The CEO of the Prague Transport Company (DPP), Petr Witowski, has announced that the company will start testing a new hydrogen-powered bus this spring.
The purpose of the test is to assess technical and operational parameters, and the bus will initially operate on line number 170, running from Jižní Město to Barrandov.
DPP has been exploring alternative ways of powering public transport vehicles for several years, having gradually introduced electric cars and resumed trolleybus operations.
According to a document approved by the city’s former leadership last year, current hydrogen technology technically allows buses to run on fuel, but it is the most expensive option so far.
The fuel consumption per kilometre of travel for a hydrogen bus costs about three times more than a diesel bus, and repairs are also more expensive compared to diesel buses.
The hydrogen bus will run on line 170 on a trial basis, which was chosen because of its length of about 40 kilometres, its hilly profile, and its proximity to the first public hydrogen filling station in Prague located on K Barrandov Street. The car will leave from the Kačerov garage.
“We have completed preparations for testing, having recently visited the hydrogen bus prototype at the Škoda plant in Plzeň, and we should commence testing sometime during the spring of this year. First, we will operate the bus without passengers, but then we will deploy it on regular routes,” said Witowski.
In mid-January last year, DPP launched the first electric bus, the Škoda E’City 36 BB, which operates on lines 213, 154, and 124.
Additionally, construction began on a trolleybus line from Palmovka via Prosek and Letňany to Miškovice, which has been operational since the turn of the year.
DPP has also started constructing infrastructure for trolleybuses from Nádraží Veleslavím to Ruzyně Airport and is planning to electrify other lines on the left bank.
Local authorities in the Czech city of Ostrava have announced a competition for the design of what will become the first skyscraper in the Czech Republic after original plans failed to meet building standards.
Architects are being encouraged to submit their design proposals for Ostrava Tower, a building that will be approximately 175 meters tall and the tallest building in the Czech Republic.
“We now consider the architectural competition to be the only way to find a permanent and high-quality solution for the city,” declared Ostrava Mayor Tomáš Macura on Monday.
“Today we approved the matter at the council, after about a year of negotiating the terms. The investor informed us in about April 2022 that the original form of the building was unfeasible for him, due to the founding conditions and the economics of the construction,” said Deputy Mayor Zuzana Bajgarová.
The result of the competition is expected by June 2024, and the application for the issuance of a permit must then be submitted to the building authority for approval.
The initial design included a public lookout point at the top of the building along with a restaurant. It planned to contain both commercial and residential elements including offices, a four-star hotel, and 624 parking spaces.
Construction had been expected to begin in 2022 with completion by 2027, but that timeframe has now been pushed back to a 2035 completion date.
At 175 meters tall, the Ostrava Tower will be similar in height to the iconic Gherkin skyscraper in London, which stands at 180 meters tall.
A rare aurora was visible in northern Bohemia late on Sunday evening and should be even more pronounced on the night from Monday to Tuesday, according to astronomer Petr Horálek.
The rare sight in the night sky was caused by a geomagnetic storm from the Sun’s activity. The aurora could be seen with a naked eye both in Czechia and Slovakia.
“Particles from this eruption are still flying towards us and will hit the Earth in the next hours to tens of hours,” meteorologist Martin Adamovsky explained to CNN Prima NEWS.
According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), the flare could therefore be even more pronounced on Tuesday night, but it depends on other factors.
“Anything can happen, the glow can be weak or it can come at five o’clock in the morning, then it would be visible in the United States, but not here. But there is a chance, and it is not small,” Adamovský added.
If the glow is strong, it should be visible over the horizon almost all over the Czech Republic, but people in more northern regions will have better conditions. “To observe it, you generally need the darkest sky possible, i.e. outside cities. The further north you are, the better,” the meteorologist said.
The Northern Lights are among the most beautiful natural phenomena in the sky. While they are quite common in polar regions, they rarely appear in lower latitudes.
