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Austrian environmentalists opposed to the launch of the Czech Republic's Temelin nuclear power plant announced on Monday that they were halting their regular blockades of the Czech-Austrian border, in what they claimed was a bid to improve dialogue between the two countries. The announcement looks more like capitulation from Prague--both Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and even environmentally-friendly President Vaclav Havel said they wouldn't be forced to the negotiating table by the blockades. So how much public sympathy is there in Austria

How would you react if you were flying to Greece for your well-earned annual holiday and your plane had to turn back because of one drunk and obnoxious tourist? Well, this is exactly what happened last Friday to a whole group of Czech tourists flying from Brno to Greece. has the story:

The first seminars concerning the IMF/World Bank begin in Prague this week, bringing with them thousands of protesters from all around the world. But how do the people of Prague feel about their center-stage role, the two weeks that lie ahead of them, and the policies of the IMF itself? went out onto the streets to find out:

The next time you pass the southern wall of Prague Castle's St.Vitus Cathedral, don't forget to look up. Friday saw the unveiling of a completely restored mosaic dating back to the year 1371, in a ceremony attended by Czech President Vaclav Havel. has this report:

Muslims are fighting for registration in the Czech Republic. Czech law states that a religious group has to gather a minimum of 10,000 signatures to be registered as a church. However, there are more than 20,000 Muslims in the Czech Republic, so what's stopping them from being registered as a recognised religion? Well many Muslim people in the Czech Republic are reluctant to identify themselves publicly. has more:

Despite mass protests and blockades of roads, petrol stations and oil refineries across Western Europe this week, Czech drivers seemed to have remained calm and put up with ever-higher fuel prices. However, they were eventually moved to action, but their plans were rather short-lived. has the details:

The Czech Republic is one of the many countries in the world where bribery and other forms of corruption are rife. On Wednesday Peter Eigen, chairman of the Transparency International organisation, unveiled the Year 2000 Corruption Perceptions Index. Among the 90 countries surveyed, the Czech Republic came about half way--in 42nd place. has more:

Last night, just ten days before the IMF/World Bank meeting is due to begin in Prague, four potential protestors, three Dutch people and an American, were turned away at the Czech border. On Tuesday, a group of activists travelling to the Czech Republic to demonstrate against the Temelin nuclear power station were also stopped on the border. It's clear the Czech authorities are deadly serious about preventing Prague from becoming another Seattle during the IMF meeting. But groups opposed to the IMF are outraged. RP's spoke with Jan Haverkamp,

The Museum of Decorative arts in Prague will open a new permanent exhibition at the end of the year. What seems like a bold plan is in fact a must, the museum's director, Helena Koenigsmarkova, told . She further explained that the last time a new permanent exhibition was introduced was back in 1985, and that it's each director's dream to renew the museum entirely at least once in his or her term.

Protests over increasing fuel prices are spreading throughout Europe. Although Czech people have yet to take action over this issue, a recent opinion poll shows that more than ninety percent of those asked support the protestors, and believe that their complaints are justified. Radio Prague's has been out and about asking people how they feel about the current fuel crisis: