DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

UKRAINE DIVERSIONReuters spoke to around a half dozen Czech and Polish defence companies and government officials who described renewed efforts to carve out a bigger share of the African arms market as the Ukraine conflict diverts Russia's attention. Privately-held defence and civil manufacturing company Czechoslovak Group - the biggest Czech defence company - said its ability to maintain and modernize armoured vehicles using Soviet-era standards has helped it win business in Africa. ...in Poland where our stand was visited by numerous delegations from African countries that appeared here for the first time," WB Group spokesman Remigiusz Wilk said. The effort to supply Ukraine has pushed Czech companies to boost production and expand supply lines, something Czech-based independent defence analyst Lukas Visingr said has burnished the region's reputation. "The Czech arms industry is stepping up its efforts towards certain African countries still using Soviet-style equipment but who start to see Russia as a problematic supplier," Visingr said.

Persons: David W Cerny, Jiri Hynek, Filip Kulstrunk, Andrej Cirtek, Pieter Wezeman, Sebastian Chwalek, –, Remigiusz Wilk, Petr Fiala, Tomas Pojar, Tomas Kopecny, Kopecny, Lukas Visingr, Visingr, Michael Kahn, Anna Koper, Alex Richardson Organizations: Aero Vodochody, REUTERS, Western, Central, Russia Czech, Defence, Western NATO, Warsaw, Defence and Security Industry Association of, Reuters, Aero, Privately, Czechoslovak Group, CSG, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, WB Group, WB, Ivory, Thomson Locations: Odolena Voda, Czech Republic, Russia, Africa, PRAGUE, WARSAW, European, Western, Czechoslovakia, Czech, UKRAINE, Polish, Ukraine, Stockholm, China, Saharan Africa, Poland's, Poland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Prague, Mozambique

☆ Czech firm Bene Meat gets EU approval for lab-grown meat for pet food
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] An employee works at a laboratory of Bene Meat Technologies company, which is planning to scale up production of lab-grown meat for use in pet food, in Prague, Czech Republic, November 7, 2023. Bene Meat has turned its focus to the pet food sector to deliver a product that can be marketed to global pet food makers as a raw material for inclusion in their final products. He said Bene Meat's costs would allow final products to sell around the price level of premium and super-premium pet food products on the market. The company is in talks with pet food makers on supplies, but also aims to work with them to potentially set up production lines at their current facilities. It also plans to develop its own brand of final pet food products.

Persons: David W Cerny, Meat, Roman Kriz, Kriz, Bene, Jan Lopatka, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bene Meat Technologies, REUTERS, Bene, Technologies, European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Prague, Czech Republic, PRAGUE, Czech, United States, Singapore

☆ Saab wins expanded U.S. contract for anti-armour system
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The logo of Swedish manufacturer Saab is seen on a car in Prague June 13, 2012. REUTERS/David W Cerny/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCOPENHAGEN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Swedish defence equipment maker Saab (SAABb.ST) said on Monday the U.S. Department of Defense has expanded a framework deal for AT4 anti-armour systems and Carl-Gustaf ammunition, and placed a new order worth $104.9 million for delivery from 2024 to 2026. The extension of the agreement, which was originally signed in 2019, will allow the U.S. to buy Saab's close combat solutions for up to $422 million, including the new order announced on Monday, Saab said. The latest order will support the U.S. army, U.S. Special Operations Command and the U.S. Marine Corps, Saab said. Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Terje SolsvikOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David W Cerny, Gustaf, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik Organizations: Saab, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Department of Defense, U.S ., Special Operations Command, U.S . Marine Corps, Thomson Locations: Swedish, Prague, Rights COPENHAGEN

☆ Czech protesters rally against government's pro-Western policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Demonstrators take part in an anti-government protest demanding the resignation of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, in Prague, Czech Republic, September 16, 2023. And I do not want a puppet government any more," Raichl said, saying the Czech Republic should veto any attempt by Ukraine to join NATO. Under the current government, the Czech Republic has been a close ally of Ukraine, sending tanks, rocket launchers, helicopters, artillery shells and other material to help Ukrainian forces fighting Russia's invasion. Raichl hailed the nationalist policies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a role model and called for an alliance of Central European countries to counter Brussels. Protester Marcela Hajkova, a mother-of-three, condemned the government's military aid to Ukraine, among other policies.

