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With the huge Colours music festival, Ostrava is currently the focus of the arts scene in the Czech Republic. But it’s not just about bands: The event’s Melting Pot is a thriving discussion forum that gives festivalgoers a rare opportunity to interact with eminent speakers from around the world.

A fresh-killed tiger, tiger skins and pelts of other big cats, as well as frozen bodies of various protected animal species were discovered during police raids that recently took place around the Czech Republic. Three men have been charged with unlawful treatment of protected wildlife.

This year’s edition of the Colours of Ostrava music festival is now underway. The four-day extravaganza is bringing pop stars as well as noteworthy names from countless other genres to a spectacular post-industrial venue in the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Prague’s old-world beauty and relatively low production costs have made it a popular destination for filmmakers. Amateur photographer Musa Bektash is going behind the lens to put the scenes of many famous movies in context.

Labour and Social Affairs Minister Petr Krčál announced his resignation on Tuesday after facing accusations of plagiarism. He is the second minister to resign on these grounds in the course of just one week.

Extreme weather conditions, such as the current droughts, are likely to become a regular feature in the Czech Republic in the future. But scientists say the Czech government is not doing enough to address the problem. In an open letter addressed to Czech politicians, experts urge lawmakers to step up their efforts in dealing with water management and drought.

Czech politicians have welcomed the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki, with Prime Minister Babiš calling it a breakthrough in bilateral relations that will open dialogue on many burning issues. However political analysts predict that the new relationship may bring trying times for Europe. Commentator Daniel Anýž says the two leaders clearly have a common interest in a weak European Union.

The Czech Republic has rejected Italy’s request for EU members to share out some 450 asylum seekers rescued at sea. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Italy’s decision to admit more migrants went against the agreement reached at the last EU summit and stressed that Europe must send out a clear signal that its doors were closed to further asylum seekers.

Donald Trump has made headlines this week by calling on America’s NATO allies to increase their defence spending. His words have met with a mixed response here in the Czech Republic, with some acceptance that armaments purchases must be stepped up – but questions surrounding the speed and focus of such spending.

Many businesses and economists complain that the number of graduates in the Czech labour force is consistently too low. Data from the Ministry of Education shows that nearly 60 percent of bachelor students in the Czech Republic are not finishing their degree. What are reasons for this high drop-out rate?