The protest has been described by some as the largest in the country since the fall of communism. AFP
The protest has been described by some as the largest in the country since the fall of communism. AFP
The protest has been described by some as the largest in the country since the fall of communism. AFP
The protest has been described by some as the largest in the country since the fall of communism. AFP

Czech protesters demand billionaire prime minister steps down


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Tens of thousands of Czechs hit the streets on Tuesday to demand the resignation of billionaire prime minister Andrej Babis over what they say are conflicts of interest.

Their accusations involve his former business empire and an investigation into a decade-old EU subsidy.

Organisers estimated 120,000 people protested in Prague's central Wenceslas Square, making it one of the largest demonstrations since the Velvet Revolution ended Communist rule in 1989.

Protests against Mr Babis have grown since the end of April when Czech police ended investigations into whether he illegally received a €2 million (Dh8.27m) EU subsidy for a farm and convention centre a decade ago. They recommended he face trial.

Protesters fear a newly appointed justice minister could interfere in the case, which is now in prosecutors' hands.

Mr Babis has denied wrongdoing, calling the case a political manoeuvre.

The anti-Babis movement received further impetus from a leak of preliminary audit findings by the European Commission.

It determined that Agrofert – a business empire built by the prime minister and spanning chemicals, food processing, farming and media companies – should not have had access to EU development funds in recent years.

"We will not act like it is normal that the prime minister of our country remains in such a conflict of interest that his personal problems damage the whole country," organiser Mikulas Minar told protesters.

"We are asking for the resignation of Andrej Babis."


Waving flags at Wenceslas Square, the scene for most momentous political gatherings in Czech history, protesters also carried signs saying "We've had enough", or "We don't want Babisstan".

"We no longer want to tolerate that Babis is robbing us," said Jana Tomesova, a financial adviser who travelled from the town of Pisek, about 110 kilometres south of Prague.

Mr Babis is Czech Republic's second-richest man, with $3.7 billion (Dh13.59bn) in assets, Forbes magazine says.

Mr Babis has clashed with western EU leaders over his tough anti-immigration policy but he has been more supportive of the bloc than nationalist leaders in Poland or Hungary.

Despite accusations of conflict of interest against him since he took office in 2014, his ANO party easily won the 2017 election, with 1.5 million votes.

That was almost three times more than the next closest party. Mr Babis ran on a platform to run the state with a businessman's touch and fight traditional party corruption.

ANO remains the most popular political force, although its support in a poll slipped to 28 per cent in May from 32 per cent in April.

Mr Babis shifted Agrofert into a trust fund arrangement in 2017 to comply with new Czech legislation on conflicts of interest.

But the leaked preliminary audit, subject to comments by the Czech authorities before being finalised, said the shift was an insufficient separation from his executive powers, because he was the founder and beneficiary of the trust funds.

If confirmed, the audit will be troublesome for him politically and for Agrofert financially, as funds received might have to be returned.

Mr Babis has rejected the findings.

Meanwhile, the head of the Greens party in the European Parliament on Tuesday urged EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to investigate claims that the Czech Republic was providing illegal subsidies to companies linked to Mr Babis.

The Greens said they feared Agrofert might have received more than €10 million (Dh4.1m) in subsidies from the Prague government, which "might lead to a distortion of competition in the EU single market".

The European Commission was not immediately available for a comment.

Company%20profile
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The biog

Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer

Marital status: Single

Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran

Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food

Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish

Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sweet%20Tooth
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

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While you're here
The specs

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Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

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Section 375

Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Meera Chopra & Rahul Bhat

Director: Ajay Bahl

Producers: Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak & SCIPL

Rating: 3.5/5

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Muguruza's singles career in stats

WTA titles 3

Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)

Wins / losses 293 / 149

UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

'Nope'
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Arrogate's winning run

1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016

2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016

3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016

4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016

5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016

6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017

7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017

UAE v United States, T20 International Series

Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.

1st match: Friday, 2pm

2nd match: Saturday, 2pm

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat

USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh

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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO:

Second Test

Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am​​ daily​​​​​ at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Entrance is free

Eyasses squad

Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)

Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)  

Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)

Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)

Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)

Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)

Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)         

Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)

Match info

Uefa Nations League A Group 4

England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')

Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE