Posts

Cross-European Energy Shifts

Human progress has always gone hand in hand with our energy development. However, it is nowadays unequivocally considered that our energy development and particularly our energy consumption is gradually leading more and more to the phenomenon...

The end of an era for credit and debit cards

If you prefer to pay in stores by swiping the magnetic strip of your bank card through the machine, you will probably have to find a new way to pay pretty soon. One of the main producers of credit and debit cards, Mastercard, is planning to...

Learning from home was less effective

Before the new academic year managed to start, the Czech School Inspection released a report, focusing on the last year. That year of education was considerably affected by the pandemic, which forced students in and out of schools, while many...

Decentralized energy supply systems of the EU

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES[1]) from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, the Balkans and around the world. Mak A. Bajrektarevic of the Vienna University of Economics...

Most expensive holidays in history

According to economist Štěpán Křeček, this year’s holidays will very likely be the most expensive ones in history for Czech families. Inflation is high, Chinese ports are on the verge of collapse, and shops are increasing their margins. Those...

Rohlík.cz in Germany

Together with the delivery of cooked meals, the industry of delivering separate ingredients for customers to cook themselves has grown massively throughout the last 17 months. Supermarkets were, are and probably will be considered one of the...

As Tourists Return, Prague Workers Struggle

Independent workers who rely on the tourism industry in Prague, like driver Valey, are struggling to recoup economic losses suffered during the pandemic, even as travellers slowly return to the city. The father of two chauffeurs visitors around...

The hidden gem in the heart of Prague: the...

In 1912 Czech Art Nouveau and cubist architect Emil Kralíček designed the Cubist Lantern during the rebuilding of Adam’s Pharmacy, whose facade overlooks Wenceslas Square. The one of a kind street-lamp is hidden on the secluded corner of...

Drastic changes in weather caused by…us?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization associated with the countries of the United Nations, just released a report that confirms that human actions are major contributors to climate change. Although it was only...

Long Covid, and what now? A spa, or hemp...

Have you or one of your loved ones suffered from Covid, and still don’t feel well? And, apart from a statement from doctors or those around you that you’re suffering form so-called “long Covid“, you haven’t received any care? Then read on. In...

5 Smart Steps You can Take to Improve Your...

The past year has been a difficult one for many small businesses around the world, but the effects of the COVID-19 crises have been felt by companies of all sizes. Business leaders have been hard at work throughout 2020 and 2021 to stabilize...

Czech scientists develop ‘drones with...

Fights and injuries occurring inside large groups of people could soon be easier to detect, thanks to a new Czech-developed crowd surveillance system that analyses drone footage via the use of neural networks. The innovative new system was...

Europe is entrapped

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, Balkans and also around the world. General Blagoje Grahovac is member of the IFIMES Advisory Board...

IFIMES Analysis of China’s “Belt and...

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, Balkans and around the world. Dr Maria Smotrytska is research fellow at IFIMES/DeSSA, a senior...

7 Places to Celebrate a Big Birthday...

No matter your age or stage of life, every birthday can be celebrated with a big trip. Some exciting destinations are perfect for visiting in your 20s, like backpacking through Southeast Asia or road tripping the Pacific Coast Highway. Others...

Prague’s Liechtenstein Palace opens to the...

On 7-8 August, you can take part in guided tours and marvel at the palace’s interiors This weekend, residents and tourists in Czechia will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful buildings in Prague: the Liechtenstein Palace...

First UNESCO natural site in Czechia

“Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians & Other Regions of Europe”. This is the latest addition to the UNESCO natural world heritage locations list. One of the locations covered with this umbrella-term inscription lies...

Past century revisited

It is 100 years since we were supposedly getting over the war to end all wars, World War I, and forming the League of Nations with the purpose of preventing such a conflict and slaughter happening again. Regrettably, the only good that came out...

25 Things You Should Do Before Boarding a...

Air travel can be stressful, so we’ve rounded up 25 things you should do before your next flight so you can relax. Between making sure your suitcase isn’t an ounce over 50 pounds and rushing to your gate before the doors close, air...

