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On Tuesday the Czech ice hockey team plays its first match against Germany, a highly-anticipated match that should see players like Jaromir Jagr and new team captain Robert Lang in top form. One mystery that has been resolved for the time being: the question of who would start between the pipes. It will be none other than Dominik Hasek, who led the Czechs to gold at the Olympics eight years ago. At 41, Hasek is enjoying the season of the lifetime in the NHL, and the Czechs are hoping he will keep up the good work in the first game. Although originally

The Charles Bridge is undoubtedly one of Prague's most visited tourist sights, with around 20 million visitors crossing it every year. Having survived the floods which swept the city in 2002, the magnificent Gothic structure is currently in need of restoration to ensure its safety and to preserve it for future generations. But such a project is not without controversy, potentially affecting visitors at the height of the tourist season.

Firemen were called to the village of Libceves in North Bohemia on Monday to put out a fire in a warehouse. Nothing so unusual in that, but the warehouse was filled with rubbish illegally imported from Germany. The Czech authorities are battling with a tide of rubbish from across the border, which is often difficult to trace.

Around the world people are celebrating St Valentine's Day, the traditional day of lovers. But did you know that the Church of SS Peter and Paul in Prague's Vyšehrad may be home to a relic of the famous saint? Four years ago the Royal Collegiate Chapter of SS Peter and Paul uncovered several forgotten Baroque shrines in its depository; it was surprised to find one relic - a complete shoulder blade - had belonged to none other than the patron saint of lovers. Last year, the church held a mass in St Valentine's honour - displaying the relic - and

Despite the fact that St. Valentine's Day only became known relatively recently in the Czech Republic, it is continually increasing in popularity, and the familiar merchandise which accompanies it is gradually appearing more and more in shop windows. As a consequence there has been lively debate regarding whether or not companies and retailers exploit the festival in modern times for commercial purposes, thus tarnishing its true meaning for many people. Radio Prague takes a look into how Czechs perceive the day of lovers.

After seven years of intensive lobbying it seemed that Czech gays and lesbians would finally get their wish - a law enabling them to enter into a form of marriage, give them inheritance rights and the right to be briefed about their partner's state of health. However the bill, which has been approved by both houses of Parliament, seems to have hit the rocks, after President Vaclav Klaus slammed it last week. Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek came out strongly in its defence and he and the president are now embroiled in a heated and highly publicized

With caricatures at the centre of attention and debate these days, the opening of a new exhibition in Prague's Stone Bell House has turned out to be most timely. Inspired by the popularity of a show last year devoted to Adolf Hoffmeister's long career, the City Gallery in Prague and the National Gallery have designed an exhibition featuring Czech caricature art from 1900 - 1950.

The Iranian embassy in Prague has demanded an apology from two Czech newspapers. A few days ago, to illustrate articles on the debate, they both reprinted one of the fourteen Danish cartoons that sparked off protest in much of the Muslim world. The papers insist they have nothing to apologise for.

Visitors to Prague will have noticed that unlike in many Western countries, pornographic magazines are freely available at Czech newsagents. So far Czech law has only regulated their sale on street newsstands where they have to be covered, with only the title of the magazine visible. But the Constitutional Court has now ruled that towns will be allowed to ban the sale of porn magazines on newsstands altogether.

The unemployment rate in the Czech Republic last month was just over 9 percent. This is not as bad as in neighbouring Germany, or Poland, but it does give cause for concern. The Labour Ministry has now drawn up a plan to find work for more people without actually having to create new jobs. The cabinet launched the pilot project on Wednesday.