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A new Czech Television documentary, Barbican: Forgotten Mission, tells the previously unknown story of how around 100 Jewish children were air-bridged to the UK from Prague in early 1939. The organisers were a Christian group focused on converting Jews and their actions predated the well-known kindertransports run by Sir Nicholas Winton, though he was involved. The film’s director Jiří František Potužník says the story began with an archive photo of a small boy and a pilot.

The highly-anticipated first televised debate between current Czech president, Miloš Zeman, and his challenger Jiří Drahoš, drew more than two million viewers. Political veteran Zeman dictated much of the tempo and landed more punches but his opponent was seen as holding his own. Most criticised was the discussion format itself, which hamstrung serious debate.

The Czech educational game ‘Attentat 1942’ about the Nazi occupation of Bohemia and Moravia will be competing at the prestigious world Independent Games Festival. The project, developed by Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences, tells a story of the occupation through the eyes of survivors.

ANO leader Andrej Babiš will get a second chance to form a government, irrespective of who wins the upcoming presidential election. Incumbent Miloš Zeman made the comment on a debate program on TV Barrandov on Monday in which an empty chair stood in for his challenger, Jiří Drahoš.

An investigation into what caused a fire at a five-story Prague hotel Eurostars David on Saturday is continuing. Four people died, two on site and two later in hospital. What remains unknown is what caused the blaze and there are questions whether the alarm system worked properly.

The lower house of Parliament decided Friday to lift immunity for the prime minister and his ANO senior party colleague Jaroslav Faltýnek to face criminal charges for the alleged abuse of EU funds in connection with the Stork’s Nest complex. Despite having consistently denied any wrongdoing, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his close associate asked for their immunity to be waived during the heated debate.

Emergency steps have been taken to close one of Prague’s main bridges to traffic after a report highlighting its dangerous state. The moves came fast on the heels of warnings that many other bridges are in a poor state of repair and follows the collapse of one walkway over the Vltava at the end of last year.

A Russian newspaper says that the health of Yevgeny Nikulin, accused by the US of hacking computers at top companies, has deteriorated severely in a Czech prison. His lawyer describes the situation as a “death sentence”. However, the Czech authorities refute the allegations.

The political future of current Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš seems rather up in the air at present. His perceived ally Miloš Zeman may struggle to win re-election in the second round of presidential elections next week and, with Mr. Babiš likely to face criminal charges, the ANO chief now says another top party figure could lead the government. I discussed the situation with political scientist Petr Just.

The Czech Republic’s biggest manufacturing company, Škoda Auto, set new sales records in 2017 with demand strong across the world. Established models as well as some of the latest roll outs contributed to the soaring deliveries of the Czech cars.