The tool you need to have to know about the...

Lately, some would even go as far as to suggest that there is an overflow of statistics and data about Covid-19, but thanks to the Mobilní Rozhlas tool, it is now possible to find specific data about any location in the country. Thanks to the...

What have we learnt in the past century?

It is 100 years since we were supposedly getting over the war to end all wars, World War I, and forming the League of Nations with the purpose of preventing such a conflict and slaughter happening again. Regrettably, the only good that came out...

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE CREWMEMBER ON SpaceX´s...

As you might have heard already Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is looking for eight crewmembers for a mission to the moon. Maezawa, a controversial entrepreneur, announced in March 2021 that his dearMoon project, which aims to fly the...

Afghanistan: No Peace without a Clear Vision

Peace is the absence of war, while war is the absence of peace! A negotiated peace in Afghanistan presents a number of challenges. The duration of the war over several decades has created a number of situations, that requires an in-depth...

Future Railway station in Brno

A new railway station in Brno has already been one of the city’s priorities for a long time. Now, the architectural plans for the building have been selected and their visualisations were shared. The company selected for the job is Benthem...

The Fair Work initiative

The Czech Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Jana Maláčová has personally visited a factory near Teplice. She also invited Matěj Stopnický, a member of a government coalition party to tag along during the visit. This visit took place as a...

Norwegian perspectives on Democracy and...

On May 25th, as part of the Geneva Lecture Series concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, a large number of international affairs specialists, faculty fellows, practitioners and diplomats gathered for a special session devoted...

Life without carbon emissions

The EU is trying to make Europe the first ‘carbon neutral continent’ since the industrial revolution. It is way ahead of the competition with the regulations already in place. USA, China and other world’s economies are apparently way behind us...

Czech Republic Records Seventh Fastest...

Increasing House Prices and Rents in the EU. Credit: Eurostat. According to Eurostat, house prices in the Czech Republic have risen over 70% between 2010 and 2021 – the seventh highest increase in the EU. Rents have also risen significantly...

COACHING in Women’s Leadership

Petra Novotná, Head of brand strategy and marketing communication in Slovak Telekom. Experienced manager forming one of the biggest brands in Slovakia with passion to help people to develop their own abilities and talent so they can become...

How to Change Your Bad Shopping Habits

Are you one of those people who simply love to shop and can’t save any money because of their shopping habits? If your answer is ‘yes’, welcome to the club – you aren’t the only one here! A lot of people want to change their bad shopping habits...

Prague Airbnb market recovering but still...

With the easing of travel restrictions, the demand for short-term accommodation through house-renting applications, such as Airbnb or Booking.com is slowly increasing. However, the number of Airbnb apartments offered for short-term rentals...

9 Once-in-a-lifetime Trips to Book for 2022

The inspiration you need to start planning an epic return to international travel. Looking ahead to 2022, one thing seems clear: It is the year of the bucket-list vacation. After a year and a half of canceled plans, topped with a hefty dose of...

Rate of Social Media Participation in Czech...

According to Eurostat, 57 percent of people aged 16-74 in the EU used social networks in 2020. In the Czech Republic, the figure was slightly above average at 59 percent. Social media use in the EU has risen significantly from 36 percent in...

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Dr...

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Dr. Dritan Abazović received the director of the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES[1]) Assist. Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović. Director of the Institute Dr. Bećirović presented to...

The 55th Karlovy Vary International Film...

The official selection of the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), which takes place from August 20th through the 28th, features 32 premieres. The films will make their bow in the fest’s two competitions and Special Screenings...

Modern-day Information Warfare and Hybrid...

Abstract Objective. A study of the latest practices (forms, methods, tools, and technologies) of information operations, specificities of their hybridization, as well as the newest forms and methods of counteroperation. Procedures and Methods...

2021 North Macedonia: Morally humiliated and...

At the EU summit in Thessaloniki in 2003, a clear message on the European perspective of Western Balkan countries was sent. Eighteen years after the EU summit in Thessaloniki, only the Republic of Croatia has been coopted into the EU, two...

The Best Islands to Retire, From the...

Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure. Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions...

Home working – Missing regulation...

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed one of the major deficiencies in Czech employment legislation: the almost non-existent regulation of home working. Due to this absence in legislation, employees working from home are theoretically subject to...

Love it or hate it: Czech Olympic outfit...

Designer Zuzana Osako scoured the folk traditions of her country and Japan’s for a common thread to weave into the Czech Republic’s Olympic team outfits for the Tokyo Games opening ceremony in July, turning heads but also drawing...

Persona non grata without single fact or...

Regarding the decision of May 19, 2021 of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the designation persona ‘non grata’ of Sali Berisha, my wife Liri Berisha, my daughter Argita and my son Shkelzen, on grounds of significant corruption.

První ročník Akademie pro začínající...

13 týdnů studia v programu Arizonské státní univerzity, 39 studentek a jejich projektů, 7 finalistek v závěrečné soutěži AWE a 1 vítězka. Takový byl 1.ročník společného vzdělávacího projektu neziskové organizace Business & Professional...

Biden-Putin summit, surprising or long...

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, Balkans and also around the world. Ambassador Arben Cici is diplomat, researcher, professor and...

The 10 Best Cities to Live in Around the...

These are the best places to live in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index. Auckland, New Zealand is the most livable city in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2021...

These Are The EU States With The Lowest...

The economic innovation driven by the 27 member states of the European Union has helped advance previously tarnished economies, and help build the platform for solvent democracies. In the last few years, economic changes regarding corporation...

New internal and external challenges

Facing Covid-19 pandemic – mission of saving human lives In its response to the Covid-19 pandemic the Republic of Serbia introduced state of emergency on 15 March 2020 and then terminated it on 6 May 2020. From the start of 2020 until the...

Investing in Whiskey and Watches Soars In...

With the reality of growing inflation increasingly on our minds, making small investments in things like whiskey and watches is becoming more and more common. Novinky reports that some Czechs are deciding that rather than dumping millions of...

Czech businesses prepare for Council...

In the second half of 2022, the Czech Republic will hold the Presidency to the Council of the EU and to some extent, it will set the agenda for negotiations in this key institution. The founders of CEBRE prepared recommendations for the...

Prague is the only EU capital to keep an...

Syrian President Bashar Assad claimed to have won 95.1% of the vote in elections held last month, as a joint statement from France, Italy, the US and Britain branded the electoral process “illegitimate”. One nation not to comment on the...

EU matters business

Did you know that? Commission intensifies fight against disinformation The European Commission issued guidelines on a code of practice to fight against disinformation, which should help Member States make effective use of this tool. E…...

Risks of implementing LinkedIn Sales in...

This article is a second part of the previous issue’s edition. The first part of the article described in detail the risks you will experience while implementing LinkedIn (LI) sales in large sales departments. This second part is about exact...

CEZ plans to cut coal-fired output, raise...

Czech utility CEZ (CEZP.PR) said it aims to shut most of its coal-fired power plants by 2030, cutting the proportion of coal in its energy production mix to 12.5% from 36% last year. The country’s main power utility said on Thursday it...

Prague is 8th most sustainable city in the...

The absolute winner was Australia’s Canberra, where 88.6 percent of the transport infrastructure is ecological Prague is the eighth most sustainable metropolis in the world, according to a study commissioned by the British comparison...

Mediterranean: Fragile but Pivotal...

On May 19th, as part of the Geneva Lecture Series concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, numerous international affairs specialists, faculty fellows, practitioners and diplomats gathered for an event on the hard and soft...

Prague unveils a free public closet for...

Prague Market Hall now houses a “Closet for Single Parent Families” To mark Children’s Day (1 June) in the Czech Republic, Prague opened a “Closet for Single Parent Families” at the Prague Market Hall. There, the community can donate items for...

Protecting your brand in the Czech Republic:...

The most recent listing of the world’s top brands provided by Forbes (2020) listed 5 tech companies at the top (Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook) with Coca Cola in the 6th position as the first consumer goods company. Coke’s value...

EU Travel Certificate Program Will Launch...

