Retired Czech army general Pavel wins presidential election
PRAGUE — (AP) — Petr Pavel, a retired army general, defeated populist billionaire Andrej Babis in a runoff vote Saturday to become the new Czech president. With the ballots from 99.5% of polling stations counted by the Czech Statistics Office, Pavel had 58.2% of the vote compared with 42.8% for Babis. “We have to learn how to communicate with each other.”Babis conceded defeat and congratulated Pavel on his victory. The president picks the prime minister after a general election, one of the office’s key responsibilities, and appoints members of the central bank. Losing the race to Pavel was another major defeat for Babis 68, a former prime minister.
wftv.comPopulist billionaire vies with ex-general for top Czech post
PRAGUE — (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. Three other candidates pledged their support for Pavel ahead of the two-day ballot starting Friday. Zeman divided the nation with his pro-Russia stance — until the Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine — and support for closer ties with China. A POLITICAL ROOKIE GENERALPavel, 61, has presented himself as the right person for the post in hard times amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Ukraine war was a core campaign issue.
wftv.comCzech government faces no-confidence vote in Parliament
PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech coalition government on Tuesday faced a parliamentary no-confidence vote over opposition claims of incompetence. The government dismissed the accusations and questioned the timing of the vote, which will take place before the second round of the presidential election. Czech lawmakers were debating the no-confidence motion, with a vote expected late Tuesday or on Wednesday. Babis, the former prime minister, advanced on Saturday to a runoff presidential vote together with retired army Gen. Petr Pavel. The coalition has endorsed three presidential candidates before the first round, including Pavel, but they all were running as independents.
wftv.comPavel edges Babis in first round of Czech presidential vote
PRAGUE — (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. Pavel and Babis advanced to a second round of voting because none of the eight candidates seeking the country’s largely ceremonial presidency received a majority of votes in the initial round, which was held on Friday and Saturday. With the ballots from 99.9% of the polling statins counted by the Czech Statistics Office, Pavel had 35.39% of the vote compared with 35.00% for Babis. “It's such a close result that I can already see the hard work for us ahead of the second round," Pavel said. Voting in the Czech presidential election at the Czech Embassy in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, had to be interrupted for an hour because of a Russian missile attack earlier on Saturday, the Czech Foreign Ministry said.
wftv.comBabis, Pavel neck and neck in Czech presidential election
PRAGUE — (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis and his main challenger retired army Gen. Petr Pavel were running neck and neck in the first round of the Czech presidential election, according to nearly complete results on Saturday. Babis, a former prime minister, was narrowly leading with 35.7% of the vote with ballots from 95% of polling stations counted, the Czech Statistics Office said. Polls predicted that Pavel, 61, a former chairman of NATO’s military committee; and former university rector Nerudova, 44, would be Babis' main opponents. The websites of the Statistics Office and the one it uses to release election results were under DDoS cyber attacks from a pro-Russia group, the Avast antivirus company said. Voting in the Czech presidential election at the Czech Embassy in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, had to be interrupted for an hour because of a Russian missile attack earlier on Saturday, the Czech Foreign Ministry said.
wftv.comEx-PM Babis in early lead in Czech presidential election
PRAGUE — (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis was in the lead in the Czech presidential election, according to early results on Saturday. Babis, a former prime minister, had 38% of the vote with ballots from more than 50% of polling stations counted, the Czech Statistics Office said. Babis was acquitted this week in a fraud trial, which boosted his chances of winning in the first round. The websites of the Statistics Office and the one it uses to release election results were under DDoS cyber attacks from a pro-Russia group, the Avast antivirus company said. Voting in the Czech presidential election at the Czech Embassy in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, had to be interrupted for an hour because of a Russian missile attack earlier on Saturday, the Czech Foreign Ministry said.