The likelihood of their occurrence in the Czech Republic is linked to roughly eleven-year cycles of solar activity. “This is a rare phenomenon. In the last ten years, only lower units of cases have occurred in our country,” Adamovský explained.
On February 25, 1948, the Communist Party, with Soviet backing, assumed undisputed control over the government of Czechoslovakia, marking the onset of four decades of undisguised communist rule in the country.
After World War II through May 1946
After World War II, Czechoslovakia looked favorably on the Russians, who had liberated them. In fact, the Communist Party had had a solid following in the country from the 1920s, when the nation was democratic. Eduard Beneš, who became the postwar president, had signed a friendship treaty with the Soviets while working with the government-in-exile in 1943.
The Czechoslovak army and local government structure were modeled after those in the USSR. By the beginning of 1946, there was no USSR military presence in the country, yet Communists were well-represented in the government with Klement Gottwald as the Prime Minister and other Communists looking after the ministries of the interior, agriculture, information, defense, and education.
The results of the May 1946 elections demonstrated the popularity of the Party, as it nabbed 38 percent of the vote.
The Communist Party’s popularity drops
From May 1946 until July 1947, things seemed to be running smoothly in Czechoslovakia. Then the nation wanted to obtain Marshall Aid. However, the USSR intervened and forbid their ally from accepting US help, stating that it would breach the existing friendship treaty.
The Soviet Union’s decision regarding Marshall Aid did not put the Communists in favor of the people. Economic difficulties, farmers’ objections to collectivization, and disappointment with the fast pace of industrialization were additional reasons why citizens then began to see the Communist Party in a different light.
Communists reacted strongly to the criticism. In November of 1947, several non-Communist ministers received parcel bombs, most likely courtesy of the Communists. A public opinion poll in January of 1948 showed that the Communists’ popularity had dropped to 25 percent and that they did not have much student support.
The turning point, the resignations, and the riots
Then came a key moment. Minister of the Interior Nosek and Prime Minister Gottwald refused to give in to the demands. Trade unions showed their support for the Communist Party, and the Communists set up armed “action committees” in industrial plants, farms, and villages. The people’s militia, comprised of 7,000 members, was formed on February 20.
The 12 non-Communist ministers turned in their resignations, predicting that President Beneš would be able to form a new government that would say good riddance to the Communist Party.
However, that was not to be the case. Instead, violent Communist-led demonstrations erupted. Armed trade unionists rioted in the Prague streets, attacking the offices of the political opposition. The Army was the only force that could oppose the Communists, and it was run by Communist General Ludvík Svoboda.
Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Valerian Zorin, who was visiting Prague supposedly to oversee Soviet grain shipments to the country, assured the Czechoslovak army that the Russians would stop any Western interference if it arose. Then the Red Army took up positions on the Czechoslovak borders.
President Beneš’ dilemma
To say that President Beneš found himself in a difficult situation is a gross understatement. He was afraid the Soviets would intervene or that a civil war would start. Beneš made a big mistake by hesitating and not trying to convince the non-Communists to take action. Only some students had openly stood up to the Communists and had been physically beaten on Prague’s Nerudova Street.
Besides, Beneš wanted the USSR to be a significant role-player in Eastern Europe because he did not want Germany to gain power again. He also was convinced that USSR-style Communism would be moderate, by no means extreme.
Then Gottwald threatened that there would be a general strike and also presented Beneš with a list of so-called reactionaries who would be punished if he did not sign the Communist government’s set of proposals. President Beneš accepted Gottwald’s proposal for a new government that gave power to the political party which would cause so much suffering and pain and destroys so many lives for more than 40 years.
The aftermath
The aftermath of the coup was telling. Only days later, democratic Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Masaryk, the son of first Czechoslovak president Tomáš G. Masaryk, died a mysterious death. He either fell or was pushed off a balcony of the Czernin Palace and was found on the pavement below his office.
A constitution modeled after that in the USSR became law, and Beneš refused to sign it. No opposition to the Communist Party was allowed. Many citizens were fired or arrested. A frail and sick Beneš resigned on June 6.
