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Czech state controlled energy giant ČEZ is at the centre of a scandal over shocking images relating to a special division for dealing with electricity theft. Images have shown training exercises where members of the company’s special squad look like paramilitary commandoes. Another film was taken by employees after a customer suspected of stealing committed suicide.

Eva Pilarová, one of the country’s best known jazz singers, is currently celebrating a remarkable 50 years on the stage. Pilarová, whose career is closely linked to the legendary Semafor Theatre, will mark the anniversary with a series of concerts across the Czech Republic, accompanied by a number of younger musicians.

Concerns about employee privacy in the Czech Republic are on the rise. A freshly released survey suggests that three quarters of all Czech companies track the web pages that their employees visit. And the minister for minorities and human rights recently proposed a crack-down on employers who don’t respect the privacy of their staff. How serious is the situation?

Czech scientists working in Mozambique have discovered a new species of fish that inhabits the rain pools of the savannah. Types of tiny killifish are found in many parts of the world, but what is unique to Nothobranchius Kadleci - named after the well-known Brno ichthyologist Jaroslav Kadlec - is its very short lifespan of only four months. The team from the Institute of Vertebrate Biology in Brno believe that the new discovery may eventually provide important insights into the understanding of aging, even in humans. I spoke to the institute’s

The government has approved reinforcements of 55 troops for the Czech contingent serving in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, lawmakers approved 535 troops to continue the Czech mission in the war-torn country, but finding approval for additional troops is not likely to prove easy. On Monday, the Social Democrats – long opposed to troop increases on foreign missions - wasted no time in coming out against the plan.

One of the Czech capital’s most famous attractions, the picturesque Golden Lane up at Prague Castle, is set to be closed to the public for at least a year. Castle officials say the landmark has to undergo thorough renovation, as the little street is under threat from an antiquated drainage system.

President Václav Klaus visited North Moravia on Monday, and during a trip to the regional capital Ostrava he met representatives of the Czech Republic’s Polish minority, most of whom live in and around the town of Český Těšín. Relations between Czechs and Poles are generally good, although community leaders have expressed concern at widespread vandalism of bi-lingual street signs.

The village of Husinec, in south Bohemia, wants to open a new centre commemorating its most famous son, the 15th century religious reformer Jan Hus. While the municipality hopes the new visitor and research centre will open in time for the 600th anniversary of his death in five years’ time, critics say the project is over the top.

Exactly 20 years have passed since officials in Czechoslovakia disbanded the notorious Communist-era secret police the StB. The order came on January 31, 1990 from then interior minister Richard Sacher; within 15 days some 13,000 StB officers had handed in their weapons and their badges.

Meant to create more synergy between non-profits, the private and public sectors, a project entitled “Czech NGO Weeks” will bring a number of events, seminars and exhibitions to regions throughout the country in February and March. Květa Morávková, one of the campaign’s organisers with the NGO Association in the Czech Republic, discusses the aims of the campaign.