News: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025

President Pavel: Humanity has a poor track record in learning from history

Humanity tends to forget patterns and events leading to tragic outcomes, President Petr Pavel stated at a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Prague Castle. He warned against intolerance, the rise of disinformation, and societal divisions that could lead to future conflicts. “Holocaust didn’t happen overnight. Despite extensive analysis, people forget the signs that led to it,” Pavel said. He emphasized the importance of educating younger generations through art and storytelling to convey the horrors of dehumanization. The event also highlighted the Holocaust’s lessons and the importance of vigilance to prevent history from repeating itself.

Government to decide soon on Prague-Bubny Holocaust memorial

The redevelopment of Prague-Bubny railway station, a key Holocaust site where 50,000 Jews were deported during WWII, is set to be discussed by the government. Pavlína Šulcová, director of the newly named Center for Memory and Dialogue Bubny (CPDB), expects a decision in the coming weeks. The project, estimated at CZK 300 million and backed by the Ministry of Culture, aims to create a dignified Holocaust memorial while promoting education and dialogue. Šulcová emphasized the importance of new approaches to Holocaust remembrance, including innovative public events to engage broader audiences.

EU must avoid trade war with the US, says Czech Foreign Minister Lipavský

The European Union must clearly convey to the United States that a mutual trade war is not beneficial, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (non-partisan) stated after an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He emphasized the need for the EU to present a unified stance in its dealings with the US. "There was no single conclusion, but rather a discussion where various perspectives of EU member states were expressed," Lipavský said. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced she has invited US Secretary of State Mark Rubio to a future EU ministerial meeting and plans to visit Washington soon.

Opposition parties against ODS and TOP 09 proposal on dismissal without cause

Opposition Pirates and SPD parties have rejected the proposal by governing Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and TOP 09 to allow dismissal without cause. Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Olga Richterová called the proposal disconnected from reality. The amendment, part of a flexible labor code reform under second reading in the Chamber, faces opposition also from other governing parties such as the Christian Democrats. The proposal would grant dismissed employees double severance pay—two to six months of wages, depending on tenure. Certain groups, including pregnant women, individuals on parental leave, disabled workers, and employees within five years of retirement, would be exempt. Richterová criticized the proposal as a fear-inducing move unlikely to pass, advocating for meaningful labor market modernization instead.

Karlovy Vary revoke honorary citizenship of Russian priest expelled from Czechia

Karlovy Vary city councilors have revoked the honorary citizenship of Nikolai Lishchenyuk, a former Orthodox priest at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Lishchenyuk, a Russian citizen, was expelled from Czechia in 2024 over suspicions of hostile activities, including supporting separatist movements within the EU. He had been granted honorary citizenship in 2020 for contributions to the restoration of the Orthodox church in Karlovy Vary. However, his later ties to pro-Kremlin structures and praise for Patriarch Kirill, a supporter of Russian aggression against Ukraine, led to his expulsion and the revocation decision.

Five underground train stations planned for Prague

Prague will see the construction of a two-level underground train station beneath the main railway station, with additional underground stops at Wenceslas Square, Charles Square, Karlín, and Florenc. The project, part of the city's railway hub redesign, is estimated to cost CZK 185 billion and will include two separate tunnel routes. The plan, selected by the Ministry of Transport’s central commission, prioritizes shifting regional rail traffic underground while leaving long-distance services on the surface, Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS) announced. The tunnels will span 10.6 kilometers and intersect at the main station’s central underground hub.

Weather

Cloudy to overcast. Occasional rain or showers, with snow in the mountains above 800 meters. Temperature between 6 to 10°C, and 4 to 7°C in western Bohemia.