Russia cuts oil to Czechs

Russian oil supplies to the Czech Republic have been cut by almost half after Prague agreed to host part of America's controversial missile defence shield.

Czech officials have sought an explanation from Moscow about the reduction in supply, fearing that it could be retaliation for the radar base deal.

Tomas Bartovsky, a spokesman for the Czech Trade Ministry, said Russia had ruled out "political reasons" for the reduction and had blamed negotiations between suppliers for the problem.