Current Affairs | All stories

The Czech government announced record first-quarter economic growth figures this week suggesting that the economy is growing faster than ever before. Jiri Havel, deputy prime minister for the economy, said the economy grew at a rate of 8.2 percent in the first three months of this year - driven mainly by big foreign investors such as carmakers. Jan Sykora is head of the investment bank Wood and Co.

One of the most famous attractions of Prague's Old Town is the former Jewish Ghetto, a witness to the long and rich Jewish history of the Czech capital, and also to centuries of discrimination. The gradual emancipation of Prague's Jewish population began with the Enlightenment in the 18th century. As some Prague Jews grew wealthier and more self-confident, as well as more secular, the first portraits began to appear. Some depicted the spiritual leaders of Prague's Jewish society but others showed well off members of the community and their families.

This week the European Union's Statistical Office, Eurostat, published a report on the state of the family in the 25 member states. From the survey, the Czech Republic comes across as average with one exception - the divorce rate - which was found to be higher than in all other EU members except Lithuania.

The punk rock band The Sex Pistols outraged many in 1970s Britain with their foul language and obnoxious behaviour. Their clothing - held together with safety pins, often adorned with offensive images and slogans and sometimes simply adapted bondage wear - was also controversial. It was made by Vivienne Westwood, who is now one of the world's most respected fashion designers. In Prague for a show on Wednesday night, she recalled the impact of her punk clothing.

Could one of the biggest foreign investments in the Czech Republic since the fall of communism be under threat? Plans by the South Korean car manufacturing giant Hyundai to build a major plant in the small town of Nosovice have been beset by last minute problems. On Monday the South Korean news agency Jonhap unexpectedly reported that Hyundai management had decided to postpone construction work on the plant. That is even though they approved the investment just a few days ago. This also comes just as the company's chairman has been indicted in

In September 1920, the last Czechoslovak legionnaires, who fought alongside the Allies in Russia during the First World War, and then found themselves caught up in the Russian Revolution, left Russian soil for France after months of travelling through harsh Siberian tundra. As the European front had been blocked by the Civil War, the White Czechs, as they were called, were forced to travel via the Pacific port of Vladivostok and the United States.

Transport is always news here in Prague, one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Czech Airlines seems to be doing a good job - although they posted a loss, they did carry the highest number of passengers in their history last year. The carrier took more than 5.2 million passengers to the skies in 2005. Additionally, a new survey by the International Air Transport Association says the Czech national carrier provides the best on-board service in both its economy and first-class seating. Radio Prague's Brian Sabin followed up on the matter,

It has been said countless times that research and innovation are vitally important if Europe is to remain competitive internationally. But in the Czech Republic, some firms are actually being forced to slow down or halt their innovation processes. The reason: before sales can bring back the costs of research and development, the market is flooded by illegal replicas of the original products.

Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda announced at the weekend that the Czech Republic should be ready to join the Schengen Area by October next year. The 1985 Schengen Agreement, which allows for common immigration policies and a common border system, covers much of Europe, and will soon cover this country too.

A new exhibition in Prague's Old Town Hall marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sigmund Freud. It is just one of several memorial events scheduled to take place in cities around the world to honor Freud, the man regarded as the father of psychoanalysis.