Current Affairs | All stories

Roughly six years ago the Czech publishing house Kartografie set out to publish a series of tour guides outlining unique sites in the Czech Rep, from castles to cities to natural wonders. The series began with the title "111 Best Historic Sites" and worked its way down to the 10th and final release this week "The 111 Best... of the Czech Republic". It's been a long journey for authors Petr David and Vladimir Soukup, but Radio Prague learned, they never shirked at lacing up their hiking boots, visiting every site.

The Czech Republic has been a member of the European Union since May 2004, but the EU still has the potential to cause controversy. The EU flag flutters over the Foreign Ministry and the Government Office, but not over Prague Castle, seat of the Czech President - in this case euro-sceptic president Vaclav Klaus. Mr Klaus's refusal to fly the flag has angered two well-known Czech personalities - musician Michal Kocab, who composed the Castle fanfare, and Borek Sipek, architect to former president Vaclav Havel. On Wednesday the two made a public

There was huge relief for Czech football fans on Wednesday evening, when the Czech Republic beat Finland 3:0 to secure second place in their group, and a berth in the play-offs for next year's World Cup in Germany. Anything less than a win would have spelled the end of a dream for many Czech fans - they may never again have the chance to support their heroes in such a competition so near home.

The Czech avant garde punk band Uz Jsme Doma this week play a special concert in Prague to mark the 20th anniversary of their foundation in the north Bohemian town of Teplice. Uz Jsme Doma (which translates as "Now We're Home") came to prominence after the 1989 revolution, and since then have built up an enviable reputation overseas, particularly in the United States. That's something the band's Mira Wanek reflected on when I spoke to him just ahead of the anniversary show.

The Czech Republic currently has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, second only to Ukraine and China. Although there are conflicting views as to whether the state should interfere with demographic trends, the government has now approved a national family policy which would make it easier for Czechs to have children and enjoy parenthood.

The Czech non-profit organisation the Association for International Affairs held a public discussion on Tuesday looking at differences in approach towards international terrorism between the United States and the European Union. Speakers were the editor of the right-wing National Review, John O'Sullivan, and French political scientist Dominique Moissy. For over an hour the two discussed differences between the US and the EU since 9/11, but, as Jan Velinger found out, their discussion quickly shifted to Iraq.

Jaromir Nohavica is one of the country's best loved singer-songwriters. He is so popular that his concerts are always sold out, despite usually not being advertised at all. But not content with resting on his laurels here in the Czech Republic, the north Moravian singer has just embarked on a tour of cities in the English speaking world. So far Nohavica has appeared in Dublin and London, from where his tour manager Michal Zacek told us how it has been going so far.

Health Minister Milada Emmerova was sacked on Wednesday as the government struggled to defuse an ongoing crisis in the Czech health care system. Her removal comes a week after thousands of doctors held a one-day strike in protest at delays in payments from health insurance companies.

The World Health Organisation has advised countries to prepare for a possible flu pandemic which could kill between 2 and 7 million people worldwide. Such a pandemic could break out if a bird flu virus crosses with human flu strains. With newly reported cases of bird flu in Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic in line with the EU has taken precautions.

How independent and free of political pressure are public TV stations in the Czech Republic and elsewhere in Europe? That is a subject addressed in an extensive new study entitled "Television Across Europe" by the non-governmental organization Open Society Institute. On the eve of the report's launch in Brussels on Tuesday, I discussed its findings with one of its authors, Marius Dragomir.