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The Czech Republic has been hit with a severe heat wave. Currents of hot air coming from north Africa via France and southern Germany raised temperatures by to record-breaking highs this week, with a new record of 40.4 degrees Celsius registered outside Prague on Monday. While doctors advise people to take extra caution to avoid problems, meteorologists warn the heat will soon give way to heavy storms expected later on Tuesday.

A remembrance ceremony on Tuesday marked the 44th anniversary of the beginning of the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. The first days of the invasion were closely tied to the Czech Radio building in front of which bloody clashes took place and at least 15 civilians were killed.

Thousands of people joined in Saturday’s Prague Pride parade though the streets of the Czech capital, in the second instalment of the festival. The march was the climax of the week-long festival of sexual minorities which was bigger – and raised less controversy – than its debut last year.

The Senate on Thursday rejected one of the most controversial components of the government's fiscal consolidation package - a hike in value-added and income taxes aimed at bringing the debt in public finances under 3 percent of GDP in 2013. The proposed bill has come under fire not just from the opposition parties but also from economists and, not least, the prime minister’s own Civic Democrats who argue that it will drag the country deeper into recession.

When is the last time you used your mobile phone? Did you say anything important? Are you sure no one else was listening? There are rising concerns in the Czech Republic about the increasingly common use of devices that can intercept your daily mobile communication. Masha Volynsky has more.

After hours of debate the opposition-controlled Senate on Wednesday rejected a controversial bill on the restitution of church property. Under the legislation the state would secure the transfer of part of the land and property seized by the communist regime in the 1950s and pay tens of billions of crowns in compensation for the rest. The bill’s opponents have questioned the scope of the restitution –amounting to 135 billion crowns -saying it is inflated and arguing that the country can ill afford such generosity at a time of tax hikes and cost

Prague municipal authorities have approved a series of major changes to the city’s transport system. The alterations will mean that as of September 3, numerous tram and bus lines will be cut while other, longer routes will be added. The city says the changes are needed to save money, but critics argue that they will cause chaos.

Last week saw the official opening of a new Integration Centre for foreigners in Prague. Currently, almost twelve percent of the capital’s population are now foreigners, and city hall has been mulling over the plan to open such a centre for a few years now. With the financial crisis looming, Czech ministries are introducing increasingly stricter policies toward foreign workers and other migrants. The Integration Centre is meant to alleviate some of the hurdles that foreigners living here face.

The Czech economy remains in recession. According to preliminary figures released by the Czech Statistical Office on Tuesday, the gross domestic product fell by 0.2 percent in the second quarter of this year, and the economy contracted by 1.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Exports are still the main driving force but slowing industrial output and depressed domestic demand continue to undermine economic growth. Radio Prague discussed the latest figures with economist David Marek from the consultancy Patria Finance.

For the Czech Republic, the London Olympics proved to be the most successful summer games since Atlanta 16 years ago. With four gold, three silver and three bronze medals, the country ranked 19th in the international medal count. Some of the athletes made the trip back home as soon as their events were over but on Monday two special flights brought the rest of the team –including a number of medalists - back home. JP went to meet them at Prague’s Kbely airport.