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On Monday, a new amendment went into effect which seeks to tackle the shady tactics employed by many exchange offices in the Czech Republic. They include the right of clients to cancel an exchange up to three hours after the transaction, as well as the prohibition of separating the exchange payment from the rate itself.

The price of vegetables in Czech shops has seen a steep growth. Potatoes – once the cheapest of commodities –are now more expensive than exotic fruits. And, since last year’s poor harvest was a pan-European problem, imports from other countries are not helping to bring down the exorbitant prices.

Two Prague restaurants have reason to celebrate, having retained their Michelin one-star status in the 2018 Main Cities of Europe Michelin Guide. La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise in Prague’s Old Town can boast holding its one-star-status for over a decade, while Field, one of the world’s least expensive Michelin-starred restaurants, has maintained it for three years in a row.

The percentage of Czech apartments bought as investments has grown in recent years. But simultaneous with that has been a rise in the number of foreigners acquiring flats as homes, particularly in Prague, Hospodářské noviny reported.

Thanks to its location in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic has always been a popular transit country for trucks. But it is not the only reason. According to a new study put together by the Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA), the Czech Republic is also one of the cheapest countries in terms highway fees and fuel costs.

The Prague-based property technology company Spaceti took top honours this year at MIPIM, the world’s biggest real estate industry fair, held in the glitzy French resort town of Cannes. Co-founder Aakas Ravi spoke to Radio Prague about the start-up’s evolution from focusing on safety to its pioneering work making “smart buildings” even smarter.

The Czech military aircraft producer Aero Vodochody is marking the company’s 100th birthday with an exhibition documenting the development of its aircraft over the years. Titled “A century with Aero”, the exhibition showcases veterans – from its very first Aero A-1 which took to the skies in 1919 to its latest L-39 NG model launched in December of last year.

Scientists from the Technical University in Brno have responded to an appeal to help albinos in Ghana, creating an affordable, high-factor sun protection cream that can be produced cheaply in local conditions from easily available ingredients. Money for the start-up was raised through the biggest Czech crowdfunding site HitHit which supports young artists, scientists and designers.

The Labour and Social Affairs Ministry on Monday announced its plan to increase the total parental leave benefit from 220,000 to 300,000 crowns. Despite the increase, the real value of the allowance will be lower than twelve years ago, Czech Radio’s data journalism team reported on Wednesday.

Things have improved dramatically in the past 30 years as far as service in restaurants goes, but you still come across irritable waiters, with long faces who make a good job of ignoring guests for as long as possible. According to a recent survey by the STEM/MARK agency two out of three Czechs say waiters must earn their tip, but only one in five people leave the customary ten percent of the bill. So are waiters rude and unwilling because Czechs are skimpy or are Czechs skimpy because waiters don’t give proper service?