Persons: Petr Fiala, David W Cerny, Petr, Fiala, Jindrich Raichl, Raichl, Viktor Orban, Robert Fico, Marcela Hajkova, Jan Lopatka, David Cerny, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Czech, REUTERS, Rights, Ukraine, PRO, ., CTK, NATO, Hungarian, Police, Wagner Group, Thomson Locations: Prague, Czech Republic, Russian Czech, Moscow, Prague's Wenceslas, Ukraine, Central, Brussels

☆ Exclusive: CEZ plans to bid for Czech gas distribution network GasNet
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Electricity transmission lines carry power from CEZ's Ledvice coal-fired power plant near the village of Ledvice, Czech Republic, February 9, 2016. REUTERS/David W Cerny/File PhotoPRAGUE, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Czech electricity producer CEZ (CEZP.PR) plans to bid for the country's gas distribution network GasNet if it goes on sale, CEZ's deputy chairman said, as it would complement CEZ's expansion into gas, a transitional fuel in the shift from coal to clean energy. Pavel Cyrani told Reuters that CEZ would bid when a formal sale process is launched for GasNet, adding the unit would also be a good fit for CEZ's electricity distribution business. GasNet, owned through Czech Gas Network Investments by a consortium led by Macquarie Asset Management and including British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and Allianz Capital, covers 80% of the country's gas distribution through a network of 65,000 km of gas pipelines. "Having gas distribution in the hands of a strong local player would clearly help us in this effort," a spokesman said.

Persons: David W Cerny, Pavel Cyrani, Cyrani, Macquarie, GasNet, Jan Lopatka, Jason Hovet, Susan Fenton, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Czech Gas Network Investments, Macquarie Asset Management, Columbia Investment Management Corporation, Allianz Capital, Thomson Locations: Ledvice, Czech Republic, Czech, Prague, Ukraine

☆ British actor Julian Sands confirmed dead, months after vanishing in California mountains
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The manner of his death remained under investigation, awaiting further test results, the department said in an statement. The large, slopping area below the crest of Mount Baldy is a popular destination for skiers, climbers and backpackers. But authorities warned then that heavy snow from weeks of winter storms had made the area treacherous for outdoor recreation. Several subsequent searches came up empty-handed, including a major sweep conducted days before Sands' remains were ultimately found in the Mount Baldy wilderness area, according to the sheriff's department. Cellphone signals detected on Sunday, Jan. 15, had showed Sands headed toward the ridge of Mount Baldy, apparently the last indication he was still on the move, the sheriff's department reported then.

Persons: Julian Sands, David W Cerny, Sands, Mount, Julian, Rob Lowe's, Helena Bonham Carter, Satan, Helena, Harold Pinter, John Keats, Percy Shelley, Oscar, Jodie Foster, Arianna Huffington, Evgenia, Sarah Harvey, Steve Gorman, Dan Whitcomb, Tim Ahmann, Diane Craft, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, San, Guardian, Lord Wandsworth College, Oxford, Academy, Thomson Locations: Boletice, Czech Republic, Southern California, San Bernardino County, Baldy, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, Mount Baldy, Sands, England, Hampshire, Cambodia, California, Italy, Las Vegas

☆ No ticket? No problem for West Ham fans in Prague for Europa Conference final
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Michael Kahn | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Fans gather in Prague ahead of the Europa Conference League Final - Prague, Czech Republic - June 6, 2023 West Ham United fans react in Old Town Square ahead of the Europa Conference League Final REUTERS/David W CernyPRAGUE, June 6 (Reuters) - Thousands of West Ham United fans descended on Prague on Tuesday ahead of the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, filling local pubs and singing in the streets as they celebrated throughout the historic city centre. Both West Ham and Italy's Fiorentina - whose solitary European successes came over half a century ago - are treating Wednesday's showdown like a World Cup final, though it was difficult spotting supporters of the Serie A side in Prague. Fiorentina, who lost to Real Madrid in the second European Cup final in 1957, won the first edition of the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1961. They lost in the final the next season and lost to Juventus in a two-legged UEFA Cup final in 1990. read moreWest Ham won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 for their only moment of continental glory. They lost in the 1976 final and the closest they have come since, excluding their 1999 Intertoto Cup victory, was last season's Europa League semi-finals.

