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According to a recent medical survey, the number of syphilis cases in the Czech Republic has quadrupled over the past ten years. The main reasons cited are increased tourism and the influx of foreign nationals into the country since the Velvet Revolution. reports:

A Staffordshire terrier bit off and swallowed his German owner's nose on Saturday in the latest of a spate of attacks that has revived the debate on dangerous breeds in the country. Less than a week ago, two pit bull terriers mauled a six-year-old boy to death in Hamburg, forcing the German government to impose a ban on the breeding of all dangerous dogs. But across the border in the Czech Republic, there is little legislation to deal with the problem, a situation some believe could be a tragedy waiting to happen. has this report:

The 13th Sokol slet, or rally, ended in Prague on Sunday. The mass event, bringing together members of the Sokol sports organization from all over the Czech Republic as well as from abroad, even from countries as distant as Australia, was more than just a performance of mass calisthenics, it was a demonstration of unity and, in spite of all odds, of patriotic determination to keep national traditions alive, says .

A petition signed by 400 people has forced officials in the North Moravian town of Prostejov to examine more closely the problem of coexistence with a community of Romanies living in the vicinity of the town's biggest housing estate. Local people complain of untidiness, noise and frequent thefts, but deny accusations of racism. has this report:

Prague will be the venue of a very Czech event this weekend, namely the Sokol slet. 25,000 members of the Sokol organization will come together for a variety of mass calisthenics performed in Prague's huge Strahov stadium. The event is the result of a year of training for various groups of people - from primary school pupils to pensioners. And it is an attempt to bring back an old national tradition, which says, has not been easy.

The German government has launched a campaign to fight child prostitution in the Czech Republic, with leaflets and posters warning of the harsh sentences that await those who have sex with children either in Germany or the Czech Republic. has this report:

Czech pavilions at world Expos seem to suffer from bad luck. After the recent problems in Hannover, where the Czech Republic's pavilion was disastrously misnamed the Chechen pavilion by the organisers, here in Prague, the most popular pavilion from Expo 58 has become dilapidated and has received no help to date. has the story:

The Austrian government says it must be involved in the final discussions on the launch of the Temelin nuclear power plant in South Bohemia. The Austrian Minister of Agriculture and Environment Wolfgang Molterer says Temelin mustn't be started up until all the problems concerning security and protection of the environment have been resolved. Earlier today Radio Prague´s spoke to David Zelinger, from the on-line news department of Austria 's TV and radio network ORF. Mr. Zelinger believes the main problem for the Austrians is not the issue of

More and more young teachers in the Czech Republic are quitting their jobs. The reason for this is their low rate of pay. So low in fact, that a recent OECD study has shown that Czech teachers are the worst paid in Europe. has this report: