Czech government approves $2.7-billion plan to acquire 246 armoured vehicles from Sweden
May 24, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government approved a Defense Ministry plan on Wednesday to acquire 246 CV90 armoured combat vehicles as part of a massive modernisation of the military amid the Russian war against Ukraine.
PRAGUE (AP) — Czech citizens will likely pay more for beer and medicine while businesses will face higher corporate taxes as part of a package of dozens of measures designed to keep the ballooning budget deficit under control, the government said Thursday.
Czech opera singer Soňa Červená dies at age 97
May 8, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Soňa Červená, a Czech opera singer who became known for playing Carmen and more than 110 roles in San Francisco and other opera houses behind the Iron Curtain, has died. She was 97.
Červená died Sunday at a hospital in the Czech capital where she was being treated for an unspecified illness, the National Theater in Prague said.
Czech government approves defense agreement with US
April 26, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government on Wednesday approved a defense military treaty with the United States.
The Defense Cooperation Agreement sets a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S.
Thousands turn out for anti-government protest in Prague
April 16, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Thousands of people rallied again in the Czech capital on Sunday to protest high inflation and demand the government’s resignation.
It was the second such rally at Prague’s Wenceslas Square after one on March 11 that was organized by a new political party known as PRO under an "against the poverty" banner.
Czechs protest government bid to raise retirement age
March 29, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Czech labor unions on Wednesday joined with opposition parties to protest the government's proposed bid to raise the retirement age by four years to 68.
Some 2,000 protesters gathered Wednesday in front of government offices in the capital Prague to voice their opposition to the plan.
Speaker of Czech parliament’s lower house to visit Taiwan
March 20, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The speaker of the Czech Parliament’s lower house is set to visit Taiwan to boost mutual ties, a step that has angered China.
Marketa Pekarova Adamova said Monday she will be heading a large delegation on the March 25–30 trip that focuses on business, trade, research, education, culture and other relations.
Polish, Czech leaders discuss regional security, energy
March 16, 2023 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Polish and Czech presidents discussed on Thursday further support for Ukraine, as well as regional security and joint infrastructure projects.
The new Czech president, Petr Pavel, visited Warsaw on his second foreign trip to underline the two NATO members' good relations and similar approach to security challenges in the region.
An anti-government protest in Czech capital draws thousands
March 11, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Thousands of people in the Czech Republic rallied against the government Saturday, protesting high inflation and demanding an end to the country's military support for Ukraine.
Retired army general Petr Pavel inaugurated Czech president
March 9, 2023 GMTPrague (AP) — A retired army general and former senior NATO official was sworn in Thursday as the Czech Republic's new president, succeeding the controversy-courting Milos Zeman.
Czech President Milos Zeman leaves, opponents celebrate
March 8, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Over the past 10 years, Czech President Milos Zeman has courted controversy, seeking a referendum on whether his country should leave the European Union, targeting migrants and joking about killing journalists.
Russia puts Prague-based, anti-war activist on wanted list
February 10, 2023 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russia on Friday put the founder of an anti-war group that helps Russian conscripts break their military contracts and return to Russia on its federal most-wanted list.
Alexandra Garmazhapova, founder of the Free Buryatia Foundation, lives in the Czech capital, Prague, and would face arrest if she returned to Russia.
Lubomir Strougal, Czechoslovak communist leader, dies at 98
February 6, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Lubomir Strougal, a Czechoslovak communist-era leader who served as prime minister for a record length of more than 18 years has died. He was 98.
His death was confirmed to media by former Communist Party lawmaker Jiri Dolejs on Monday.
Czechs to end checks at Slovak border amid migration decline
February 1, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic's government will end checks on the country's border with Slovakia that were renewed last year amid a new increase in migration, officials said Wednesday.
China scoffs at new Czech president’s phone call with Taiwan
January 31, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday accused Czech President-elect Petr Pavel of challenging its hard line on national sovereignty by affirming ties with self-ruled Taiwan in a phone call with the island’s leader.
Retired Czech army general Pavel wins presidential election
January 28, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Petr Pavel, a retired army general, decisively defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in a runoff vote Saturday to become the Czech Republic's new president.
Czechs pick successor to Milos Zeman in presidential runoff
January 27, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Czechs started voting Friday for a new president, choosing between a retired army general and a populist billionaire in a two-day runoff election to succeed controversy-courting Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial post.
Populist billionaire vies with ex-general for top Czech post
January 26, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — A retired army general who backs military support for Ukraine and a euroskeptic billionaire who has questioned NATO's collective defense clause are contesting for the ceremonial but prestigious post of Czech president in a runoff starting Friday.
Czech government survives no-confidence vote in Parliament
January 19, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech coalition government has survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote over opposition claims of incompetence.
Only the 81 opposition lawmakers in the 200-seat lower house of Parliament voted to dismiss the five-party government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, which has a majority.
Czech government faces no-confidence vote in Parliament
January 17, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech coalition government on Tuesday faced a parliamentary no-confidence vote over opposition claims of incompetence.
The main opposition centrist ANO (YES) movement led by populist billionaire Andrej Babis accused the government, among other issues, of not doing enough to help people cope with soaring inflation driven by high energy prices and of refusing to communicate with the opposition on its plans.
Pavel edges Babis in first round of Czech presidential vote
January 14, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Retired army Gen. Petr Pavel narrowly defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in the first round of the Czech presidential election to set up a runoff vote between the political newcomer and the former prime minister.
Czechs picking successor to Milos Zeman in presidential vote
January 13, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Czechs have started voting for a new president, with populist billionaire Andrej Babis leading a field of eight candidates in a two-day election to succeed Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial post.
Czechs picking successor to Milos Zeman in presidential vote
January 13, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Czechs have started voting for a new president, with populist billionaire Andrej Babis leading a field of eight candidates in a two-day election to succeed Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial post.
Czech ex-PM Babis favorite in presidential vote’s 1st round
January 12, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis leads a field of eight candidates hoping to succeed Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial but prestigious post of the Czech president.
Babis, a former prime minister, was recently acquitted in a fraud trial, boosting his chances of winning in the first round of the presidential election in voting on Friday and Saturday.
Czech ex-Premier Babis acquitted in EU funds fraud case
January 9, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — A Prague court on Monday acquitted former Prime Minister Andrej Babis of fraud charges in a $2 million case involving European Union subsidies.
A prosecutor requested a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of 10 million Czech koruna ($440,000) for the populist billionaire.
Czech government OKs bill for 2% GDP spending on military
January 4, 2023 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government on Wednesday approved a bill aimed at bringing defense spending at the required NATO goal of 2% of gross domestic product as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said the move would“ensure a stable and transparent financing of big defense strategic projects in the future."
Kosovo submits formal request to join the EU, Serbia angry
December 15, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — Kosovo’s prime minister on Thursday formally tabled his country’s application to be granted candidacy status for membership in the European Union, a first step in what looks set to be a very long path to eventual membership.