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Czech car companies and the government have not hitherto been in the forefront of moves to promote electric cars but now both appear to have changed directions. The government is now looking to back their roll out and the biggest car maker, Škoda Auto, says a quarter of its production could be electric or hybrid cars by 2025.

Smog alerts have been declared in Prague for the second time this year and many other parts of the Czech Republic have also suffered heavy and sustained air pollution in recent months. While forecasters say weather conditions in the coming days may alleviate the situation, what is to be done to combat smog – which kills thousands of people every year – in the longer term? I discussed efforts to improve the situation with environmentalist Vojtěch Kotecký from the think tank Glopolis.

Dancing is fun, but the latest research suggests it could be far more beneficial for your health than previously thought. Scientists at Brno’s Masaryk University are studying the effects of dancing on a group of seniors to see whether practicing this form of activity regularly could slow down or even prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

When Jaromír Jágr began playing in the NHL at 18 with rock star hair (which later prompted the slogan Fear the mullet) back in 1990, few knew the talented player would still be playing more than a quarter of a century later. Not only that, but that he would be one of the best to have ever played the game, behind only the Great One Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe on goals. Jágr turned 45 on Wednesday and the future Hall of Famer is showing no signs of slowing down.

The Social Democrats will campaign for October’s general election on a pledge to introduce a special tax on banks. Party leader Bohuslav Sobotka says the new taxes would help fund schools and infrastructure and stop profits leaving the country. But critics say the move could lead to higher charges for customers and create financial instability.

111 Places in Prague that You Shouldn’t Miss (111 Míst v Praze která Musíte Vidět in Czech) is a remarkable guidebook mapping some of the city’s most unusual corners and best-kept secrets. If you want to learn how to visit a hotel with just one room, the city’s surviving paternoster elevators, or a special bridge built by the communists, this is the guidebook for you.

Last year saw a two-fold increase in applications for Czech citizenship according to newly released data from the interior ministry. In 2016, almost 4,000 applicants proved successful in this quest, which requires passing a language test, having a clean criminal record, and also proof of not being a social burden. Martin Rozumek is the head of the Organisation for Aid to Refugees. He explained that legislation in effect since 2014 was a major factor behind the increase:

February 13 is World Radio Day recognizing the importance of radio as a media source, providing essential information and analysis. As a public broadcaster, Czech Radio plays a key role in covering the domestic scene (while Radio Prague broadcasts about the Czech Republic abroad).

A new Czech documentary film pays tribute to one of the country’s last remaining war heroes, Czechoslovak RAF veteran General Emil Boček. The 94-year old war pilot made headlines last year when he got his wish to fly a Spitfire once again, more than seven decades after his last flight in the iconic plane. Documentary film maker Daniel Hnát was in London for the memorable occasion and the result is a half-hour documentary called “Twenty minutes over London”.

Journalism, at least what passes for independent or objective journalism, is not enjoying the best of times worldwide. And Central Europe is one place where freedoms gained and consolidated over the past 25 years look like they are being eroded. That trend was this week highlighted by journalists in Prague as they pledged to cooperate in trying to defend media freedom across the region.