News
Government spokeswoman Veronika Skorepova resigns following reports that she had false information in her official resume
The government spokeswoman Veronika Skorepova has resigned following reports in the Czech media that she had padded her official resume. Ms Skorepova was the long-time assistant to the newly appointed Prime Minister, Jiri Paroubek, during his tenure as local development minister. Mr Paroubek took office on the 25th of April and Ms Skorepova assumed her new role just over a week later. Czech media had reported on Friday that she had listed work experience on her CV with at least one organisation for which she had never worked. Ms Skorepova, a former journalist, said she had been the target of a "negative media campaign" and denied that she had false information in her resume. She said was leaving her post only because she did not want to discredit the new government in any way.
Former Czech president Vaclav Havel among signatories to open letter attacking Russia's record on democracy and political freedom
Former Czech president Vaclav Havel has signed on to an open letter attacking Russia's record on democracy and political freedom. The letter's 75 signatories include former prime ministers of soviet bloc countries like Estonia, as well as advocates of democracy from Europe and the United States, including current and former lawmakers. The open letter is to be published in the UK's Financial Times newspaper on May 9, to coincide with ceremonies in Moscow marking the end of the Second World War. The signatories accuse Russia of betraying the principles behind the victory against Nazi Germany 60 years ago, and say Russia's plan to mark the anniversary in Moscow makes "a mockery" of the struggle for freedom.
Officials commemorations marking 60 years since the end of the Second World War continue
Official commemorations marking 60 years since the end of the Second World War continued on Saturday along with re-enactments of several historical events, including the bloody battle on Vinohradska Street for control of what was then Czechoslovak Radio. Among the larger events: President Vaclav Klaus is due to host a celebration at the Prague Castle honouring Czech veterans of the war. Celebrations also are being held in Plzen, which along with western Bohemia, was liberated by American and other Allied soldiers. Sunday will see a host of memorial events, including the first military parade on the city's Letna plain since the fall of communism.
Czech hockey star forward Jaromir Jagr to play in Czech-Slovak match with broken finger
In sports news, Czech ice hockey star forward Jaromir Jagr is set to play in the Czech-Slovak match on Saturday evening, just a few days after breaking his little finger in an earlier game at the World Championships in Vienna. The Czech team beat Switzerland, Germany and Kazakhstan in the first group stage. Saturday's match against the Slovaks will be their first real test.
Weather
Partly cloudy skies, scattered rain and daytime temperatures in the low teens remains the outlook for the next few days.
