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Czech President Miloš Zeman has come under fire over a series of incidents in recent days, such as his handling of the celebrations of Czechoslovak Independence Day, statements made during his visit to China and most recently the fact that he used vulgar language in a live interview for Czech Radio. I asked commentator Jiří Pehe whether he thinks the president is overstepping his mandate.

This Friday, Czech military intelligence released its annual report, finding (along with the civilian counter-intelligence service BIS earlier) that there were an exceptionally high number of Chinese spies operating on Czech soil, as well as Russian agents. Military intelligence also reported that the terrorist organisation al Qaeda was continuing to spread its ideology via social networks and sites on the internet.

Eyebrows were raised when the Czech president, Miloš Zeman, returned from a state visit to China not on a government plane but on a private jet hired by the Czech Republic’s richest man, Petr Kellner. Now Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has entered the fray, describing the head of state’s decision as a “political mistake”.

The World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Equality report which reflects the changing patterns of gender equality around the world has seen the Czech Republic slip to 96th place on a ladder of 142 countries. Its present ranking, below countries such as Russia and Uganda, has raised concern and highlighted the fact that progress on gender equality issues has be slow and inadequate. I asked Nina Bosničová of Gender Studies to outline the major problems.

Almost a fortnight after a devastating explosion at a munitions depot in Vrbětice, south Moravia, pyrotechnics teams are still struggling to bring the situation under control. Live munitions scattered about the site have been triggering further explosions day and night, and people living in the close vicinity of the accident are calling for the army to get involved.

Czech President Miloš Zeman bestowed state decorations on more than 30 personalities on Tuesday, on the occasion of Czechoslovakia Independence Day. Among the recipients of the awards were Sir Nicholas Winton, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky as well as five Czech soldiers killed in Afghanistan. But the president has come under criticism over some names on his list.

President Miloš Zeman on Monday concludes his official visit to China. During his four-day trip, the Czech president assured his hosts his country respected China’s integrity, and did not recognize Tibet’s government in exile. The visit comes as part of Czech efforts to boost relations and trade ties with China – but leading Czech sinologist Olga Lomová is sceptical about the potential economic benefits of Mr Zeman’s visit.

Several hundred flight attendants at the Czech national carrier, Czech Airlines, were expected to strike next Thursday in protest over extensive layoffs and wage cuts. That was averted when on Friday afternoon the company announced it and had reached a deal with trade unions, saying fewer employees would be let go.

The world-renowned Chinese writer Yan Lianke arrived in Prague this week to collect the annual Franz Kafka prize. The 55-year old writer has become the fourteenth recipient of the international literary award, which is given to authors whose work appeals to readers across different cultures. Among the previous winners were Austria’s Elfriede Jelinek and British playwright Harold Pinter, both of whom went on to win the Nobel Prize in literature the same year.

The new European Commission led by Jean-Claude Juncker received a relatively strong endorsement from MEPs on Wednesday, less than ten days before it assumes office on November 1. The new commission includes the Czech Republic’s Věra Jourová - the commissioner for justice, consumer rights and gender equality – who, along with other members, will face tough tasks ahead.