wftv.comCzechs selecting new president to succeed Milos Zeman
PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czechs were casting ballots in the presidential election on Saturday, picking a successor to Milos Zeman in the largely ceremonial post. Populist billionaire Andrej Babis is leading a field of eight candidates in two days of voting that will be completed Saturday. Babis, a former prime minister, was acquitted this week in a fraud trial, which boosted his chances of winning in the first round of the presidential election. A court in Prague acquitted Babis, 68, on Monday of fraud charges in a $2 million case involving EU subsidies. Zeman was the first president elected by popular vote.
wftv.comCzech ex-PM Babis favorite in presidential vote's 1st round
PRAGUE — (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. With Zeman, his political ally, he espouses a strong anti-migrant rhetoric, which unites him with anti-migration champion Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister. Polls favor him to advance together with Babis to the second round of the Czech presidential election. Many see her as the Czech answer to popular Slovak President Zuzana Caputova, who became the first woman to hold the post.
wftv.comCzech ex-Premier Babis acquitted in EU funds fraud case
PRAGUE — (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. Babis pleaded not guilty and repeatedly said the charges against him were politically motivated. The ruling is a boost for Babis just days before the first round of the Czech presidential election. Babis is considered a front-runner in Friday’s election, along with retired army Gen. Petr Pavel, former chairman of NATO’s military committee, and former university rector Danuse Nerudova.
wftv.comCzech populist billionaire Babis vows to run for president
PRAGUE — (AP) — Populist billionaire Andrej Babis has announced his intention to run for the largely ceremonial post of the Czech Republic’s president. The second round between the top two finishers will take place two weeks later. Agrofert later returned the subsidy. Babis denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said the allegations against him were politically motivated. Babis denies any wrongdoing.
wftv.comCzechia's ruling coalition wins election in Senate
PRAGUE — (AP) — A senior government party in the Czech Republic linked to conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala has won an election for a third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, with the ruling coalition parties retaining a dominant position in the Senate. With all the votes counted Saturday by the Statistics Office, the Civic Democratic Party won eight of the 27 seats up for grabs in the 81-seat Senate in the two-round election. Overall, the ruling coalition parties won 18 seats in the ballot. Parliament’s lower house dominates the legislative process, but the Senate plays an important role in passing constitutional amendments and approving Constitutional Court judges. The country has donated arms, including heavy weapons, to the Ukrainian armed forces and welcomed some 430,000 refugees from Ukraine.
wftv.comFormer Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis faces fraud trial
PRAGUE — (AP) — Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis went on trial on Monday in a $2 million fraud case involving European Union subsidies. Later, Agrofert again took ownership of the farm. Agrofert later returned the subsidy. Prague’s public prosecution office completed the review of the case in March and went ahead with Babis’ indictment. Babis, a populist billionaire, denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly said the allegations against him were politically motivated.
wftv.comThousands rally in Prague against vaccination mandate
Virus Outbreak Czech Republic People wave flags and banners as they gather to protest against the governments restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)Thousands of people marched through the Czech Republic's capital on Sunday to protest against compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for certain groups and professions. Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ administration was replaced later in December by a new government formed by five parties that won October’s parliamentary election, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The new administration opposed a vaccination mandate for older people and was ready to cancel it, but didn’t rule out it might still be compulsory for some, depending on the development of the pandemic. In the nation of 10.7 million, 6.7 million are considered fully vaccinated, while over 2.8 million have received a booster shot.
wftv.comThousands protest in Prague against COVID vaccine mandate
PRAGUE — (AP) — Several thousand people marched through the Czech capital on Sunday, protesting a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for certain groups including people age 60 and over. The participants didn’t wear face coverings or follow social distancing rules despite a request by police to do so. They said they weren't against voluntary vaccination but opposed a vaccine mandate. The outgoing government released an order this week, making vaccination mandatory for the 60 and over age group, as well as medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and medical students. The coalition opposed a vaccination mandate for older people and can cancel it.
