Czech news in brief for October 13: Monday's top morning headlines

Andrej Babiš will meet Motorists chairman Petr Macinka and honorary president Filip Turek to discuss archived social media posts containing alleged racist, sexist, and homophobic statements. The Motorists insist on nominating MPs to cabinet posts in the emerging ANO-SPD-Motorists government. Deník N stands by its reporting. Turek denies the allegations. The coalition has agreed on cabinet seat distribution: ANO nine, SPD three, and Motorists four. Read full story here.

Georgian resistance leaders urged the EU to impose sanctions on their country’s authoritarian regime at Prague’s Forum 2000. The group highlighted the imprisonment of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, describing her as Georgia’s first female political prisoner in the post-Soviet era. Speakers criticized police brutality and repression of protests over disputed elections and EU accession delays. The Czech government recently imposed visas on Georgian officials and added five citizens to its sanctions list.

The 135th Grand Pardubice Steeplechase saw history as Stumptown, an eight-year-old Irish bay, became the first foreign winner in 30 years. Jockey Keith Michael Donoghue outpaced High In The Sky, ridden by Jan Faltejsek, in a dramatic finish. Outsider Caryjape finished third. Defending champion Sexy Lord withdrew near the end, and last year’s runner-up Godfrey missed the race due to injury. Prize money totaled 5 million crowns.

A study by the National Institute SYRI shows Ukrainian students in Brno are increasingly integrated into Czech schools after one year, initially speaking mostly among themselves. Researchers highlight the importance of school environments fostering social adaptation. While Ukrainian students had fewer friends than Czech peers at first, intercultural ties grew over time. Socio-cultural factors, rather than economic background, proved decisive in successful integration.

The Czech Republic will see alternating cloudy and sunny days this week, with light precipitation mostly below normal, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said. Daytime highs will reach 9–14°C, dropping to near zero at night by the weekend. Rainfall may reach 10 mm in mountains, with snow above 1,200 meters. The weekend will begin cloudy with showers but clear gradually, with daytime highs around 13°C and nighttime lows down to −2°C.

The Central Library in Prague has introduced self-service hours on Saturday mornings and Sundays, allowing visitors to borrow books using library cards without librarian assistance. Over 500 readers tried the system in September. Security cameras and background staff ensure oversight. The measure aims to help students access study materials and is part of a wider rollout across Prague branches. Tourists can also view the library’s art installation “Idiom” on weekends.