Prague

Tycoon-led Czech cabinet loses confidence vote

Prague - Muslimchronicle

The new Czech minority cabinet led by billionaire Andrej Babis lost a parliamentary confidence vote on Tuesday, after lawmakers spurned the populist who has been charged with EU subsidy fraud. "The parliament refused to voice confidence in the cabinet," parliament speaker Radek Vondracek said. The vote was 117 against the cabinet to 78 in favour, with five abstentions in theRead more

Outspoken pro-Russian, anti-migrant Czech president

Prague - Muslimchronicle

Czech President Milos Zeman, who is seeking a second five-year term in a run-off vote later this month, has sown division with his strong anti-migrant and pro-Russian views, despite vowing to be "the voice of all citizens" when first elected. The burly silver-haired 73-year-old cut down on his smoking and drinking after he became the Czech Republic's first directly electedRead more

East-west clash as Czechs vote for new president

Prague - Muslimchronicle

Czech President Milos Zeman appeared Saturday, January 13, to be heading for a run-off as voting began on day two of a presidential election pitting the pro-Russian incumbent against a flock of more liberal pro-European rivals. Opinion surveys show the divisive 73-year-old ex-communist, who is also staunchly anti-Muslim and pro-Chinese, leading the pack of 9 candidates ahead of Jiri Drahos, 68-year-old pro-EuropeanRead more

Jiri Drahos, the singing scientist running

Prague - Muslimchronicle

Jiri Drahos, a Czech presidential candidate who will face-off against pro-Russian incumbent Milos Zeman in a run-off in 15 days, is a pro-European scientist with a life-long passion for music. The chemist and former head of the Czech Academy of Sciences won 26.58 percent in the first round of the presidential election on Friday and Saturday, against Zeman's 38.6 percent.Read more

Prague's astronomical clock stops for six months

Prague - Muslimchronicle

The 15th-century astronomical clock in Prague's centre, which draws crowds of tourists every hour, was halted on Monday morning for six months of repairs, city hall said. "The Old Town clock is one of Prague's symbols and its repair... is a necessary and responsible step," said a statement from Jan Wolf, the city's councillor for culture. The clock, called Orloj, will beRead more

Le Pen, Wilders to meet far-right leaders

Prague - Muslimchronicle

Europe's far-right leaders including Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders will gather for a controversial conference in Prague on Saturday held under tight security amid protests planned to counter groups spreading xenophobia. Allied within the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), a European Parliament group established two years ago, the parties -- espousing strong anti-migrant and anti-EU views -- sayRead more

Czech govt buys controversial pig farm at former Nazi camp

Prague - Muslimchronicle

The Czech government on Thursday said it had bought a controversial pig farm located on the site of a former Nazi camp for Roma people, paying millions of euros for the right to shut it down."After 20 or so years, we finally managed to get rid of this harmful legacy from the past," Culture Minister Daniel Herman told reporters. TheRead more

Czech mogul loyalist elected parliament speaker

Prague - Muslimchronicle

A Czech lawmaker from billionaire Andrej Babis's populist ANO party, which won elections last month, was on Wednesday elected speaker of parliament, an important post in the government formation process. Under the constitution, the president has two attempts to decide who will form the cabinet, leaving the third and final try to the speaker of parliament. Radek Vondracek, who saidRead more

Prague zoo fetes health of rare Malayan tiger cubs

Prague - Muslimchronicle

The Prague zoo on Tuesday celebrated the health of two rare Malayan tiger cubs -- a male and a female -- born there six weeks ago. Zoo officials said that the small size of the female -- belonging to the critically endangered subspecies -- had been a cause for concern after two underweight cubs born this spring died. "We areRead more

Calls for Russian blanket ban at 2018 Olympics slammed

Prague - Muslimchronicle

A congress of national Olympic committees on Friday slammed calls for a blanket ban on Russian athletes for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, warning against politics interfering with sports. Meeting in Prague for two days, the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) said in its final resolutions that protecting clean athletes "continues to be a top priority." ItRead more