wftv.comCoronavirus infections hit new record high in Czech Republic
PRAGUE — (AP) — Coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic soared to a new record high, reaching almost 26,000 daily cases, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The daily tally hit 25,864 on Tuesday, about 3,000 more than the previous record registered on Friday. As infections soar, the government has been considering mandatory vaccination for certain groups of people, including the elderly, medical and military personnel and police officers. The latest surge has hit the country at a time of political transition following a parliamentary election in October. The new coalition said it wants to return to allowing negative tests to act as a pass for those venues and activities.
wftv.comCzechs, Slovaks target unvaccinated with new restrictions
(AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech and Slovak governments on Thursday approved new coronavirus restrictions that will come into effect next week and specifically target unvaccinated people amid a record surge of infections in both neighboring countries. There are exceptions for teenagers aged 12 to 18, people whose medical condition doesn’t allow vaccination and people who have been partially vaccinated. Vojtech said the goal of the measures that will come into force on Monday is to motivate people to get vaccinated. Prime Minister Andrej Babis said his government was inspired by similar measures imposed in the German state of Bavaria. Both, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have vaccination rates below the average of the European Union’s 27 nations.
wftv.comDaily COVID-19 infections jump in Czech Republic, Slovakia
The Health Ministry reported that the daily increase of new infections hit 7,055 on Tuesday, Nov. 9 surpassing the previous record of 6,805 set on the previous Thursday. In neighboring Czech Republic, new infections jumped to levels close to record numbers seen during previous waves, authorities said. The Slovak Health Ministry reported that the daily increase of new infections hit 7,055 on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 6,805 set last Thursday. The record daily high of 17,776 was registered on Jan 7. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have both been among EU nations hardest hit by the pandemic.
wftv.comDaily infections in Czech Republic close to record levels
Virus Outbreak Czech Republic FILE - In this May 10, 2021 file photo, woman lights a candle to commemorate victims of the COVD-19 pandemic at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic. Coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic have significantly jumped to the levels close to record numbers recorded at previous waves. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — Coronavirus infections in the Czech Republic have jumped significantly and are at levels close to record numbers seen during previous waves, authorities said Wednesday. The Czech Republic has been one of the hardest hit of the European Union’s 27 countries in the pandemic. The country has seen almost 1.84 million confirmed coronavirus infections and 31,229 deaths, 368 of them recorded in November.
wftv.comRuling party narrowly loses Czech vote; PM Babis may be out
Czech Republic Election Czech Republic's Prime Minister and leader of centrist ANO (YES) movement Andrej Babis holds his ballot at a polling station in Lovosice, Czech Republic, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — Prime Minister Andrej Babis' centrist party on Saturday narrowly lost the Czech Republic's parliamentary election, a surprise development that could mean the end of the populist billionaire's reign in power. With the votes from 99.7% of the ballot stations counted, the Czech Statistics Office said Together, a liberal-conservative three-party coalition, captured 27.7% of the vote, beating Babis' ANO (Yes) party, which won 27.2%. PRAGUE (AP) — The centrist ANO (YES) movement led by populist billionaire Andrej Babis was leading in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election, partial results suggested Saturday, despite a turbulent first term for Babis with numerous scandals. After votes from almost 30% of the country's 14,900 ballot stations were counted Saturday by the Czech Statistics Office, ANO has received 30.1% of the vote.
wftv.comScandal-tainted PM Andrej Babis in lead of Czech election
Czech Republic Election Czech Republic's Prime Minister and leader of centrist ANO (YES) movement Andrej Babis holds his ballot at a polling station in Lovosice, Czech Republic, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. Czechs begin voting in a parliamentary election with polls showing Prime Minister Andrej Babis, a populist billionaire, has a good chance of keeping his job, despite a new scandal over his financial dealings. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The centrist ANO (YES) movement led by populist billionaire Andrej Babis was leading in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election, partial results suggested Saturday, despite a turbulent first term for Babis with numerous scandals. The two-day election to fill 200 seats in the lower house of the Czech Republic’s parliament took place shortly after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reported details of Babis’ overseas financial dealings in a project dubbed the “Pandora Papers.” Babis, 67, has denied wrongdoing. He hasn’t ruled out forming a coalition with Freedom and Direct Democracy, a party that wants to lead the Czech Republic out of the EU and to hold a referendum on its NATO membership.
