News: Saturday, May 11th, 2024

Postal voting for Czechs living abroad awaiting final approval

The introduction of postal voting for Czechs living abroad is awaiting final approval in the lower house. The voting could take place later this month. The second reading of the bill lasted for two days due to filibustering by the opposition, taking approximately 20 hours.

The coalition government wants the bill passed before the next parliamentary elections in autumn 2025, saying it would strengthen Czech citizens' right to vote by providing them with more options. However, the opposition fears that votes could be manipulated or interfered with if sent by mail.

Jane Goodall names Prague Zoo’s newest baby gorilla

The Prague Zoo has announced that the baby gorilla born in its care roughly a month ago is a female. She was given the name Gaia, which means Mother Earth.

The name of the baby cub was chosen by the British primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, who spent decades studying chimpanzees. Dr. Goodall baptised the gorilla at a ceremony in Prague Zoo on Saturday in front of hundreds of visitors.

A day earlier, the world-famous ethologist delivered a lecture at the Czech University of Life Sciences.

Annual Memory of the Nation charity run takes place in Prague

An annual fund-raising run for the Memory of the Nation institute took place at Prague’s Hvězda park on Saturday. The money raised will go towards recording interviews with eye-witnesses to major events in modern Czech history, including those who fought against Nazism and Communism, or fell victim to those regimes.

At the beginning of May, the charity run took place in Pilsen and in the following days it will take place in otehr places, including Olomouc, Brno, Ostrava, Ústí nad Labem and Jihlava. Last year, the event raised CZK 1.6 million.

Maker Fair innovation showcase kicks off in Prague

The annual innovation showcase Maker Fair got underway at Prague’s Exhibition Grounds on Saturday with more 200 engineers, scientists, artists, and DIY enthusiasts presenting their works. The event, which is now in its seventh year, features lectures, workshops, and presentations of cutting-edge technologies. Last year it attracted some 10,000 visitors.

Rammstein to perform in Prague this weekend

German band Rammstein will perform two concerts at Prague’s Letňany Airport on Saturday and Sunday launching their European tour. The organizers expect 60,000 people to attend each of the shows. The legendary band last performed in Prague two years ago.

Czechia beats Finland 1-0 in first game of Ice Hockey World Championship

The opening day of the Ice Hockey World Championships in Prague and Ostrava saw victories for Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and Czechia. The Czech hosts defeated Finland 1-0 in a shootout at Prague O2 Arena, with Ondřej Kaše scoring the game-winning goal. Lukáš Dostál had 21 saves and four more in the shootout. The Czech ice hockey team will next face Norway on Saturday evening.

Weather forecast

Sunday will be mostly sunny with day temperatures ranging between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius.