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On Saturday the sad news was announced that "the First Lady of Czech jazz", Vlasta Pruchova, had died in Prague after a long illness. Until a few years ago she appeared regularly at Prague jazz clubs, alongside some of the most talented Czech musicians, and her latest album came out just this year.

Thursday was World Elder Abuse Day, drawing attention to the rarely discussed issue of the mistreatment of senior citizens. The day was marked in the Czech Republic by a special reading on the subject - featuring the emotional testimonies of victims and witnesses - and a panel discussion. Michael Longaro was there.

Czechs and Slovaks spent 80 years in a common state, though the countries' fates have often diverged since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993. But now, by coincidence, just two weeks after elections here in the Czech Republic, voters in Slovakia go to the polls this Saturday. Early elections were called in February after the Christian Democrats left the centre-right government of Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda.

On Thursday morning, sad news reached the Czech Republic from neighboring Slovakia: Jan Langos, whom Czechs remember as the first post-communist Interior Minister, was killed in a car crash. Mr. Langos was 59. Jan Langos' life was a tapestry of activity, both before the revolution of 1989, and after.

The United Islands music festival, which starts in Prague on Friday, is one of many such fests taking place in the Czech Republic over the summer months. Outside the capital there are big festivals in Trutnov and Cesky Brod, as well as numerous smaller ones, ranging from hip hop camps to folk music gatherings.

In spite of missing their star forward Milan Baros, the Czech football team put in an impressive performance against the USA in their opening World Cup game on Monday. However, Baros's strike partner Jan Koller was stretchered off in that match; both are unlikely to play in the Czechs' two remaining group games and may not appear again in the competition at all. Can the Czech Republic cope with this double loss?

If you are a cheese lover who has ever visited the Czech Republic you will probably already have heard of Olomoucke syrecky - famous semi-soft cheese cakes produced in the east of the country for centuries. Some would describe them as a culinary delight, others, as an acquired taste. Either way, they are a Czech pub staple and some say you haven't really lived till you've tried some.

All eyes are on the World Cup in Germany at the moment, and while the Czech Republic and the hosts could face each other in the quarterfinals, the two countries' diplomats have already clashed, after Germany turned away some Czech fans travelling to the World Cup at the border.

The Green Party have decided to challenge the electoral system at the Constitutional Court, claiming the system discriminates against smaller parties. Experts say if the challenge succeeds the rules might have to be changed, although it's too late to affect the results of June's parliamentary elections.

In just over two weeks' time, one of the biggest annual cultural events in the Czech Republic will kick off. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the most important A-category film festival in central and eastern Europe, being held for the 41st time, will once again welcome hundreds of filmmakers and thousands of visitors to the picturesque spa town of Karlovy Vary - a unique location which no doubt contributes greatly to the festival's special atmosphere.