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This Tuesday it's 120 years since Bedrich Smetana's cycle of symphonic poems, 'Ma vlast'- or 'My Country'- was premiered in Prague. It was a significant moment in the history of Czech music and My Country has been performed regularly ever since in concert halls the world over. Alena Skodova has more:

Every year a million people die of hepatitis B around the globe. The disease is caused by a virus and spreads in a similar way to HIV, only the hepatitis virus is stronger and the disease can be a hundred times more contagious than HIV. Until recently there was no cure available for the 300,000,000 million hepatitis sufferers around the world - only vaccination. The good news is that a team of Czech scientists headed by Professor Antonin Holy have invented a revolutionary drug that they say actually cures the symptoms of the condition.

Over the weekend Czechs across that country went to the polls to elect members of the Senate and local administration. The governing coalition parties lost their majority in the Senate, while in the regions independent candidates swept the boards.

An unusual requiem mass took place on All-Souls Day in the Trinity Church close to the Vltava in Prague, remembering all those who lost their lives in rivers across the country, especially the seventeen victims of the August floods. The mass was organised by an interesting club with a very long tradition.

The weekend elections clearly revealed a new trend among Czech voters - a turn away from political parties and a new confidence in non-affiliated candidates. Independent voters have suddenly become a force to be reckoned with, both in the Senate and in local government. In the process of decision making, it will be the independents who will be in a position to tip the scales. This has made the Czech political scene slightly less transparent and political analysts say that while they understand the public's dissatisfaction with party politics the

Following the destructive floods in August, the Czech Chamber of Architects called on the country's experts to design flood-proof and economical houses to be entered in a competition called "Economical House 2002". The winning competition entries are now exhibited in the Chamber of Architects' building in Prague, where they will be available for public viewing until the end of the year. Dita Asiedu reports:

The Czech coalition government has just announced a brand new health plan it says is needed to allow Czech citizens to live longer and healthier lives. The broad, long-term plan is anything if not ambitious, presenting steps on improving public health in everything from child care to reducing the number of smokers in the country, lowering the spread of infectious diseases and to even trying to reduce the suicide rate. But, as Jan Velinger reports, many critics see the plan as meddling in peoples' private lives, something many Czechs, having experienced

The Czech Republic is famous the world over for its beer, and the Czechs drink more beer per head than any other nation in the world, with the average person downing over 300 half-litres a year. Even though most Czech pubs only serve one brand of beer, you are still offered two different strengths of pivo (beer) - ten degree or the more expensive twelve degree.

By ratifying the Kyoto Protocol in 2001 the Czech Republic has committed itself to reversing the damaging effects of climate change. A major element of the Kyoto Protocol is the enhancement of energy efficiency and conservation.

The Czech government has approved an amendment to the social welfare law which should encourage people on the dole to seek work. The move is part of a broader effort to save money as the government struggles to lower a staggering state deficit.