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German scientists have reportedly discovered deposits of the rare metallic element indium in the Krušné Hory mountains on the north-eastern Czech border. In fact, it could turn out to be the world’s biggest deposit. But what does this discovery mean for the Czech Republic and what exactly is indium?

Nearly three months after promising a cabinet reshuffle, the Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, has finally announced which members of his cabinet are to be removed. Making the announcement on Monday, Mr Topolánek said the replacement of four ministers would give his government a “new dynamic”, and improve communication with the public.

A piece of public art commissioned by the Czech Republic to mark the country’s EU presidency has set tongues wagging in Brussels. ‘Entropa’ sees each of the EU’s 27 member states represented in all of their clichés and stereotypes as part of a larger piece assembled by Czech artist David Černý. Some in Brussels are praising the sculpture as thought-provoking, while others are dismissing it as downright crass.

The head of the Christian Democrats Jiří Čunek announced his resignation from his cabinet posts of regional development minister and deputy prime minister on Monday, a surprise announcement and one that’s being interpreted as a victory for Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek. The announcement paves the way for a long-promised cabinet reshuffle, but more importantly removes a controversial figure who has been seen to damage the government’s credibility.

It is 40 years ago this Friday that student Jan Palach set himself alight following the Soviet-led invasion of 1968. Palach’s suicide turned him into a symbol of national resistance, and to this day, Czechs and Slovaks remember what he did for his country. On the eve of this 40th anniversary, historians have just discovered a document which sheds new light upon his actions.

An agreement brokered by the Czech prime minister on the resumption of Russian natural gas supplies to Europe appears to be back on track, after an unexpected snag on Sunday night brought further delays. The worst-ever gas crisis in Europe’s history, which has left thousands struggling to keep warm, has given fresh urgency to plans aimed at increasing the continent’s energy security.

Vesna Vulovic, a flight attendant on a Yugoslav plane that broke apart above northern Bohemia in 1972, holds the world record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute: 10,160 metres. Now, however, that story is being challenged by a German journalist in Prague. He says the official version of what happened was a communist fabrication: Vesna Vulovic fell from a far shorter distance – and the plane may well have been shot down by Czechoslovakia.

Europe's gas crisis has dominated the first week of the Czech EU Presidency –Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek travelled to Ukraine on Friday to help negotiate an end to Ukraine’s dispute with Russia. The security of Europe's energy supplies is one of the Czech presidency's three priorities, and gas dominated talks by EU foreign ministers in Prague. In fact the Czech Republic’s deputy prime minister says Europe must be better prepared to deal with a similar crisis in the future.

On Wednesday the Czech capital played host to the European Commission, headed by José Manuel Barroso, to officially mark the start of the Czech EU presidency. Originally, the meeting of EU officials was meant to have mostly cultural and festive overtones but the gas crisis, global economic woes, and the conflict in Gaza not surprisingly, all brought added urgency to the proceedings.

Sour rye soup from the Giant Mountains, the south Bohemian štrachanda or rump steak goulash from Prague, these are just some of the Czech specialties, that will appear on the menus of Czech restaurants as of April. Czech Tourism, in cooperation with the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants and the Association of Cooks and Confectioners, have prepared a special project with the aim of promoting the Czech Republic through regional specialties. These dishes will appear on menus under the label ‘Czech Specials’.