wftv.comPM Andrej Babis front-runner in Czech vote, despite scandals
Czech Republic Election FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 file photo, Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis speaks during the 4th Budapest Demographic Summit in Budapest, Hungary. Czechs begin voting in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Andrej Babis hit by yet another scandal hoping to retain his job. But it’s not clear if Babis will win big enough to be able to form a new coalition government. Five opposition parties have put aside their differences to create two coalitions aimed at ousting the euroskeptic prime minister from power. He invited Europe's anti-migration champion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, to attend a campaign rally.
wftv.comPandora Papers a worry for Czech PM Babis ahead of election
Czech Republic Election Preview FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2017 file photo Czech billionaire and leader of ANO 2011 political movement Andrej Babis addresses the media in Lany, Czech Republic. Here's a look at the previously hidden dealings making waves in the Czech Republic and the country's election taking place on Friday and Saturday:WHAT DID BABIS DO? “It’s obviously a reason for concern, not just for Europe, but above all for the Czech Republic, given what’s been going on in Hungary,” Lebeda said. An EU investigation found that as prime minister Babis had a conflict of interest from his former business empire. Babis went through five health ministers, and the Czech Republic has reported more than 30,400 COVID-19 deaths among a population of 10.7 million.
wftv.comPandora Papers a worry for Czech PM Babis ahead of election
Czech Republic Election Preview FILE - In this Oct. 23, 2017 file photo Czech billionaire and leader of ANO 2011 political movement Andrej Babis addresses the media in Lany, Czech Republic. Here's a look at the previously hidden dealings making waves in the Czech Republic and the country's election taking place on Friday and Saturday:WHAT DID BABIS DO? “It’s obviously a reason for concern, not just for Europe, but above all for the Czech Republic, given what’s been going on in Hungary,” Lebeda said. An EU investigation found that as prime minister Babis had a conflict of interest from his former business empire. Babis went through five health ministers, and the Czech Republic has reported more than 30,400 COVID-19 deaths among a population of 10.7 million.
wftv.comA look at world leaders named in the Pandora Papers
A global investigation has revealed how the rich and powerful have being hiding their investments in mansions, exclusive beachfront property, yachts and other assets for the past quarter-century. Collectively these assets are worth trillions of dollars. The investigation, dubbed the Pandora Papers, was published late Sunday and involved 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in 117 countries.
news.yahoo.comPandora Papers: Files allegedly link world leaders to secret wealth
A massive leak of financial documents was published by several major news organizations on Sunday that allegedly tie world leaders to secret stores of wealth, including King Abdullah of Jordan, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
news.yahoo.comPresident Biden hits the road to tout infrastructure proposal as Democrats remain divided
President Biden will travel to Michigan Tuesday to rally public support for the bipartisan infrastructure plan and his Build Back Better agenda as infighting between progressive and moderate Democrats continues. Ed O'Keefe reports.
news.yahoo.comLeaked 'Pandora' records show how the powerful shield assets
Pandora Papers FILE - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is shown ahead of a meeting at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, in this Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, file photo. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is one of 330 current and former politicians identified as beneficiaries of the secret accounts. The report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists involved 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in 117 countries. Many of the accounts were designed to evade taxes and conceal assets for other shady reasons, according to the report. Khan, the Pakistani prime minister, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
wftv.comLeaked records open a 'Pandora' box of financial secrets
Pandora Papers FILE - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is shown ahead of a meeting at the EU Charlemagne building in Brussels, in this Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, file photo. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is one of 330 current and former politicians identified as beneficiaries of the secret accounts. The report released Sunday by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists involved 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in 117 countries. The more than 330 current and former politicians identified as beneficiaries of the secret accounts include Jordan’s King Abdullah II, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, and associates of both Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Khan, the Pakistani prime minister, is not accused of any wrongdoing.