Persons: David W Cerny PRAGUE, revel, Holly Turbutt, West, George Maddy, Maddy, Frank Haughton, Haughton, Robert Mueller, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer, Europa Conference, West Ham United, Europa Conference League, REUTERS, Fiorentina, West, UEFA, Slavia Prague's, Italy's Fiorentina, Serie, Real Madrid, European, Juventus, West Ham, Intertoto, Europa League, Thomson Locations: Prague, Czech Republic, Old, West Ham, Europe, Germany, Czech

[1/5] An employee prepares online grocery orders in the storage area of Czech online grocer Rohlik Group in Prague, Czech Republic February 1, 2023. HUGE GROWTH POTENTIAL Rohlik, founded in 2014, leads the Czech market by mainly targeting customers in big cities through its string of distribution warehouses. "Competition is still mainly driven by stationary retail but a small number of online grocery players are gearing up in each market to become leading e-grocery platforms." KOSIK TURNS EASTAs Rohlik bets on Germany, Kosik is looking eastward, entering the Slovak market and expanding in Bulgaria. CEO Ivan Utesil said the company would also seek to cut into Czech market share by capitalising on its tie-in with German wholesaler Metro (B4B.DE) in some regional areas.

☆ China raps Czech president-elect over Taiwan call
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Czech presidential candidate Petr Pavel speaks to the media at his headquarters, during the country's presidential election, in Prague, Czech Republic January 28, 2023. REUTERS/David W CernyBEIJING, Jan 31 (Reuters) - China condemned on Tuesday a phone call between Czech President-elect Petr Pavel and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen, saying he ignored Beijing's repeated attempts at dissuasion. "Czech President-elect Pavel ignored China's repeated attempts to dissuade him and our repeated representations," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Mao told reporters. "Before his election, Pavel publicly stated that the 'one China' principle should be respected, yet now he has gone back on his words," Mao said. "China once again urges the Czech Republic to...take immediate and effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of this incident and avoid irreparable damage to China-Czech relations."

[1/9] Czech presidential candidate Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlova react at his headquarters, after results are announced for the country's presidential election, in Prague, Czech Republic January 28, 2023. Pavel, a 61-year-old retired general running for office for the first time, won 58.3% of the vote with all voting districts reporting final results, defeating billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babis, a dominant but polarising force in Czech politics for a decade. Pavel has also fully backed continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion. Babis, 68, a combative business magnate who heads the biggest opposition party in parliament, had attacked Pavel as the government's candidate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Pavel on his election on Twitter and said he looked forward to close cooperation.

☆ Retired general, ex-PM lead the field in Czech presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] Presidential candidate and former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and Czech Army General Petr Pavel arrives at a rock club to meet his supporters, ahead of a direct presidential election that will start on January 13, in Prague, Czech Republic, January 9, 2023. Retired General Petr Pavel, 61, running as an independent, led two out of four final polls. Former prime minister Andrej Babis, 68, a billionaire heading the biggest opposition party in parliament was ahead in the other two. While there are eight candidates, only Pavel, Babis and economics professor Danuse Nerudova, 44, have a chance of making it to the second round, polls show. There pollsters give Pavel and edge, expecting him to gather more votes from other candidates than Babis.

☆ Three companies vie to build new Czech nuclear plant
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Jan Lopatka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Czech Republic has been a strong backer of nuclear energy as a carbon-free power source for the future, unlike European Union neighbours Germany and Austria. CEZ plans to build three more nuclear units - on top of the one now planned - at its Dukovany and Temelin nuclear sites, as the country diversifies away from coal. It is also planning to build smaller modular nuclear power plants. Poland picked Westinghouse last month to build its first nuclear power plant, and also agreed to cooperate with South Korea on potential further units. In 2020, the cost of the project - not including financing and inflation - was estimated at 6 billion euros ($6.2 billion).

☆ Prague Christmas market returns after COVID but with fewer lights
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] A Christmas tree is illuminated as the traditional Christmas market opens at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, November 26, 2022. REUTERS/David W CernyPRAGUE, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Thousands of people poured into Prague's medieval Old Town Square at the weekend for the lighting of a 25-metre (80-foot) Christmas tree and the reopening of the annual market after a two-year COVID-19 shutdown, but the energy crisis meant fewer lights than usual. The city has decided to not turn the lights on all day long as in the past but only from 4 p.m. until midnight. "We don't want to take away from people the festive atmosphere of Christmas and New Year ... but we are aware that energy should not be wasted." Reporting by Jiri Skacel Writing by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Big Czech crown interventions less likely, central banker says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Czech Crown coins and notes are seen in this picture illustration taken April 1, 2017. In July, the Czech National Bank (CNB) used 10 billion euros ($10.35 billion) of its massive international reserves to support the crown. Intervention amounts eased to 2.6 billion euros in September, according to bank data. Interventions have kept the crown in a tight range and on the strong side of 24.78 since they started. The CNB’s reserves dropped to 131.6 billion euros at the end of October, or about 48% of expected 2022 gross domestic product, from 160.4 billion euros seen in April.

