English-language Prague and Czech political, civic and cultural news.
Chronological file / page 02
The U.S. is set to back USA Rare Earth with a $1.6 billion debt-and-equity package for a 10% stake, according to a Reuters report citing the Financial Times, as Washington accelerates efforts to build domestic critical-minerals supply chains.
↗European governments and officials are accelerating plans to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, highlighting offshore wind and grid links as strategic priorities. The renewed urgency follows heightened geopolitical friction tied to Greenland and broader Arctic security concerns, with policymakers warning that new energy dependencies could become political leverage.
↗Ahead of January 26 marches, organizers connected to Blak Caucus said “Invasion Day” is for Indigenous mourning and sovereignty, warning against outside groups turning it into a platform for unrelated international politics. Police confirmed Sydney’s rally route through Hyde Park despite restrictions elsewhere.
↗British police said 86 people were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after demonstrators entered prison grounds at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London. The protest was held in support of a Palestine Action-linked activist on hunger strike, authorities said.
↗Israel confirmed it recovered and identified the remains of Rani Gvili, described as the last hostage held in Gaza from the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. The development closes a long-running chapter in the hostage crisis and comes as mediators press Israel and Hamas to proceed with the second stage of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The return of the final hostage remains is expected to remove a key obstacle to steps such as limited reopening arrangements at the Rafah crossing and broader implementation measures.
↗Toronto is recovering from what it says is the largest snowfall in the city’s history. The storm disrupted public transit and air travel, caused hundreds of collisions, and left crews facing days of cleanup as snowbanks and blocked sidewalks complicate mobility.
↗Venezuela freed dozens of political prisoners as international attention remained focused on human-rights conditions and the country’s governance crisis, according to reporting carried in international news briefs.
↗First Nations communities and allies planned ceremonies, festivals and protest marches across Australia for January 26, while Sydney adjusted restrictions to allow a major demonstration to proceed.
↗Police arrested dozens of protesters who gathered outside a London jail demanding the release of Palestine Action prisoners, including a young detainee reported to have resumed a hunger strike. The protest took place amid ongoing debate in the U.K. about how authorities are applying terrorism-related laws to activist groups and their supporters.
↗At the World Economic Forum in Davos, officials highlighted fresh diplomatic efforts to manage tensions tied to U.S. interest in Greenland and broader Arctic security. Discussions also turned to Ukraine and the need for sustained talks, with leaders emphasizing diplomacy and negotiated frameworks over escalation.
↗London’s Metropolitan Police said 86 people were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after protesters entered the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison during a demonstration linked to a hunger-striking Palestine Action activist.
↗A newly described U.S. defense strategy tied to an “America First” approach calls for allies to contribute more to their own security. The plan emphasizes defending the homeland and rebalancing priorities, with wide implications for NATO relationships and global posture.
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