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Many are familiar with the work of one of the greatest Czech composers, Bohuslav Martinu. Martinu wrote a number of operas in a career that spanned more than half a century. But he wrote only one tragic opera, "The Greek Passion." A new translation of "The Greek Passion" premiered at Prague's historic National Theatre on Thursday night, just in time for Easter.

Lety in south Bohemia is once again in the news - after previously promising to buy a pig farm on the site of a concentration camp where over 300 Romanies died during the war, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek said this week it will be a task for the next government. But why this change of policy?

We often speak about the cut and thrust of politics, of politicians battling it out and crossing swords, but on Thursday Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek literally threw down the gauntlet to his Civic Democrat rival Mirek Topolanek. Mr Paroubek chose a rather flamboyant gesture to challenge his rival to a series of TV debates.

It's exactly 50 days now until polling stations open in the Czech Republic, and the parties are gearing up for what looks like a tough campaign. Billboards are springing up across the country, and politicians are touring towns and villages to drum up support.

Almost everyone knows about seeing-eye dogs. However, many people are unaware that dogs also can be valuable assistants to people with disabilities. Also, most people would be shocked to see a dog, cat, or any other animal for that matter, in a hospital. However, the use of canine therapy and canine assistants, both globally and in the Czech Republic, is one the rise. There is also a drive to introduce canine therapy and canine assistants to the next generation of health care service providers.

Czech Centres are to be found from New York to Moscow, promoting Czech culture and providing a focus for local Czech communities. Now - perhaps surprisingly - a Czech Centre is opening here in Prague, just metres from the city's Estates Theatre. Jan Bondy is the director of Czech Centres. I asked him why Prague needs one.

There has been yet another new development in the ongoing battle over rent control in the Czech Republic. Only a month after a law on the phasing out of rent control was finally passed, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the owners of apartment buildings can sue the Czech state over losses they have suffered due to rent regulation.

Each spring the Czech Republic's Design Centre - with offices in both in Prague and Brno - runs a prestigious competition in the Czech Republic, honouring excellence in Czech design. Products recognised in the past have included cutting-edge furniture and modern office systems. This year's winner was a little bit different.

In 2003, Prague Mayor Pavel Bem told International Olympic Committee members that his city would put forth its candidacy for a future summer Olympiad. Despite a wave of criticism, the city plans to submit its application in July 2007 to host either the 2016 or the 2020 summer games. And now Pavel Bem says that there may be a national referendum on the Olympic question.

It's less than two months before Czechs go to the polls in an eagerly anticipated parliamentary election. Those of you living in the Czech Republic may have noticed the faces of Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek or Civic Democratic leader Mirek Topolanek smiling down from billboards, but less noticeable are the two dozen or so smaller parties competing in the election.