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Over the weekend, leading representatives of the governments of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary met in Prague to discuss common concerns regarding the European Union, and to sign a declaration on the opening of labour markets. With the second anniversary of EU entry coming up in May, leaders of the Visegrad Four want the original restrictions on labour movement lifted, or at least eased.

The publication of caricatures of the prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper has brought violent reactions in some parts of the Muslim world, and heated debate in Europe about the balance between freedom of expression and respect for different beliefs. Indirectly, the Czech Republic has also found itself in the firing line.

This week the lower house of Parliament passed a bill which would ban assisted reproduction or sperm donation after the age of forty. In a society where second and third marriages are common and people have embraced the Western trend of having children later in life the decision has caused plenty of controversy.

One only has to look at such recent edifices as the so-called "Fred and Ginger" building by Frank Gehry or Jean Nouvel's Andel Centre to see that Prague's architecture becomes more and more ambitious year by year. Yet there have been few more industrious projects than the groundbreaking relocation of the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, a move which saved the monument from certain destruction. As the building celebrates 50 years since this momentous operation, Radio Prague looks at how and why such an undertaking was made possible.

Most people would probably say that the most romantic city in the world is Paris. But the Czech capital Prague is now also staking its claim, as it is becoming an increasingly popular wedding destination for couples from all over the world. Czech town halls can only welcome this new type of tourism, as it brings extra cash into their coffers.

They're calling it one of the biggest cases in Czech criminal history. Alleged mafia boss David Berdych and 35 members of his gang were marched into a Prague court on Wednesday to stand trial for a total of 34 crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.

They say we never stop learning. This week three students from Prague's Centre for Life-Long Learning celebrated birthdays over 90—their combined age, an incredible 274. With a rapidly aging population in Prague - almost 16 percent of the Czech Republic's seniors live in the capital - there is a growing focus on organized activities for the elderly.

Relations between the Czech Republic and Cuba have been strained for some time, after a number of diplomatic spats. Tensions between the two states have risen further since the arrest last week of two Czech women - including former Miss Czech Republic Helena Houdova - while they were taking photographs of a slum area.

The Czech theatre group Vlastenecka Omladina, or Patriotic Youth, was founded 120 years ago in Vienna. It performs two productions annually for the Czech-speaking minority in Austria. But this week audiences in Prague also have the chance to enjoy its work, as the group takes part in a mini-festival entitled Open Arms 2006.

Opera is considered by many of its devotees to be the highest form of the performing arts. Back in the early 19th century, at the time of the Czech national revival, an original Czech opera was just what the Czechs needed in their effort to catch up with their illustrious neighbours. 180 years ago this week, the first Czech opera - "Dratenik" or "The Tinker" by Frantisek Skroup was premiered in Prague.