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For nearly all of his term as Foreign Minister, Cyril Svoboda has been trying to attain visa-free relations between the Czech Republic and Canada, and most recently he stepped-up the Czech lobby in the halls of Washington, D.C. But now it seems that the Czech Republic has been upstaged by the Poles, who have the best chance yet of seeing their visa requirements for the United States fall by the wayside.

After days of speculation, it's been signed and sealed - a contract that should secure the biggest single foreign investment in the Czech Republic since the fall of communism. Czech government officials on Thursday signed a contract with the South Korean car maker Hyundai on the construction of a major car plant in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. But, behind the smiles and handshakes, there was an air of uncertainty. The absence of Hyundai's chairman Chung Mong Koo - indicted on corruption charges - has evoked speculation as to whether

In spite of the torrential rain on Tuesday evening, a small crowd gathered outside the gates of Prague Castle to witness the reactivation of a newly-restored Prague landmark: the historic five-armed candelabrum on Hradcanske Namesti, the cobbled square in front of the castle.

Surrounded by the charming Brdy Forests in Western Bohemia, Zbiroh Chateau really catches the eye of anyone who visits. With its rich history and impressive Neo-Renaissance architecture, the chateau is one of the most curious in the country. The renowned Czech painter Alfons Mucha painted his famous Slav Epic here, along with much of his other oil based works. During World War II, the castle was occupied by a secret SS division which monitored radio communications all over the world. Now even more of the secrets of this intriguing castle have been

The bulldozers could be moving in to Prague's Letna in the near future, after plans were unveiled on Wednesday to build a national football stadium on the site of the current Toyota Arena - home to the first division club Sparta. The stadium, which could be ready by 2010, would also host other sporting events apart from football. Rob Cameron has this report.

Fears of bird flu and SARS have dominated headlines of late, driving the deadly HIV virus into the background of world attention. However, statistics show that AIDS isn't going away. Indeed, to date the disease has claimed the lives of more than 28 million people - nearly three times the total population of the Czech Republic. This Sunday the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will pay homage to those who have died around the globe, including a ceremony here in Prague on Wenceslas Square.

He appeared out of the blue - floating on a raft in the North Sea between Denmark and Norway. Like the Mystery Piano Man found in Britain last year, the "shipwreck survivor" who was spotted by the crew of a Swedish tanker on April 21st appeared to have no past and no identity. The mystery has now been solved. The man is a 49 year old Czech who was driven by wanderlust.

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.

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.