Under the agreement, European travelers won’t face additional testing or quarantine requirements unless implemented by the local government. It’s about to get easier to travel across Europe, at least for many Europeans. Beginning...

Inflation in EU accelerates, Czech prices...

On the contrary, deflation has been observed in Greece and Portugal The average annual inflation in the European Union accelerated to 2 percent in April from 1.7 percent in March, the European Statistical Office announced on Wednesday...

Czech Labour Minister Pushes For 4-Day Work...

Jana Maláčová, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, is proposing enforcing a 4 day work week in the Czech Republic, without reducing wages. She suggests a 35 hour, Monday-to-Thursday work week, with the goal of increasing productivity, upping...

Nord Stream 2: To Gain or to Refrain? Why...

The chances of the sanctions war around Nord Stream 2 to rage on after the construction of the pipeline is finally over seem to be high. That said, we have to admit, with regret or with joy, that it will be completed, and for the following...

Food Prices Rise In Czech Republic...

As expected, inflation is bumping up food prices in the Czech Republic, forcing manufacturers to get creative so consumers don’t notice, Yookie reports. According to Lukáš Kovanda, chief economist at Trinity Bank, food and non-alcoholic...

Energetically Marching in to the Wrong Side...

By: Tomislav Jakić The first half of May in Croatia is marked by the anniversaries of two events from the end of the Second World War. With one democratic Croatia, which, if we believe its Constitution, is built on the foundations of anti...

Sustainable Future: Impact Journey

Everyone is very welcome to the next online event of Startup Disrupt UK where we will explore the sustainable future topics. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Therefore, let us take you on a journey with us with exciting panelist...

UNYP to host public webinar on fake news and...

UNYP to host public webinar on fake news and COVID-19: Inoculating the Public against Disinformation The University of New York in Prague is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its second online Czech-language webinar for the general...

Becoming Digital: Small But Sharp

Last week, Apple released its latest gadget. The company recently opened up its “Find My” network to third-party device makers. But that’s not stopping it from making its own item tracker. AirTag is a small €2-coin-sized disc that can be...

3 ways to exercise in Prague during pandemic

With gyms still closed, how do you start getting in shape and ready for summer? Maybe you’re looking to lose some of that “lockdown weight” or just ready to start moving after months of snow and Netflix nights. Whatever your reason, you’re in...

Energo-Pro completes largest Czech...

Czech energy group Energo-Pro has completed the construction of the Alpaslan 2 hydropower plant in Turkey. The project, which cost around $600 million, is the largest Czech investment in industry since November 1989. Energo-Pro’s largest...

Vienna Process: Minilateralism for the...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future –...

Czechs still lose savings due to lack of...

A quarter of Czechs still leave their savings susceptible to the inflation process by securing them in cash. However, they are interested in making new investments, according to the Generali Investments CEE research. Cash savings are a...

New app to help prevent tram and train...

POZOR TRAMVAJ! is a new app developed by the company Safe Public Transport. Its Bluetooth-based system sends out warning signals about approaching trams to users of mobile devices and could help prevent the frequent accidents involving...

Czech Republic records lowest number of new...

The Czech Republic saw a decrease of 11 percent in entrepreneurship in the last quarter compared with the last year’s results. Only 14 000 Czech entrepreneurs established their own new businesses which is the lowest result in 12 years. People...

Czech MPs reject proposed quota for locally...

Czech lawmakers have rejected a proposal to force supermarkets to have a mandatory quota on locally produced food. The proposed law would have come into effect in 2022 and meant the percentage of Czech food sold in large supermarkets would have...

President of Malta at the Vienna Process: No...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. Along with the two acting European State Presidents, the event...

5 Travel Mistakes Not to Make in 2021

You missed an entire year of travel in 2020, and today, you might finally be able to catch up. However, a lot has changed when it comes to travel due to the coronavirus, so you might be in for some good preparation. Also, there are general...

The Suez Canal Incident: Lessons learned for...

International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] from Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly analyses developments in the Middle East, the Balkans and around the world. General (Rtd) Corneliu Pivariu is a member of IFIMES Advisory...

