A suspected terrorist being held in a Czech prison has had his appeal for release turned down, a court spokesman said Nov. 24. Oussama Kassir, a Swedish citizen of Lebanese descent, was arrested at Prague Ruzyně Airport last December during a stopover. Negotiations are under way to extradite Kassir to the United States, where he is charged with providing material support to terrorists.

CANCELED

President Václav Klaus canceled a Nov. 27 meeting with Prime Minister and Civic Democratic Chairman Mirek Topolánek, during which Topolánek was to update Klaus about his progress in building a government. Klaus said there was no need for the meeting, as clearly no progress has been made. The country has lacked a government with a mandate for six months.

COW

The State Veterinary Institute confirmed a case of mad-cow disease (BSE), Nov. 27 in a cow that died Nov. 22 on a farm in Semily, 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Prague. More than 100 cows in Semily are to be slaughtered. The first Czech case of BSE was reported in June 2001. More than 1 million cows have been tested here since then.

FLATS

The cost of apartments in Prague increased 30 percent this year, according to a Nov. 27 report in Hospodářské noviny. The prices of apartments outside of Prague have increased an average of 10 percent. Demand for apartments in the Czech Republic currently exceeds the available supply, real estate experts say. They expect the trend to continue throughout next year.

EXTRADITED