Czech news in brief for May 8: Wednesday's top headlines

Regional police spokeswoman Markéta Janovská reported that a riderless horse ran into the spectator area at the Pardubice racecourse during a race this afternoon, injuring a woman and child, who were taken to hospital. Onlookers say the horse kicked the woman in the head. Another man was treated at the scene. Alena Kisiala, spokeswoman for the Pardubice Region Medical Rescue Service, stated that the horse jumped over barriers and fences before reaching the spectator area. 

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the seriousness of the Russia-Ukraine war during a speech at the Vítkov Hill Memorial on Victory Day today, cautioning people not to downplay the Russian threat. He stated that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine can only end with the defeat of the aggressor and urged for support of Ukraine's success. Fiala also stressed the importance of international cooperation and the Czech Republic's duty to provide assistance to Ukrainian defenders. 

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said this afternoon that although the final version of the EU migration package is more bureaucratic and weakens the mandatory border procedure compared to the original draft, it is an important first step towards addressing illegal migration. The Czech Republic had abstained from voting on the package, while Hungary and Poland voted against it. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš criticized the Czech government for betraying its citizens and putting the country at risk of mass immigration. 

The Czech Republic abstained from voting on the final version of the EU migration package today, while Hungary and Poland voted against it. EU countries' ministers will formally approve the reform at a meeting next Tuesday. The European Parliament had previously voted in support of the package, which includes measures for more effective migrant controls and faster return of unsuccessful asylum seekers. The package also includes provisions for solidarity among EU countries in dealing with migrants. 

Today, May 8, marks the 79th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Czech Republic, with commemorative events planned across the nation. In Prague's Vítkov, a traditional memorial service will be attended by top state representatives, including President Pavel and Prime Minister Fiala, followed by the appointment of new generals at Prague Castle. Similar events will be held in various cities, including Brno, Pardubice, and Liberec. The Straka Academy will be illuminated in the Czech tricolor tonight.

The family of Joop Sparkes, a 29-year-old British tourist missing in Prague since late April, has confirmed that Czech police discovered his body in the Vltava River, reports British daily Metro. Sparkes was last seen jumping into the river from a party boat in the early hours of April 28. His sister confirmed Sparkes' death on Facebook, expressing profound sorrow. Sparkes' relatives had flown to Prague to assist in the search efforts.

The new Czech Hockey Hall of Fame, hailed as a "temple of Czech hockey," has been inaugurated in Prague's Nekázanka Street in New Town ahead of the Ice Hockey World Championship in Czechia. Open to the public starting Wednesday, the facility showcases hockey memorabilia and features multimedia sections, artifact displays, and life stories of inductees. The digital version was also launched. The previous Hall of Fame at Harfa Gallery closed due to economic losses.

Google has launched its online Google Store in the Czech Republic, offering Pixel phones, accessories, tablets, and smartwatches. Previously unavailable officially, Pixel phones had been imported individually. Pre-orders for Pixel 8 smartphones and accessories are underway, with prices ranging from CZK 14,490 to CZK 28,490. Google pledges seven years of software support for Czech Pixel users, along with regular updates and enhanced security features.

Prague's Nusle district has unveiled a new mural by artist Chemis, in commemoration of World Asthma Day. The Czech Asthma Initiative commissioned the artwork, depicting lungs filled with natural and animal motifs, in an effort to emphasize asthma prevention and treatment awareness. Chemis, (a.k.a. Dmitriy Proshkin) is a Czech artist with Kazakh roots who has been doing street art for 20 years said the mural conveyed a message of health and environmental care. Some 8 percent of people in the Czech Republic suffer from asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes.