BBC

Lawmakers have narrowly voted to charge outgoing President Václav Klaus with high treason. The upper house voted to refer the president to the constitutional court to rule on whether he had violated the constitution with a New Year amnesty. The wide-ranging measures were controversial as they resulted in multiple high-profile corruption cases being suspended. The worst punishment he faces is the loss of his presidential job, a role the 71-year-old must relinquish later this week having served two terms in office.

The Czech government has agreed to ease a ban on the sale of spirits containing more than 20% alcohol after a spate of poisoning that has left 26 people dead. The ministers decided to allow sales of hard liquor manufactured before 1 January 2012.

Randy Blythe, singer with US metal band Lamb of God has been arrested in Prague over the death of a fan at a gig in the Czech Republic two years ago. It is understood that Mr Blythe, 44, was detained at Prague airport on Wednesday, forcing the band to cancel a live appearance the following night.

Maria Sharapova booked a place in her first French Open final and moved up to world number one by overcoming Petra Kvitova in straight sets in Paris.