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Austrian novelist and playwright Elfriede Jelinek is the first since 1996 to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Elfriede Jelinek, whose father is of Czech-Jewish origin, is best-known for her autobiographical 1983 novel 'The Piano Teacher', which was made into a movie in 2001. The Swedish Academy praised "her musical flow of voices and counter-voices in novels and plays that with extraordinary linguistic zeal reveal the absurdity of society's clichés and their subjugating power". But, in Austria, Elfriede Jelinek is a controversial figure, as she was a member of the Communist Party from 1974-1991. The prestigious Nobel Prize is worth 10 million Swedish crowns, or some 1.36 million US dollars. Czech author Milan Kundera had been considered a favourite to win the Nobel Prize this year.

Under a new plan approved by the government Czech industries will be allowed a margin of air pollution emissions of up to almost 108 million tonnes per year as of January 1. Companies will receive permits, which are transferable in all 25 EU member countries, with the European Commission checking on the number of permits issued and monitoring the overall system. By the end of each year firms will be required to provide a total for the amount of pollutants actually released. The Environment Ministry demanded on Monday that permits for only up to 100 million tonnes be issued; as a result a hearing will now be held in Brussels to explain the compromise.

The Czech new agency CTK has reported that the senior government Social Democrats are planning to use banners on popular internet portals and large print advertisements as part of their election campaign before November's regional and Senate elections. The party has already launched a massive billboard campaign coupled with huge concerts to take place in 14 cities with major Czech pop stars. The party says that the total cost of the campaign will be 30 million crowns (1 million euros) but has been reluctant to answer questions on the fees being paid out to the pop stars for their performances.

During talks with EC and European Parliament officials in Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross expressed support for further EU integration. He said that the Continent would benefit from a unification of the criminal code and judiciary and spoke in favour of further EU expansion on the condition that it did not violate the integrity of the union. Asked whether his country would welcome the idea of holding a national referendum on Turkey's accession to the EU, Mr. Gross said he thought Ankara should be given the same conditions for entry as other EU members. To do otherwise would be unfair, the Czech Prime Minister noted.