broke-the-curse-of-the-pharaohs-national-museum-opens-major-exhibit-on-ancient-egypt The National Museum in Prague opened perhaps its most significant exhibition yet on Sunday. Under the title “Kings of the Sun” it depicts the age of the pyramid builders in Ancient Egypt and features a priceless collection of nearly 300 never-before-seen objects, 90 of which have left Egypt for the first time. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 14:00:25 +0200 urn:uuid:f306ab6d-5e54-5115-a771-da2aa3418d26 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/the-accidental-diplomat-dom-joly-on-his-magical-year-in-early-90s-prague Today a successful travel writer, Dom Joly is perhaps best known for the hidden camera comedy show Trigger Happy TV, an enormous hit in the early 2000s. But a decade or so before that he spent an eventful year here in Prague, working as a diplomat with the European Commission when Czechoslovakia was going through a period of major change in the early 1990s. Joly discussed his time in the city, an experience he clearly looks back on with true fondness, in a Skype interview from his home in the UK. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:37:07 +0200 urn:uuid:cd882a6c-c9ae-5aff-8dce-19e4e41195dc https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/political-dissent-in-czech-animation-from-jiri-trnkas-cybernetic-grandma-to-jan-svankmajers-greedy-guts-and-beyond Adam Whybray, a lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Suffolk, has just published a comprehensive English-language account of the history of Czech animation, from the 1920s to the present. As the book’s title would suggest – The Art of Czech Animation: A History of Political Dissent and Allegory – he takes a keen interest not just in the craft but in the oft hidden, ambiguous or subversive messages therein. Sat, 29 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200 urn:uuid:bc3ae286-d484-51d4-b272-5d39b1796f6f https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/czech-senate-business-delegation-heading-to-taiwan-despite-chinese-objections Senate chairman and speaker Miloš Vystrčil is headed to Taiwan, along with a nearly 100-member delegation of businessmen, academics and seven fellow members of the upper house of parliament. The week-long visit starting Saturday seeks to strengthen bilateral ties and trade, in the face of fierce protest from China – and sharp criticism from some Czech officials. Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:21:11 +0200 urn:uuid:5c6a8990-7c65-54ce-b937-6b8f23262438 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/marketa-krizova-native-americans-and-inuits-commemorated-the-death-of-john-hus Colonial history has increasingly coming into the spotlight over the past years. The Czechs of course didn’t colonise any other countries – but that doesn’t mean they had no involvement at all in this controversial episode in European history. Charles University historian Markéta Křížová, an expert pre-Colombian civilisations and American colonial history, has done a lot research into Czechs and colonialism. In part one of this two-part interview with Professor Křížová, the focus is on the activities of Czech adventurers and missionaries during the early days of colonial settlement. Fri, 28 Aug 2020 14:00:25 +0200 urn:uuid:54b58f52-c9c5-5c39-96d2-be5d4f157ae9 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/volunteers-tend-to-historic-long-neglected-jewish-cemetery-in-bohemia Honouring the dead and caring for burial grounds is among the highest mitzvahs – religious duties or good deeds – that an observant Jew can perform, as it is a service for someone who can never return the kindness. With few members of the once thriving Jewish communities of Bohemia and Moravia left to tend to the cemeteries, local volunteers often step in to help. Thu, 27 Aug 2020 14:21:34 +0200 urn:uuid:7d658394-44e9-5a81-ad25-f50a2f44d003 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/work-to-begin-on-memorial-to-josef-masin-and-three-resistances Work is set to begin on a memorial to WWII resistance hero Josef Mašín and what are known as Czechoslovakia’s “three resistances”. It will be located at the farm that was home to the Mašíns, a family who left their mark on the country’s modern history. Thu, 27 Aug 2020 14:01:36 +0200 urn:uuid:219eb378-77af-5202-9b6e-4146b2cf0771 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/col-zuzana-krocova-first-woman-to-lead-defence-university-due-to-become-second-female-general-in-czech-history Colonel Zuzana Kročová this month became the first woman ever to lead the University of Defence, a branch the Czech Armed Forces that offers a wide range of advanced degrees. The freshly minted university rector will also soon officially become the second female General in Czech history. Wed, 26 Aug 2020 13:35:35 +0200 urn:uuid:b7742f29-3383-53b8-b26e-b7c392f0fca2 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/biotechnology-firm-aims-to-produce-covid-19-vaccine-near-prague US company Novavax is developing a vaccine against Covid-19 at a plant near Prague. The vaccine is set to go into trial production in October ahead of full production next year – and should be tried out on Czech volunteers in the final test phase. Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:00:22 +0200 urn:uuid:bee97e85-daa0-522c-8682-ab0e8b3b76ae https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/czechoslovak-legionarys-diary-depicts-first-world-war-through-unique-illustrations A unique diary belonging to a Czechoslovak legionary named František Krejčí was recently discovered and published by his ancestors. Filled with accomplished images, drawn by Krejčí himself, the diary provides a fascinating portrayal of a soldier’s experiences on the Eastern Front. Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:41:49 +0200 urn:uuid:313cbd20-0416-502f-a9a6-cd99403cce94 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/czech-government-approves-special-fund-to-help-victims-of-pro-democracy-protests-in-belorussia The Czech government has approved the creation of a special fund to help independent Belarusian media and people persecuted or injured in the ongoing mass protests against the Lukashenko regime. Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček said 10 million crowns will be set aside to support Belarussian civil society in its time of need. Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:36:08 +0200 urn:uuid:d1d355e0-49ae-5045-a83a-b4d4b6d950d8 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/its-a-gateway-to-cis-markets-czech-companies-closely-following-situation-in-belarus As protests in Belarus against President Lukashenko’s regime continue, the situation is being closely followed by more than a hundred Czech companies that do business in the Eastern European state. Some see it as a risk, but also an opportunity. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:37:48 +0200 urn:uuid:79080e8f-6330-5bc1-91c7-d354822d298c https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/vera-jourova-i-dont-want-to-regulate-online-content-i-just-want-more-transparency As the European Commission’s vice-president for transparency and values, Věra Jourová’s work is focused on a number of important areas. These include ensuring member states respect the rules of the European Union, combatting online disinformation and advocating for transparency in election campaign advertising. When I spoke to the Czech Republic’s member of the European Commission, the conversation touched on everything from whether social networks like Facebook should fact-check political speech to the closing of European borders when the coronavirus hit the continent. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:06:45 +0200 urn:uuid:8f379de3-2369-5226-b13e-6eae821b97c2 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/government-to-extend-support-scheme-for-firms The Czech government is likely to extend a programme aimed at supporting companies hit by the coronavirus crisis either by two months or until the end of the year, the minister of labour and social affairs, Jana Maláčová, said on a TV debate show on Sunday. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:50:38 +0200 urn:uuid:bf6ba479-bff1-5dfc-bb76-6f4dd85f09c3 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/e-bike-tuning-increasingly-widespread-despite-risk-of-heavy-fines Bikes and especially electric bikes have become increasingly popular during the coronavirus crisis. And as Czechs rediscover the long-forgotten joys of childhood, many are opting to unlock the speed limit on their e-bike despite the risk of heavy fines. Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:29:16 +0200 urn:uuid:99fcd569-eb6c-5b8c-9ec3-dc20e8537f01 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/lenka-nova-releases-new-album-based-on-real-life-letters The charismatic singer Lenka Nová has recently released her fourth solo LP called Dopisy or Letters. The album is based on real-life letters, which she collected from her fans and transformed into song lyrics. Lenka Nová’s velvety alto voice is accompanied by a group of renowned musicians, including pianist Petr Malásek and guitarist Josef Štěpánek. Sun, 23 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200 urn:uuid:f69c9cba-2f55-5ff0-b3d1-d87d6370b6f7 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/czechoslovak-exile-scouting-the-movement-that-binds-many-emigres-beyond-the-cold-war Once a sizeable organisation that stretched across many Western European countries, Czechoslovak Exile Scouting is a relatively little known phenomenon today. However, for many of Czech émigrés it remains the source of some of their most beautiful memories. It was a way of bringing Czechs who had escaped the Communist regime together and maintaining the country’s unique scout identity. Even today, offshoots of the organisation remain valuable tools for keeping the knowledge of Czech language and culture among the second and third generation of émigré children. Sat, 22 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200 urn:uuid:2edf7ac6-ea56-5bd6-8664-06164f1a758e https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/opposition-slams-govt-after-swift-scale-back-of-fresh-mask-rules At the start of the week the government announced compulsory facemasks would be returning to schools, shops and many other places in the Czech Republicfrom September 1. On Thursday, however, it made an abrupt about-turn on some of those requirements, leaving the opposition accusing the cabinet of incompetence. Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:29:31 +0200 urn:uuid:398ae2b0-75db-5c12-bdf6-87abd3c802b4 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/against-charles-bridge-backdrop-democrats-abroad-announce-tally-for-joe-biden-bernie-sanders If you know Prague well and tuned in for the second night of the ongoing Democratic National Convention, when Joe Biden officially became the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, you may have noticed an ancient Czech landmark during the virtual “roll call” – the Charles Bridge. Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:35:51 +0200 urn:uuid:9fa77031-8670-5b02-bff3-e7b1bb61de52 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/its-more-or-less-like-returning-to-caves-says-designer-of-pragues-first-3d-printed-house The first prototype of a 3D printed house in Prague has been unveiled this week on the island Střelecký Ostrov. Named Prvok (Protozoa), the 43 m2 property will likely cost between CZK 3.5 and 4 million, its creators say. I spoke to sculptor and author of the project Michal Trpák and began by asking him how much artistic leeway 3D printing allows a designer. Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:26:22 +0200 urn:uuid:19c3fa11-8ac7-5eea-9019-ef2ad01f34d9 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/cross-border-project-aims-to-restore-wetlands-in-sumava-and-bavarian-forest A conservation project aiming to restore some 2,000 hectares of degraded moors and wetlands is currently underway in the Šumava mountains in southern Bohemia. The five-year project, called Life for Mires, is also taking place on the German side of the mountains, in the Bavarian Forest National Park. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:48:32 +0200 urn:uuid:76ca65c7-6e61-5f63-aa29-43b0084280b0 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/back-to-summer-journalism-school-czech-students-learn-reporting-writing-basics-in-midst-of-global-pandemic Most Czech high schools and universities are set to open in September, under strict hygienic rules due to fear of an uptick in coronavirus cases. But a number of such students are already in class – taking part the annual Summer Journalism School in Havlíčkův Brod, now in its sixteenth year – and even reporting on the pandemic. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:31:38 +0200 urn:uuid:79d65335-83b8-5c8b-b93e-3e4740b98358 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/a-mans-home-is-his-castle-for-czech-cultural-activist-ondrej-kobza-its-pirkstejn-of-kingdom-come-deliverance-fame Prague café owner and ‘cultural activist’ Ondřej Kobza is the brains behind a bevy of cultural projects that have sprung up in recent years. He began by installing pianos outdoors, encouraging passers-by to tickle the ivories. He then fashioned old school desks into public chess tables and placed “poetry jukeboxes” on squares that literally pipe out verses, voiced by the likes of Jaroslav Seifert. While his latest project – opening the rooftop terraces of the Lucerna Palace built by Václav Havel’s grandfather a century ago – is making headlines, Ondřej Kobza has also been managing an ancient castle well off the beaten track. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:33:39 +0200 urn:uuid:bf1b83f3-05a1-55e2-b939-b9cbfc574885 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/sazka-group-looking-to-run-britains-national-lottery-writes-ihnedcz Czech lottery company Sazka Group is trying to become the new operator of Britain’s National Lottery, news site iHNed.cz writes. If successful, it would allow businessman Karel Komárek, who controls Sazka via his investment group KKCG, to create the largest lottery holding in Europe, news site iHNed.cz writes. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:50:58 +0200 urn:uuid:d0c4b183-894e-5a34-a8b9-efe6fa2db258 https://www.radio.cz/en/section/article/sales-of-prosecco-soaring-in-czech-republic Czech consumers are growing increasingly fond of Prosecco, the world-famous sparkling wine produced in Italy. More than 5.5 million bottles of Prosecco were sold in the Czech Republic in 2019, which is an increase by 26 percent on the previous year, according to the newly released data by DOC Consortium Valori Italia. Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:28:10 +0200 urn:uuid:696bf41f-4691-5f17-88e9-10735e74c7a6