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How healthy is the Czech Republic's health care system? Not very, according to a new Europe-wide study by a consumer body called the Health Consumer Powerhouse. It ranks the Czech Republic 22nd in the 25-member European Union. The study takes into account five areas - patients' rights and information, waiting time for treatment, results of health care, the "generosity" of public healthcare systems, and access to medicines. Dita Asiedu reports:

Sales of condoms in the Czech Republic have fallen quite dramatically, according to figures just released: around ten percent fewer condoms were sold between May 2005 and April 2006 than in the same period two years earlier. What are the reasons for this evident fall in condom use? And what are the possible consequences? Dr Petr Weiss, one of the country's leading sex therapists, elaborates on the issue:

It began as a rumour, but is now beginning to take shape. The United States, it seems, is serious about plans to build controversial new missile bases in Central Europe. The Americans reportedly have their eyes on a number of potential locations, and several Czech politicians have already given the idea their support. But the timing of the project could not be less fortunate - with so much uncertainty over the future government.

Fifteen years ago, on June 27th, 1991, commander general Eduard Vorobyev headed east from Prague to Kyiv. A year and a half after the Velvet Revolution, he was the last Soviet soldier to leave Czechoslovak territory after 23 years of military occupation.

The Czech Republic regularly criticizes human rights abuses in places like Cuba and Belarus. However the Czechs now find themselves the subject of criticism: the United States says some North Koreans in the Czech Republic are being exploited by Czech employers - in tandem with the North Korean embassy - and are forced to work in slave-like conditions.

After three long weeks of negotiations, the Civic Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Greens have just signed an agreement to form a government. But the centre-right coalition faces an uphill battle; one seat short of a majority, it cannot win a vote of confidence without the support of the Social Democrats. So, does the coalition agreed on Monday have a real chance of governing? Dita Asiedu reports:

The streets and squares of Prague were turned into temporary laboratories and research centres this weekend for a project called "Science in the Streets." Organised for the second year running by the Czech scientific body Ceska Hlava, or Czech Brain, it's an attempt to attract more young people to scientific careers.

A new book by former president Vaclav Havel has been a big hit with Czech readers, making the best-seller chart within days of its publication. Available only in Czech thus far, Prosim Strucne—which can be translated as "Briefly, please"—may not be what readers expect from the former Czech president.

The mercury's rising here in the Czech Republic, with maximum daytime temperatures sitting comfortably at 30 degrees Celsius for days on end, and thunderstorms becoming a regular feature of the evenings. Pubs and ice-cream salesmen might be rejoicing in the tropical weather, but those people wilting in stuffy offices or baking in cars are of course less enthusiastic. Rob Cameron reports.

The Czech football team are on their way home from the World Cup in Germany, after going out in the group stage. There was great optimism here in the Czech Republic when they beat the USA in their opening game. Surely, people thought, they cannot fail to qualify for the knock-out stages. But fail they did, after losing to Ghana, and then being beaten by Italy in their final group game in Hamburg on Thursday afternoon. Where did it all go wrong for the Czech Republic?