Gottwald became President while Antonín Zapotocký took up the post of Prime Minister.
Beneš passed away on September 3, 1948, and with him the democratic hopes, dreams, and tradition of Czechoslovakia died as well, only to be miraculously resuscitated in November of 1989.
“Back then, before World War II, Hitler behaved in exactly the same way as Putin is behaving now with regard to Ukraine,” the ex-general said at a pro-Ukraine demonstration in Prague on Saturday evening.
Czech President-elect Petr Pavel has drawn parallels between the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler.
“Back then, before World War II, Hitler behaved in exactly the same way as Putin is behaving now with regard to Ukraine,” the ex-general said at a pro-Ukraine demonstration in Prague on Saturday evening, according to Czech News Agency (CTK).
Pavel said Hitler abused the German minority in the Sudeten territories of what was then Czechoslovakia to stir up emotions and incite violence.
Nazi Germany annexed the predominantly German-populated Sudeten territories under the Munich Agreement of September 1938.
A few months later, in March 1939, its forces invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. World War II finally broke out with the invasion of Poland on Sept. 1 that year.
The rally was attended by several personalities. Among the speakers was Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, the British, German and US ambassadors to Prague and Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires Vitaly Usatyj.
It was organized by the civic association Million Moments for Democracy, Memory of the Nation, the Ukrainian Embassy and the Gift for Putin initiative.
Pavel will take over from current Czech President Milos Zeman on March 9.
The former NATO general defeated ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babis in a runoff election in late January with 58.3% of the vote.
Nestled in the picturesque South Bohemian Region, Castle Blatna stands as a breathtaking architectural gem with a rich history dating back to the 13th century.
While the castle has been a popular tourist destination for years, the addition of alpaca tours has elevated the experience to a whole new level.
Its origins are traced back to the 13th century, with additions and renovations made over the centuries. The current appearance of the castle dates back to the 16th century when it was transformed into a Renaissance-style chateau.
The castle was later acquired by the Schwarzenberg family, who were responsible for the majority of the castle’s interior and exterior renovations.
Today, the castle stands as a remarkable testament to Czech architecture and history, with its original features and unique character attracting visitors from around the world.
You can admire its imposing façade, a blend of Gothic and Renaissance elements, and its stunning interior spaces that are adorned with ornate stucco and frescoes.
The alpacas are looked after by the current owners of the castle, who have made it their mission to introduce visitors to these friendly animals while providing an unforgettable experience.
The alpaca tours begin with an introduction to the animals and their habits, followed by a leisurely walk through the castle’s vast grounds. As visitors stroll with the alpacas, they are treated to stunning views of the castle, its moat, and the surrounding countryside.
The tour also provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the castle and the surrounding region, adding an educational aspect to the experience.
These walks are a unique way to explore the castle and its surroundings, adding a touch of whimsy and charm to an already captivating destination.
The tours are available throughout the year, with different tour options depending on the season. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy the lush greenery of the castle’s gardens, while winter tours offer a magical experience with snow-covered grounds.
However, as the alpacas do not enjoy walking in extreme weather, keep in mind that in the event of such conditions, organisers will have to cancel the tour.
Unused coal mines in Ostrava will be getting a new lease on life, transformed into massive electrical storage facilities within the next few years.
Becoming the world’s first gravity power plant, the project is a joint venture between Czech State enterprise Diamo, the Ostrava University and Technology, and the British startup Gravitricity.
Gravitricity chose to partner with the Czech Republic for this project due to the many underutilized coal mines in the East of the country.
The exact location of the gravity power plant is undecided as of yet, but the company’s have highlighted some candidates, all in the Moravian-Silesian region. “We are currently considering several possible locations. At the moment, the most likely one is Darkov”, noted Gravitricity head Charlie Blair.
With a projected cost of over 700 million crowns, the majority of the funding for this project will be provided by Gravitricity, it is intending to acquire additional funding from the European Union’s Innovation Fund.
