- February 16, 2026 Czech Daily Economic Summary: Mortgages, Downtown Music, Uber Eats, Pestech International, Lukoil, FedEx and BYD (February 16, 2026)
The Czech financial sector entered 2026 with mixed results in the mortgage market. According to statistics from the Czech Banking Association, Hypomonitor reported mortgage loans of CZK 35.5 billion in January. This is a 4.4 per cent month-on-month decline, but the market strengthened significantly by 57 per cent year-on-year. New loans excluding refinancing reached CZK 27.2 billion, down five per cent from December. Average interest rates fell slightly to 4.48 per cent. The development indicates continued stabilisation of the property market, but also caution on the part of households and banks. Read more here
- 17 February 2026 Chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee: The question of creating a European nuclear umbrella is not a top priority
BERLIN - The issue of creating a European nuclear umbrella is not an immediate priority, said Armin Laschet, chairman of the Bundestag's foreign affairs committee. The politician noted that the subject should not be taboo. „But I do not consider it a priority for the German Chancellor, for me or for anyone else, that we now first discuss how to secure Germany's participation in the creation of nuclear weapons,“ Laschet told ARD. Read more here
- February 18, 2026 Tensions between the US and Iran are rising sharply. The White House is considering military intervention
The likelihood of military action by the United States against Iran in the coming weeks reaches up to 90 %, according to sources from the US administration, Axios reported, citing an unnamed adviser to President Donald Trump. According to him, the situation is rapidly escalating and pressure is growing in Washington for a vigorous resolution of the long-standing dispute with Tehran. Read more here
- 19 February 2026 Brother of British King Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested over links to Jeffrey Epstein, British media report
LONDON - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of the British monarch and former Duke of York, has been detained in connection with an investigation into his relationship with convicted US financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to the BBC. The police were due to arrest him on the day of his 66th birthday, a move that has attracted extraordinary attention from the British public and media. Read more here
- 20 February 2026 European Commission demands EU defence companies increase arms production 50-fold
The European Union is facing a fundamental transformation of its defence industry. According to the European Commission's call, European arms companies need to significantly increase their production capacities to enable the continent to respond to the deteriorating security situation. Read more here
- 21 February 2026 Slavonic Epic by Alfons Mucha - painting 15: The Brothers' School in Ivančice - Cradle of the Royal Bible
Picture fifteen. With the fifteenth painting of the Slavonic Epic by Alfons Mucha, you will feel that you are not just looking at a simple painting with a sunny harmonious motif, but literally a living chronicle of a nation. The scene dedicated to the Unity of the Brethren in Moravia will impress you with an extraordinary, positive power - quietly, yet urgently. In it I sensed the deep breath of history and the humble faith of people who chose to serve the truth proclaimed by Jan Hus and the Word of God. Read more here
- 22 February 2026 Hungary to block sanctions against Russia until Druzhba pipeline supplies start - Orbán
BUDAPEST, 22 February. Hungary will block all EU decisions on sanctions against Russia until Ukraine resumes oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after an emergency meeting of the country's Energy Security Council. Read more here
Jan Vojtěch, Editor-in-chief, General News
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