Czech daily news roundup: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022

On Thursday in the northern parts of Moravia and in Silesia, strong winds will return again in gusts of up to 70 km/h and in the mountains around 90 km/h, said the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). The CHMI warning is valid from Thursday morning to midnight for the western half of the Moravian-Silesian Region and the Jesenice Region in the Olomouc Region. Strong winds Wednesday closed the upper section of the cable car to Sněžk.

The Czech Red Cross (CCK) plans further aid to mobile medical teams in Ukraine, a supply of cars, medical tents, and surgical sets requested by the Ukrainian Red Cross, CCK wrote in a press release today, also announcing the launch of a public fundraising campaign in aid of Ukraine. The CCK provides humanitarian aid designated for the ill and wounded in Ukraine since 2014 when Russia supported the pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country and annexed Crimea. In total, the Ukrainians will receive over five tonnes of medical material worth CZK 3.6 million. In the next stage, the CCK wants to provide further support to the mobile medical teams that replace a standard healthcare system in the east of Ukraine.

A rally, attended by an estimated 1,000 people and organized by the Million Moments for Democracy movement and other groups, expressed solidarity with Ukraine and its citizens in the center of Prague Wednesday evening. Activists said Russian President Vladimir Putin was threatening the lives of Ukrainian citizens, pretending that war was a peacekeeping mission. Similar events in support of Ukraine were planned by the movement throughout Czechia.

The hour-long event in Prague's Wenceslas Square saw protesters carrying EU, NATO, and Ukrainian flags. Demonstrators applauded the Ukrainian Ambassador Yevhen Perebyinis who said that the country was trying to be integrated into the European community and did not want to be a totalitarian country. Police estimated the number of the protesters at about 1,000, while Million Moments said there were several thousand.

The first direct train to Vienna's international airport departed from Brno Tuesday. A pair of connections will begin running regularly in the second quarter. The city's administration says it is aiming to add more connections in the future. The train is operated by the private company Gepard Express, which currently connects Brno to Vienna Airport six times a day by minibus. 

The journey by car or bus takes about two hours, the journey by train would be a bit faster. Typically passengers who take a train from Brno must change at Vienna's main railway station. The new journey is roughly 15 minutes shorter with no transfer.

The European Commission has rejected a proposal by the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) to regulate the wholesale mobile data market in the Czech Republic. the Commission has stated on its website that the CTU's analysis failed to prove that the three mobile network operators are acting to restrict competition. The CTU is considering further steps. In recent years, based on an analysis of the mobile data market, the CTU has said that competition in the Czech Republic is limited, which is why service prices are among the highest in Europe. 

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Republic’s Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation (EGAP) to enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the agreement, the state export credit agencies will cooperate in an effort to expand exports globally, and support local firms operating in growth sectors, such as steel and infrastructure, renewable energy, machinery, plastics, and waste management. The partnership also aims to improve halal trade through ECI’s Sharia-compliant finance solutions.

The Czech streaming service for theatrical productions Dramox was launched in October 2020, offering theaters closed down due to coronavirus the opportunity to continue connecting with the audience. As the pandemic weakens, Czech Crunch is reporting that Dramox's activities aren't slowing down. The service entered Ukraine a few days ago and is expanding cooperation with the Czech and foreign scenes, receiving CZK 12 million total for expansion into Eastern Europe. See our full story here.