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling...

Millions of Americans have been inoculated against COVID-19, receiving the vaccine that brings the promise of returning to life pre-2020. But what that means practically has been an evolving science since news of the shot first emerged, leaving...

Milan Kundera: Czech writer whose works were...

‘There is no perfection, only life.’ – Milan Kundera It is one of the most powerful quotes from a leading figure of Prague Spring, Milan Kundera. In addition to his political activity, he became a well-known novelist in the Czech Republic and...

Supreme Audit Office: pandemic not entirely...

The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified problems in public finance management, but it cannot be entirely blamed for last year’s economic result, which was the worst in the country’s history, the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) says in its annual report...

Czech parliament grants stronger powers to...

The lower chamber of the Czech parliament on Wednesday approved stronger powers for the Czech National Bank in the mortgage market which enable it to set prudential limits for lenders, and extend its monetary policy authority for trading in...

Death of Petr Kellner opens debate on his...

The death of Petr Kellner, a reclusive Czech billionaire and the head of PPF group, came as a big shock in the Czech Republic on Monday morning. As further details of his death in a helicopter crash in Alaska emerge, Czechs are looking back at...

Tomáš Baťa, the Henry Ford of Czechoslovakia

A legendary industrialist and creator of the world-famous shoe empire, Tomáš Baťa was a pioneer of technology, advertising, marketing, and business management. Born April 3rd, 1876 in Zlín, Czechoslovakia, Baťa’s father was also a shoemaker...

BREXIT AND FUTURE OF CROSS-ATLANTIC...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was...

No EU Green Deal without balanced approach...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future –...

Continuity in Times of Crises: UNIDO...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process titled: “Europe – Future –...

Biofach at the time of coronavirus

The largest European trade fair for organic food and natural cosmetics took place in Nuremberg in the traditional February term completely digitally. A total of 1,442 exhibitors from 82 countries presented news from the organic world to 13,800...

Company COVID testing: Every second positive...

Forcing companies to test their employees for COVID-19 may not be going so well, as new data suggests half of all the positive results are in fact false positives. A new survey from the Food Chamber determined that companies are having a lot of...

Czech gaming industry on the rise despite...

Czech animation and games production companies reported that 2020 showed better results than 2019 with few negative effects of COVID-19. On the contrary, the effects were mostly positive, and the Czech gaming industry is developing. The results...

Startup Founders: Navigating through early...

Everyone is very welcome to the next virtual event of Startup Disrupt powered by LXVI! On the 31st of March, we’ll live stream an amazing event with 3 extraordinary speakers – Andrej Kiska (Startup investor at early-stage venture capital fund...

View from Latvia: Is the EU Failing us?

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future –...

Rok 2021 je rokem ochrany oznamovatelů

Po prosinci 2021 musí všechny právnické osoby v EU nad 50 zaměstnanců zavést tzv. vnitřní oznamovací systém pro ohlašování podezření z protiprávního jednání (tzv. whistleblowing). Lidé, kteří v práci upozorní na nějaké protiprávní jednání budou...

How mobile payments can help small business?

The pandemic has rapidly accelerated digital transfor-mation projects. It has also driven mass adoption of mo-bile payments. After a slow start in the US, the use of mo-bile wallets is rapidly catching up with cash payments. Mobile payments...

A soothing waterfall of Bohemian glass

The Czech design and glass company LASVIT is proud to unveil its first major installation in Mexico, in the very heart of its vibrant capital. St. Regis Mexico City commissioned LASVIT to install Twirl, designed by LASVIT’s design team member...

How to ensure customer engagement if you...

If you own a start-up or a small business, the pandemic is probably giving you a hard time maintaining customer engagement — understandably so. It is hard enough to survive with all the bans on social gatherings, and with social distancing and...

COVID-19 slows down Airbnb’s takeover of...

Airbnb’s presence in the European real estate market has dissipated in most cities on the continent after a year of COVID-19 restrictions. According to real estate management companies in Prague, Lisbon, Barcelona and Venice, property...

The US, UK and the EU – Triangle of variable...

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future –...