Czech news in brief for October 1: Tuesday's top headlines

A woman and her two children were hit by a tram on Prague’s Zenklova Street near the Palmovka stop at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The woman, who suffered multiple injuries, was freed by firefighters, while her three-year-old child sustained bruises. The second child, around five, was unharmed. All were taken to the hospital. Police are investigating the incident.

The Czech President has accepted the proposal to dismiss Ivan Bartoš as Minister for Regional Development, with Vice PM Marian Jurečka entrusted to take over. Bartoš has also been sacked as Deputy PM for Digitization. Two other ministers from the Pirates will resign. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský may remain as an unaffiliated expert. Prime Minister Fiala aims to complete cabinet changes by the end of next week. The Pirate Party voted to withdraw from the government coalition due to Prime Minister Fiala’s breach of the coalition agreement following Bartoš's dismissal.

Prague City Hall will provide CZK 50 million to municipalities in northern Moravia, southern Bohemia, and northern Bohemia affected by the September floods. Ostrava and Jesenik will receive CZK 10 million each, while Bruntál, Opava, and Višňová will each get five million. Additional funds will go to other affected towns. Previously, Prague sent material aid, including drinking water, to the regions.

The price of the year-round highway stamp in the Czech Republic will increase by CZK 140 to 2,440 from January, while prices for shorter periods will also go up. The increase is due to inflation and the expansion of the highway network. The Ministry of Transport announced the change, with exceptions for certain types of vehicles. The last increase in the year-round stamp price occurred in March.

The Czech Crown Jewels were returned to the Crown Chamber in St. Vitus Cathedral after a two-week exhibition in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. The exhibition, which took place from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30, was visited by over 46,000 people, a record, with some days reserved for school groups. President Petr Pavel has decided to hold the annual exhibition on Sept. 28, St. Wenceslas’ Day.