* **December 22, 2025:** President Pavel maintains reservations about Filip Turko. The politician denies this and speaks of a campaign.

PRAGUE - Petr Pavel, the President of the Czech Republic, received Filip Turko, a member of the "Motorists for Themselves" movement, at Prague Castle. Turko had requested the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify the reservations that the president has long expressed regarding a possible nomination of Turko for the position of minister. However, according to the President's Office, the explanations presented did not convince the head of state, and his position remains unchanged. More here

* **December 23, 2025:** Weekly summary of Chinese economy and technology: iRobot collapses, TikTok deal in the US, growth in investments in clean energy.

iRobot, the maker of the Roomba, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. The company cited increasing competition from cheaper rivals and new tariffs as reasons. In September 2002, iRobot launched the Roomba, the first commercially successful robotic vacuum cleaner, which revolutionized the entire market. In 2024, the company achieved $682 million in revenue, but profitability declined due to strong competition from Chinese brands such as Roborock and Ecovacs. More here

* **December 24, 2025:** Czech Christmas is a fairytale in itself, and our classic fairytales are among the most beautiful.

Czech Christmas has a unique ability to stop time, and memories often embrace us during these festive moments, transporting us back to bygone days or childhood. As soon as it gets dark in the early Christmas afternoon, the windows light up with a warm glow, and the air begins to smell of cinnamon or cloves, it becomes clear that the moment has arrived when homes transform into havens of memory. It is then that fairytales return from television screens – quiet, familiar, and deeply rooted in our collective consciousness. They are not just films. They are rituals that accompany us throughout life. More here

* **December 25, 2025:** Vatican presents bleak Italian statistics: Fewer children, more pets.

VATICAN – Although Italians love children, the laughter of children will be missing from many Italian Christmas tables. Empty seats are often filled by pets. According to the statistics office, pets are the only population that has grown in Italy in the last 10 years. More here

* **December 25, 2025:** BRICS, SCO, and the African Union: The architecture of a new world.

BRICS will continue to actively develop interaction with organizations and associations. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in 2024 at the BRICS Plus Foreign Ministers' meeting. According to experts, such cooperation helps to consolidate the efforts of countries in the Global South in building a multipolar world and promotes dialogue between partner organizations and economic cooperation. More here

  • December 26, 2025: US stocks rose, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices closing at record highs.

NEW YORK – US stocks rose in Wednesday's shortened trading session, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices closing at record highs. Investors bought stocks across various sectors, taking advantage of the positive sentiment that has been prevalent in the markets leading up to the end of the year. There was particular interest in Nike shares, which were boosted by a report that Apple CEO Tim Cook had purchased shares worth three million dollars (over 61 million Czech crowns). The US dollar strengthened slightly against major currencies in the foreign exchange market. More here

  • December 28, 2025: Brigitte Bardot, a legend and sex symbol of the 1970s, has passed away.

PARIS – French actress, singer, and icon of world cinema, Brigitte Bardot, has died at the age of 91. The AFP news agency reported her death, citing the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which has long managed her public activities and charitable work. According to available information, the actress had been recovering from a hospital stay in recent weeks, but her health had been fragile for some time. More here

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