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The Czech Republic and the other nine countries which joined the European Union in 2004 may not be able to join the Schengen zone as originally planned in October 2007. EU officials are making no secret of the fact that the planned entry date will be almost impossible to meet, due to technical and legal problems in building a new police database for the extended alliance. The newcomers have been warned to expect a delay of a year or more.

Five years after 9/11 and roughly a month after British intelligence thwarted an alleged plot by terrorists to blow up US airliners over the Atlantic, the Czech Republic is still undecided over how to further improve and streamline its own communication and data sharing between the police and intelligence services. Shortly before leaving office, former Interior Minister Frantisek Bublan advocated founding a special centre that would improve the chances of preventing potential attacks on European soil, by working more closely with BIS counter-intelligence,

One of Prague's most visited tourist attractions has changed ownership. For 13 years the Roman Catholic Church sought to regain ownership of Prague's famous St. Vitus Cathedral, located in the Prague Castle compound and administered by the state. In June of this year the Prague City Court ruled that St. Vitus belongs to the Church. This week the Prague Castle Administration officially handed over its management to the Roman Catholic Church.

Jindrich Streit, a Moravian photographer with a rich history, marked his 60th birthday this week. On the occasion, over 500 friends and admirers came to Prague's Galerie Zdenek Sklenar to wish 'Jindra from Sovinec' well, and to say thank you for the incredible tradition that he started back in 1974.

Hundreds of historians from around the country flocked to the town of Pardubice in eastern Bohemia for a regular gathering this week. For three days, historians from museums, archives, and universities have been discussing topics ranging from Czech history in an international context, how it should be taught in schools, and its relation to other fields of science.

Throughout the course of this week Czech ambassadors posted all over the world are meeting in Prague for their annual session at the Czech Foreign Ministry. The week of meetings comes directly on the heels of the appointment of a new Civic Democratic minority government, which faces an uncertain future. During a break between sessions at Cernin Palace - home to the Czech Foreign Ministry - Martin Palous, the new Czech Ambassador to the United Nations, reflected on how useful the conference of ambassadors is at this stage in the new government's

Bratislava was the venue on Wednesday night for a very keenly anticipated soccer game between former federal partners Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It was the first time the two countries had met for several years and there was a lot to play for, as both teams bid to reach the 2008 European Championships. The atmosphere was electric, and friendly, for the match, which the Czech Republic won 3:0.

Although it rarely makes news headlines, domestic violence is the most widespread form of violence in the Czech Republic, according to a report released on Wednesday. In 94 percent of cases the victims are women. As many as ten a year die as a result of physical abuse. Thousands suffer in silence - often before the eyes of their children who are powerless to help. Despite hot-lines and support groups it often takes victims years to acknowledge the problem and seek help. Experts and support groups are hoping that a new law which is due to take effect

The past three months of complicated government talks have shown just how much the country's past is still affecting the present. The Communist Party's unwillingness to reform itself to a large extent "distorts" the Czech political scene. The Czech Green Party and the Christian Democrats - who would both be natural candidates for a centre-left coalition elsewhere in Europe - are seen as parties right of centre because they want nothing to do with the Communists. A reform of the Communist Party would clearly benefit everyone - including the Communists

A new internet "game" called Total Burn-out of Lidice has been making a lot of headlines in recent days. The title refers to the 1942 razing of the Czech village of Lidice and the massacre of its inhabitants, one of the worst single atrocities of World War II. Visitors to the site are given the mission of burning the village down, with 10 points for killing a Czech, or 50 if they are trying to escape. It seems to be in shocking bad taste, but it actually has a serious purpose - attempt to start and you are asked "What are you playing at?! This