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A multiple tram collision occurred in Prague's Modrany district on Monday morning, involving a total of 5 trams. The accident left 18 passengers injured, some of them seriously, and has also raised questions about the safety of Prague's aging fleet of trams. Alena Skodova has the details:

Although according to the calendar it was still officially spring, a heat-wave hit the Czech Republic last week with temperatures shooting up to the mid-30s. Every year Czech weathermen record more and more of what they call "tropical days", that is days with maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. For at least the past decade the Czech Republic has been experiencing fewer ice days - days when the temperature stays below freezing point. Is this only a random quirk of nature or a more profound change of the country's climate?

Representatives of the Czech Republic and other candidates for EU membership are confident that their bids to join the union in 2004 are well on track. During the European Union's summit in Seville over the weekend, the leaders of the 15 member states assured the EU hopefuls that they were determined to conclude membership negotiations in December and have the accession treaties signed in the spring of 2003. But despite the declaration it was clear that disputes within the EU over the costs of enlargement are far from resolved. One such

As every devoted mushroom-picker in the Czech Republic will tell you, the mushroom-picking season has begun. Even though experts say that due to increasing pollution it's not too healthy to eat them, mushroom-picking still remains a kind of Czech national pastime. But those who want to sell mushrooms are currently facing a problem: they have to have their eyes tested. Alena Skodova has more:

And now some news about a writing competition that listeners here in the Czech Republic or in Britain might be interested in taking part in. But you'll have to be quick, because the deadline is in just ten days. It has been organised by the British Czech and Slovak Association, based in London, which tries to foster understanding between the British and the Czech and Slovak nations. Barbara Day from the Prague Society for International Cooperation told David Vaughan about the competition.

And now, moving on to something lighter, but still connected - albeit tenuously - to the elections. As you've just heard, Czechs went to the polls a week ago, in an election which saw the Communist Party clinch their biggest share of the vote since 1989. Just four hours after the polling stations closed, however, a bell in Prague's St Vitus cathedral fell silent - which the more superstitious people of this country saw as an omen of impending doom. Dita Asiedu has more:

Less than a week after the country's general elections, talks on forming a governing coalition between the Social Democrats and the centre right grouping made up of the centrist Christian Democrats and the Liberal Freedom Union have moved into a higher gear. Daniela Lazarova has the story.

June 20th is the United Nations' World Refugee Day, and this year is the third time the day has been marked. To draw attention to the plight of the millions of refugees around the world, an exhibition of painting and sculpture - concentrating on themes of flight and exile - is due to open in mid-July in the Imperial Stables at Prague Castle. Alena Skodova has the details:

What is behind the dismal failure of the right wing parties in last weekend's parliamentary elections and who is to blame for it? Questions debated across the country - to which the public, political observers and politicians themselves have different answers. Vaclav Klaus, the once supremely confident leader of the Civic Democrats, has received almost as much media attention as the winners of the election. Over the past four days, journalists have dogged Mr. Klaus' footsteps asking just one question: Mr. Klaus, when are you going to resign?

The Czech Republic is currently experiencing a heat wave. Whilst just a few days ago temperatures reached a maximum of only 23 degrees Celsius, this week has seen them shoot up to the low 30's. Those on holiday are flocking to swimming pools and their holiday cottages whilst workers try to get through the days with the help of fans, open windows and numerous breaks. Ambulances are rushing to people who have collapsed and casualty wards have their hands full attending to patients suffering from heat exhaustion. Whilst restaurants are losing business,