wftv.comNewly-published Pandora Papers expose secret financial dealings of global politicians and the ultra rich
A massive document leak is revealing the secret financial dealings of some of the world's richest people and most powerful leaders. According to The Washington Post, the so-called Pandora Papers detail the "opaque financial universe where global elite shield riches from taxes, probes and accountability." The Post's investigative reporter Debbie Cenziper joins CBSN host Elise Preston with more on what she and her colleagues discovered while examining the documents.
news.yahoo.comLeaked records open a "Pandora" box of financial secrets
Jordan's King Abdullah II is one of 330 current and former politicians identified as beneficiaries of the secret accounts. The report released Sunday by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists involved 600 journalists from 150 media outlets in117 countries. Many of the accounts were designed to evade taxes and conceal assets for other shady reasons, according to the report. The records date back to the 1970s, but most of the files span from 1996 to 2020. Buying the company shares instead of the building saved the Blairs more than $400,000 in property taxes, the investigation found.
wftv.comCentral European leaders worry over Afghan migration 'wave'
Central European leaders on Friday voiced concern over what they said was a potential migration rush from Afghanistan as U.S. and NATO forces pull out from that country. Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki Morawiecki said a NATO troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could trigger a migration influx into Europe, on top of a steady stream of migrant arrivals from Africa.
news.yahoo.com5 dead, hundreds injured by rare tornado in Czech Republic
Czech Republic Europe Weather View of the wreckage after a Tornado hit the village of Moravska Nova Ves in the Hodonin district, South Moravia, Czech Republic, on Thursday, June 24, 2021. A rare tornado hit towns and villages in southeast part of the country, injuring some 150 people and damaging hundreds of houses. (Vaclav Salek/CTK via AP) (Vaclav Salek)PRAGUE — (AP) — A rare tornado believed to be the most devastating twister in the Czech Republic’s modern history has torn through country's southeast, killing at least five people and injured hundreds, rescue services and police said on Friday. The tornado touched down late Thursday as strong thunderstorms hit the entire country. Hrusky Deputy Mayor Marek Babisz told Czech public radio that half of his town was almost completely wiped out.
wftv.comEU threatens to sue itself for going soft on strongmen leaders
The EU effectively threatened to sue itself on Thursday as MEPs said they would take the European Commission to court unless it takes punitive action against the bloc’s authoritarian leaders. The European Parliament attacked the commission for not triggering new clauses that tie huge amounts of EU cash to respect for the rule of law. It passed a resolution, aimed at the illiberal governments of EU members Poland and Hungary, with a large majority of 506 with 150 against and 28 abstentions. It is
news.yahoo.comCzech coalition government survives no-confidence vote
Czech Republic Politics Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis addresses lawmakers during a parliament session in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 3, 2021. The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis is facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote during the session. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis survived on Thursday a no-confidence vote in Parliament over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. But the Communists refused to vote against the government, left the lower house and didn't participate in the debate and the vote.. The Czech Republic has been one of the hardest-hit European countries by the pandemic.
wftv.comCzech minority coalition government faces no-confidence vote
Czech Republic Politics Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis addresses lawmakers during a parliament session in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, June 3, 2021. The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis is facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote during the session. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (Petr David Josek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis was facing a parliamentary no-confidence vote Thursday over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Five opposition parties also requested the vote as prosecutors are looking into whether to indict Babis over alleged fraud involving European Union funds. The Czech Republic has been one of the hardest-hit European countries by the pandemic.
wftv.comCzech coalition government survives no-confidence vote
The Czech coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis survived on Thursday a no-confidence vote in Parliament over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Five opposition parties also requested the vote as prosecutors are looking into whether to indict Babis over alleged fraud involving EU funds in a separate case and a recently published European Union report concluded that Babis has a conflict of interest over EU subsidies involving his former business empire. Babis denies any wrongdoing.
news.yahoo.com4th Czech health minister resigns since start of pandemic
Czech Republic Politics Member of Czech Parliament Adam Vojtech poses in Parliament building in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Czech Health Minister Petr Arenberger will resign and he will be replaced with former minister Adam Vojtech who stepped down last year, Prime Minister Andrej Babis has told journalists on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (Vit Simanek/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT (Vit Simanek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech Republic on Tuesday lost its fourth health minister since the coronavirus pandemic struck last year. Babis said he planned to reappoint Adam Vojtech, who was health minister when the pandemic hit the country in March 2020, to the post. Infections are falling in the Czech Republic.
wftv.com4th Czech health minister resigns since start of pandemic
Czech Republic Politics Member of Czech Parliament Adam Vojtech poses in Parliament building in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Czech Health Minister Petr Arenberger will resign and he will be replaced with former minister Adam Vojtech who stepped down last year, Prime Minister Andrej Babis has told journalists on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (Vit Simanek/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT (Vit Simanek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech Republic on Tuesday lost its fourth health minister since the coronavirus pandemic struck last year. Babis said he planned to reappoint Adam Vojtech, who was health minister when the pandemic hit the country in March 2020, to the post. Infections are falling in the Czech Republic.
wftv.com4th Czech health minister resigns since start of pandemic
Czech Republic Politics Member of Czech Parliament Adam Vojtech poses in Parliament building in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Czech Health Minister Petr Arenberger will resign and he will be replaced with former minister Adam Vojtech who stepped down last year, Prime Minister Andrej Babis has told journalists on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (Vit Simanek/CTK via AP) SLOVAKIA OUT (Vit Simanek)PRAGUE — (AP) — The Czech Republic on Tuesday lost its fourth health minister since the coronavirus pandemic struck last year. Babis said he planned to reappoint Adam Vojtech, who was health minister when the pandemic hit the country in March 2020, to the post. Infections are falling in the Czech Republic.
wftv.comCzech National Museum exhibits masks made during pandemic
Visitors view en exhibition of face masks at the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, May 28, 2020. With the coronavirus pandemic still not over yet, the Czech National Museum in Prague has put on display the most visible symbol of the country's response to it, face masks. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)PRAGUE The National Museum in Prague has put on display the most visible symbol of the Czech Republic's response to the coronavirus - face masks. If we want to leave a legacy for future generations, this collection of face masks says only positive things about us, National Museum spokeswoman Lenka Bouckova said Thursday. The Nation Museum exhibition is set to expand with future donations when people no longer need to use masks.
NYSE floor reopens, traders buy shares of Crocs, airlines
The New York Stock Exchange reopened the trading floor Tuesday, though with plexiglass shields and far fewer traders. U.S. restaurant traffic is starting to return as states push to get back to normal. About 93,000 U.S. chain restaurant locations reopened between May 10 and May 17. Plans by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to resume flights to China next month have become entangled in a dispute between the U.S. and Chinese governments. UBS upgraded Southwest Airlines to buy from neutral on better prospects for a recovery in domestic travel.
Six shot dead in Czech hospital
An attacker shot dead six people sitting in a waiting room at a hospital in the northeastern Czech city of Ostrava on Tuesday, the government said. Police said on Twitter they were still searching for the assailant and posted a picture of a suspect without giving a name. The shooting took place at the University Hospital in Ostrava soon after 7 a.m. (0600 GMT), Interior Minister Jan Hamacek told Reuters. Prime Minister Andrej Babis told Czech Television the shootings occurred at close range in the waiting room, while Health Minister Adam Vojtech said six people had died. Hamacek and Babis were headed to Ostrava, 350 km (217 mi) east of the capital Prague.
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