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Controversial businessman Frantisek Mrazek shot dead; Czech Republic protests Austria proposal on VAT levels; Czech Railways to seek some $700,000 from maker of Pendelino; Talks with South Korean carmaker Hyundai centre on domestic-parts guarantee, infrastructure; Deputies have approved a tougher conflict-of-interest bill; Cinema association says box-office sales fell 22 percent in 2005; Czech crown reaches another record high against the Euro

The European Commission regularly conducts surveys and studies that measure the evolution of public opinion in Europe. From these so-called Eurobarometers, national reports are made twice a year to give a basic overview of public opinion in the individual member states. On Monday, the market research agency Factum Invenio presented its report on the Czech Republic. Although Czechs joined the European Union almost two years ago the report suggests that a great many of them are still sceptical and in the dark about the workings of the Union and their

Finland and Spain have indicated they may open their labour markets to the new EU members before the end of this year. The Czech Labour and Social Affairs Minister Zdenek Skromach, who attended a meeting with his EU counterparts in the Austrian town of Villach on Friday said that although no decision had been reached the diplomatic signals from Madrid and Helsinki were encouraging. Germany and Austria, on the other hand, have made it clear that they will extend the labour market restrictions by another three years.

Jeremy Rifkin is one of the most controversial American academics. The economist, philosopher, university professor and writer has published 17 books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, and has also been an advisor to many European politicians, including the former EU Commission president, Romano Prodi. David Vaughan caught up with him when he came to Prague towards the end of last year to plug the Czech edition of his newest book The European Dream - how Europe's vision of the future is quietly eclipsing the American

Over the past decade and a half Czechs have spent a lot of money improving their homes - new furniture, new electronics and new materials have changed interiors beyond recognition. However changing the exterior has not always proved as easy. A third of all Czechs live in pre-fabricated blocks of flats built in the communist era, many of which are now the worse for wear. Now, the European Union has promised to help fund their renovation.

Exports of Czech arms and military equipment have increased, says a Foreign Ministry report quoted by Lidove Noviny. Since joining the European Union the Czech Republic has significantly increased arms exports to other EU states, which are regarded as more demanding markets. Its main customers are India, Slovakia and Poland, the paper says.

In Business News: the National Bank governor warns the government's spending programme for 2006 could jeopardise plans to introduce the euro in 2010; the cabinet rejects an opposition plan to cut bureaucracy for small companies; employers will have to pay the first two weeks' sick pay; the Czech IT market grows by a tenth in 2005; and while over 5 percent of Czechs have broadband internet, plans for free WiFi in Prague meet opposition.

Talks between European Union leaders dragged on into the early hours of Saturday morning, but at 2.30 am, Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair emerged with news for awaiting journalists. Against the odds, all 25 EU members had managed to hammer out a budget framework for the period 2007 to 2013. There were sighs of relief all round, not least from Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek. Under earlier proposals the Czech Republic had been one of the countries set to lose out in Britain's budget reform plans. David Vaughan was following the talks.

Deadline approaching on land-swap deal at proposed $1.2bn Hyundai car plant site; Hourly wages in Czech Republic among the lowest in the OECD; If 'old' EU members keep controls, Czech Republic also will consider labour restrictions against states joining in 2007; Survey shows Czech firms are among Europe's most chronically late payers; Cabinet expected to decide on funding for new Brno medical-research centre this month; Former president Havel weighs in against extending territorial limits on coal mining

European Union leaders meet in Brussels on Friday for a summit dominated by the EU's budget. Indeed talks on the EU's finances are expected to be so tough there will be no room for anything else - certainly there will be little time for negotiations on the transition periods that prevent new members from free access to the EU's labour markets. But the free movement of labour remains uppermost in the new members' minds.