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The Czech Republic's entry to the European Union on May 1st is a historic occasion and, as in the other nine "newcomer" countries, preparations for the big day are in full swing. Many border villages are draped in festive garb for the occasion in preparation of a day of food, drink and merrymaking with friends from across the border. Shops are sold out of EU flags and many schools have dropped regular lessons in favour of an "EU day" of knowledge quizzes, food bakes and competitions. Friday will bring open air parties across the country and on

As you undoubtedly know, the Czech Republic will join a number of other countries in acceding to the European Union in a few days time. One of the challenges facing this enlarged EU is that it must ensure ways of fostering and developing good relations with its new Eastern neighbours. Next week, a major international conference co-hosted by the Centre for the National Glory of Russia is being held in Prague, which will specifically address this issue. The conference will include a number of local luminaries such as former Czech Prime Minister Milos

Czech voters already know the ballot sheet numbers of the political parties and groupings they can choose from in the country's first ever elections to the European Parliament in June. The parties registered to take part in the election were given their numbers in a draw held by the State Electoral Commission on Tuesday. And many say they are planning to use them in the upcoming campaign.

The 68th Ice Hockey World Championship in Prague is well underway and Monday saw the Czechs in Game 2 action against Kazakhstan. They won easily - fans expected no less - and will now prepare to down Germany to secure top spot in their group.

The retired former prime minister and former head of the Social Democrats, Milos Zeman, is once again in the centre of attention. The outspoken former party leader first came out of retirement early last year when he ran for president - and was defeated by rival Vaclav Klaus. After then disappearing from the political scene, Mr Zeman reappeared before the public last weekend and pulled no punches in criticising the current situation in the Social Democratic Party. Although he once again declined to comment on any specific plans for his future,

Last month's terrorist bombings in Madrid meant that Friday's conference in the Czech senate on Democracy and Security was a timely one. The conference discussed the best ways for democratic governments to fight the threat of terrorism whilst maintaining civil liberties.

On Thursday the prime minister, Bertie Ahern, made a short visit to Prague, just a week before the Czech Republic and nine other countries join the European Union. Mr Ahern is also the current president of the European Council, and he addressed the thorny issue of a new constitution for the EU in a speech to the Czech Senate. He also found the time to talk to Radio Prague, about why he had come to the Czech capital, how Czechs could make the most of membership and how optimistic he was that agreement on a constitution could be reached before the

The Czech Republic has been gripped by ice hockey fever, with the sport's World Championships due to start in Prague and Ostrava on Saturday. On the eve of the competition, the biggest Czech hockey star of all time, Jaromir Jagr, talks about the Czech team's chance of success, the passion Czechs have for the sport and how his club team-mates from North America will enjoy visiting the Czech Republic with their national teams.

Just a few days ago the Czech commission to UNESCO chaired by Senator Jaroslava Moserova issued an appeal to the Culture Ministry and Prague's Town Hall to do their utmost to preserve the character of Prague's historic city centre. The appeal came on the heels of several experts' assessments that if certain controversial projects were realised, it might lead to Prague's being struck off UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. The Czech capital has been included on the list since 1992 - is there any real weight to the threat it might be struck off

Every year, dozens of countries around the world mark Earth Day on April 22nd. Czechs joined the worldwide campaign for preserving the global environment in 1990. This year, the main focus is on a big clean-up.