☆ Explainer: Russia and North Korea forge closer ties amid shared isolation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

As Russia's isolation over its war in Ukraine has grown, it has seen increasing value in North Korea. North Korea was heavily reliant on Soviet aid for decades, and when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, it helped spark a deadly famine in the North. UKRAINE WAR SUPPORTNorth Korea has reciprocated with public support for Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea have denied claims by the United States that Russia has sought to buy millions of rounds of ammunition and other weapons from North Korea. ECONOMIC TIESRussia and North Korea recently restarted train travel for the first time since railway journeys were cut during the COVID pandemic with an unusually opulent cargo - 30 grey thoroughbred horses.

☆ Krejcikova back in business with victory over Swiatek
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tennis - WTA 500 - Ostrava Open - CEZ Arena, Ostrava, Czech Republic - October 9, 2022 Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with a trophy after winning the singles final against Poland's Iga Swiatek REUTERS/David W CernyOct 10 (Reuters) - Czech Barbora Krejcikova edged world number one Iga Swiatek in the duel between French Open champions in Ostrava on Sunday to continue her late flourish in an injury-hit season. The 26-year-old climbed to a career-high ranking of two in February before being sidelined for months due to an elbow injury. She failed to make another semi-final until winning two titles in consecutive weeks in Tallinn, Estonia, and at home in Ostrava. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterKrejcikova's 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3 win handed twice French Open winner Swiatek her first defeat in a final since 2019. "It was difficult because I think the beginning of the season was great," Krejcikova told the WTA following her win that took three hours and 16 minutes.

☆ Thousands of Czechs protest government's handling of energy crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Demonstrators take part in an anti-government protest rally in reaction to the energy crisis and soaring prices in Prague, Czech Republic, September 28, 2022. REUTERS/David W CernyPRAGUE, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Thousands of Czechs protested in Prague on Wednesday against the government's handling of soaring energy prices which have cut into pocketbooks as winter approaches. The organising group "Czech Republic First!" Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe Czech Republic is a member of both the EU and NATO. High energy prices, fuelled by the war in Ukraine, have piled pressure on governments across Europe to cushion the blow of mounting energy costs for consumers and businesses.

☆ Defence manufacturer Saab to set up new facility in India, make weapons system
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Devjyot Ghoshal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe logo of Swedish manufacturer Saab is seen on a car in Prague June 13, 2012. REUTERS/David W CernySept 27 (Reuters) - Swedish defence products company Saab (SAABb.ST) will set up a facility to manufacture its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons system in India, a top executive said on Tuesday, as the company looks to ramp up production. The facility will begin production in 2024, Senior Vice President Gorgen Johansson told reporters at a news conference. From around 10 billion rupees ($122.62 million) of defence exports some eight years ago, India is now exporting more than 130 billion rupees of military equipment, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. "We have set a target of 1.75 trillion of defence production by 2025, which includes export of 350 billion," Singh told a gathering of defence manufacturers.

☆ Analysis: Central Europe's policymakers try to call time on rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Jason Hovet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Czech Crown coins are seen in front of a displayed logo of Czech central bank (CNB) in this picture illustration taken April 1, 2017. Whether it can do so will depend much on wage pressures subsiding and how much a weakening market mood will hurt its currencies. "In Hungary, I think there is still road ahead (for rate hikes)," Juraj Kotian, an economist with Erste Group Bank, said. read moreAnalysts, though, see further rate hikes even after Tuesday. In August, the inflation rate slowed to 17.2% - the first sign of a price peak in central Europe.

☆ Czech opposition party wins most major cities in local election
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala speaks during an interview with Reuters in Prague, Czech Republic, July 13, 2022. REUTERS/David W CernyPRAGUE, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis's opposition ANO party won most of the country's major cities in municipal elections seen as a test for the ruling coalition's handling of the energy crisis. The opposition has been saying that the government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala has done too little too late to help the people. Among the individual parties, ANO came out behind two parties of the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Fiala's Civic Democrats, and the Christian Democrats. Regardless of the second round results, the ruling coalition will maintain its majority in the Senate.

Search resuls for: "David W Cerny"

20 mentions found