Blair provided a rough timeline for construction, stating that “Ideally, the plant should be up and running in 2026. If all goes well, we’d like to start up a few more in the country,”
“Of course, the project also has a lot of technical difficulties that will have to be overcome,” Diam director Ludvík Kašpar noted. “So the first step will definitely be the development of a feasibility study. Otherwise, everything is fully under the direction of the Gravitricity company, we primarily provide it with our support and know-how,” adds Kašpar.
The patented technology used by Gravitricity provides a way to store surplus electricity underground through gravitational mechanisms, rather than chemical.
Given that the European Union generates a significant portion of its energy through renewable resources, this method of energy storage proves to be beneficial.
Surplus and deficiency are inherent in renewable resources – such as solar and wind power – as they are highly dependent on fluctuations in weather conditions.
Gratricity believes that its technology could be used to mitigate the fluctuations in energy generated from renewable sources by storing surplus energy to be used during a deficit.
Further, the technology would be a far more environmentally friendly alternative to the widely used lithium-ion batteries. Other benefits would include greater longevity of the battery, lower cost, and reuse of existing infrastructure. The project will also create employment
opportunities in the region, which – after the end of coal mining – sees unemployment rates higher than other regions in the Czech Republic
“We are definitely counting on establishing a branch in the Czech Republic and employing local people. We are also open to cooperation with other entities, with some of whom we are already negotiating with at the moment,” stated Blair.
Prototypes have proven the concept, although experts point out that there is much progress to be made before the technology can see a widespread commercial adoption
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The Czech Ministry of Health has spent over 18 billion crowns on dealing with the Covid pandemic in the past three years. According to a ministry report 14.6 billion was spent on vaccines, 2.3 billion on protective equipment and lung ventilators, 940 million was spent on operating the Smart Quarantine system.
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The Czech minister of foreign affairs, Jan Lipavský, says Russia must withdraw unconditionally from the whole of Ukraine. In an address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Mr. Lipavský said Russia’s aggression, which has now been going on for a year, had caused unimaginable suffering both in Ukraine and elsewhere.
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General Emil Boček, the last surviving Czech airman who served in Britain’s RAF during WWII, turned 100 on Saturday, February 25. The veteran pilot served with the RAF’s 312 and 310 squadrons and participated in over two dozen operational flights.
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Universities in the Czech Republic secured studies of some 3,500 Ukrainian refugees last year, and the Education Ministry gave 173 million crowns to universities for the education of refugees from Ukraine.
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The town of Číhošt’ in the Havlíčkův Brod region is marking 73 years since the murder of priest Josef Toufar, who died after being brutally tortured by the communist secret police in 1950.
A car crashed onto a sidewalk in Prague’s Jugoslávská street near the I.P. Pavlova tram stop on Friday night hitting pedestrians and crashing into a building.
Paramedics treated five injured people – two from the car and three pedestrians. All the injured were conscious and not in life-threatening danger.
Police say the driver likely crashed due to a medical complication. Police spokeswoman Violeta Siřišťová told the Czech News Agency today.
The accident occurred around 12:00 AM. “The driver likely crashed into a building due to a medical complication and before that hit a pedestrian,” Siřišťová said.
Paramedics reported that the driver had injuries to his arms and legs and was convulsing after a seizure. One of the pedestrians suffered more serious injuries, including head trauma and injuries to both legs. The other three patients had minor injuries.
Firefighters also responded to the scene. “After documentation by police, we extricated the car and covered up the leaking operating fluids,” they tweeted.
Due to the accident, tram traffic was interrupted for about half an hour in both directions between I.P. Pavlova and Karlovo náměstí stops, and night lines were diverted.
The traffic police are currently investigating the circumstances of the accident, Siřišťová added.
On the morning of Friday, February 24th, a new mural by one of the best Czech street artists, Dmitry Proškin, better known by his pseudonym ChemiS, was unveiled in the center of Prague.
