Section Archive Current Affairs
End of an era for Czech Constitutional Court?
The vice-president of the Czech Constitutional Court, and one of its most
distinct judges, Eliška Wagnerová retired on Tuesday as her ten-year term
expired. Dubbed the Queen of Dissent, Justice Wagnerová left a deep mark
on the top Czech court. She was behind some of the court’s crucial
rulings, including that on the EU’s Lisbon treaty, and unwaveringly stood
up to political pressure. Radio Prague asked Prof. Jiří Přibáň from
Cardiff Law School whether her departure marks the end of an era for the
highest court in the land. More
Concert, screening at Prague’s Lucerna to mark day against racism
March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination and to mark the occasion organisers from Opona, a non-profit
NGO, have helped put together an exhibition, screening and concert to take
place on Wednesday afternoon and evening at Prague’s Lucerna. Several
notable Czech artists, including Ester Kočičková Xindl X, and the Tap
Tap are taking part. More
Police warn investigations will suffer if next year’s budget cuts go through
The police have warned of tremendous impacts if the government’s
wide-ranging budget cuts go ahead. The current plan calls for a cutting a
four billion crown slice from the police budget in 2013 and an additional
two and a half billion the year after that. According to an internal police
risk assessment reported on this week by the daily Právo, those cuts in
practical terms will mean closing a quarter of the country’s police
stations and laying off a corresponding amount of the force, some 10,000
police officers. The report warns that that would leave the police unable
to properly fulfil one of their main tasks – investigations. More
Eggs in short supply following new EU directive on laying hen welfare
In the Czech Republic, egg prices have increased sharply in recent weeks as
a result of a new EU directive that strives to improve conditions in laying
hen farms. Since many farmers have failed to implement the new regulations
in time, eggs are now in short supply in some countries. Some Czech
consumers have even started buying large quantities in neighboring Germany.
How will the situation develop ahead of Easter? More
Pundit: Citizens’ initiative calling for resignation of government indicates a new level of public frustration
Thousands of people gathered for anti-government protests following a call
from the heterogeneous protest group Holešovská výzva, or Holešovská
appeal. Among their main demands is the resignation of the current
government – as well a new law that would introduce automatic referenda.
Analysts say that the demonstrations, which last week were held not only in
Prague, but also in cities across the country, could herald a new era of
escalating public frustration with the government’s policies and harsh
austerity measures. Political pundit Jiří Pehe speaks about the aims of
the new protest movement and its significance. More
New slat armour to be used on additional Czech military vehicles in Afghanistan
Additional transport vehicles used by the Czech military in Afghanistan are
to receive added protection developed by defence firm VOP-026 Šternberk:
cage (or slat) armour capable of defending against rocket-propelled
grenades or shape-charged warheads. Lightweight and made of superior alloy
steel, the slat armour can consistently save lives in attacks that
otherwise almost certainly prove fatal. More
Recording of Nico’s 1985 illegal Brno concert comes out on vinyl
Czechoslovakia’s communist authorities kept a tight control of all
aspects of life, including the arts, and of course, rock music. Only
officially sanctioned artists were allowed to perform publicly or record
albums. But some people had the courage to defy the system and organize
illegal concerts. In 1985, a group of rock fans in Brno staged an illegal
concert by the legendary singer Nico whose recording, only now, is about to
be released on vinyl. More
Olympic House in London to highlight Czech arts, culture & sport
Organisers have unveiled plans for the Czech Olympic House in the area of
Islington in London which will serve as a hub for thousands of visitors
including, of course, sports fans during the upcoming summer Olympics. But
the aim of the venue will not only be to meet Czech and other competitors
(for example Usain Bolt) but also to present the Czech Republic in a modern
light. The overall design was inspired by a famous abstract work by painter
František Kupka, and the space itself will show works by contemporary
Czech artists including David Černý, Michael Rittstein and others. More
Party game challenges players to change lousy lifestyles
You’ve just had a tough day at work, your family is making more and more
demands, you’re smoking and drinking too much and if you’re not careful
you could wind up dead. Sound dire? Well certainly – but only in real
life. Here, we’re talking about your character in a new Czech game; one
where players compete to change their lifestyles or else. More
Week of Charter 77 marks 35-year-anniversary of the anti-communist human rights manifesto
This week marks the 35-year-anniversary of the founding of Charter 77, an
informal civic initiative against the communist regime. Many of its
signatories would later become important figures in post-communist Czech
society, such as philosopher and playwright Václav Havel, who was elected
the country’s first president after the revolution. Now, the anniversary
of the charter is being honored in Prague with a week-long commemoration,
the Week of Charter 77. More
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