The mural is located on the facade of the lower house of the Czech parliament.
It is painted on a freestanding stand (not on the wall of the historical building).
It depicts a 7-year-old girl, Amelia, who became one of the symbols of hope during the first difficult days of the full-scale Russian invasion – a video of her singing “Let It Go” from the Disney cartoon “Frozen” in a Kiev bomb shelter went around the world.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian embassy, Czech politicians, and Ukrainian refugees.
“One of the symbols of the war was a seven-year-old girl Amelia, who shocked the world at the very beginning of the war by singing her famous song right from a bomb shelter in Kiev. For me, she is a symbol of great hope,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
We should remind you that Dmitry Proškin also has another touching work in support of Ukraine – a drawing of a girl defending her favorite fairytale characters with a Ukrainian flag.
Friday’s session of the Chamber of Deputies started with a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the Russian war on Ukraine.
For about a week now, one of the picturesque streets in the city center – Týnská – has looked more like a traffic playground. The historic character of the center is now complemented by white zigzag lines.
They are meant to improve traffic safety in an area where no more than 20 cars are allowed.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this, and I’m frankly appalled. Aesthetically, it’s horrible,” said Prague 1 Deputy Mayor David Bodeček (Pirates). “I find it very unsightly. It was news to me this morning (Thursday, ed.). But it is a matter for the Prague 1 Transport Department, which is not obliged to consult us on such issues,” the mayor said.
However, Terezie Radoměřská, the Transport Department’s representative, said the measure is intended to improve safety at the site.
“It is for the sake of the people coming out of the house behind the break in the alley. It’s quite narrow at that point and breaks slightly to the left. Drivers have a blind spot there, there’s an exit from the house. Local residents have repeatedly complained to us that it is extremely dangerous to leave the house there,” shes said.
Ludvík Czital, head of the Prague 1 Transport Department, confirms: “In this street, drivers tend to stick not to the middle of the road, but to the inside of the curve. People living in this house often felt threatened here”.
“I don’t agree with this marking. It is the work of a municipal official. I am in contact with Vojtěch Ryvola, the Prague 1 councilor for transport. He has promised to resolve it as soon as possible,” Zdeněk Hřib told TN.cz.
But Robert Kotál, director of the Traffic Academy, sees no problem at the site. “It’s a horizontal traffic sign, called a white zigzag line, and I think it’s placed there absolutely correctly. The street is narrow, and there are children walking there, and it encourages drivers to be careful.”
However, the conservationist’s opinion is uncompromising. “Týnská lane is not very busy. In my opinion, the measure kind of misses the point. It has the same character as spraying graffiti. They are the work of rude people who apply them inappropriately even in a historical environment,” points out Josef Štulc, a lecturer from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ).
Czechia hosts the most Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection status per population among European Union nations, Eurostat data shows.
By the end of last year, there were over 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection status on European Union territory. Among them, one-half stayed in Germany and Poland, roughly one quarter in each, followed by Czechia, which had an 11% share.
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February last year, the EU decided to activate for the first time rules that enabled refugees to get temporary protection – a mechanism that gives access to public health insurance, education and the labour market.
EU countries even decided to prolong the temporary protection scheme until March 2024 due to continued fighting in Ukraine, despite it initially being set to end in March this year.
Germany and Poland granted temporary protection status to 968,000 and 961,000 Ukrainian refugees at the end of last year, while Czechia granted 432 000, Eurostat data shows.
According to the most recent data from the Interior Ministry, about 500,000 war refugees from Ukraine have secured temporary protection visas in Czechia.
The ministry also estimated at the end of 2022 that, about one-fifth of refugees had already returned home.
The temporary protection extension will help gain more precise data on how many refugees are really staying in Czechia.
As of 20 February, 230,000 Ukrainians requested extended protection, the ministry stated in a press release.
Most Czechs favour helping refugees and aligning with the West regarding the conflict, a recent poll by the STEM research institute shows.