Hello. Here is theThursday, August 1 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Convoy of Hope will head to Ukraine
Old ambulances ready for delivery to Ukraine. (source: Facebook/Ukraine Focus)
On February 24, 2022, as Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, former U.S. public official Brock Bierman found himself unexpectedly in Slovakia, stranded by the closure of the Moldovan airport. Faced with the unfolding crisis, Bierman felt an urgent call to action. Rather than staying put, he crossed into Ukraine, seeking to understand the dire needs of a country gripped by conflict and overwhelmed by internally displaced people.
Drawing inspiration from historical figures like Ernest Hemingway, who volunteered as ambulance drivers during the First World War, Bierman took a hands-on approach to aid. He began driving ambulances. Alongside a dedicated team from the non-profit organisation Ukraine Focus, which he founded, Bierman has led multiple humanitarian missions, delivering vital medical aid. In June, they journeyed from Normandy, France, to Ukraine, delivering 50 ambulances—a lifeline for many in the war-torn country.
This August, they will set out on another mission. Starting from Normandy and winding through countries like Slovakia, the convoy aims to deliver 15 more emergency medical vehicles to Ukraine.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: Czech teenager arrested for plotting attack on Rainbow Pride event in Bratislava.
Sport: Slovak-American gymnast grabs global spotlight with his routine at the Paris Olympics, while 19-year-old Slovak canoeist Zuzana Paňková delivers a strong performance at the same Games.
Bratislava: This Saturday, catch the action as 12 teams from Slovakia and beyond compete in flag football, and check out our latest guides for three free things to do in Bratislava and the top 10 events in the capital.
History: Detva, a town in central Slovakia, is known today for folklore, but the area has been settled long before the town existed.
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FEATURE STORY
American talent rewrites Slovak football history
Luke Ryan Kleinpeter. (source: Courtesy of L. K.)
Young goalkeeper Luke Ryan Kleinpeter has made his mark in Slovakia’s football scene with a series of remarkable achievements. Playing for Lokomotíva Devínska Nová Ves, a club recently promoted to Slovakia’s fourth-tier league, the 22-year-old Texan led his team to an unexpected victory over top-tier AS Trenčín last October. Kleinpeter’s stellar performance also guided the club to triumph in the fifth-tier league, securing their promotion.
EVENT
Authors’ Reading Month: Eugene Chen
As Authors’ Reading Month draws to a close, immerse yourself this Saturday (19:00) in Bratislava (Zichy Palace) in the evocative words of Taiwanese-Indonesian writer Eugene Chen. Dubbed “a versatile voice in Taiwan’s millennial literature,” Chen will offer an insightful dialogue and showcase her creative prowess, bringing the month’s literary festivities to a close with a touch of international flair.
IN OTHER NEWS
The police have accused a 27-year-old Nigerian living in Dunajská Streda, southern Slovakia, of rape and sexual violence, which he allegedly committed in the centre of Bratislava on July 27.
Forbes has released its ranking of the top 20 most popular Slovak influencers. Slovaks have selected theoretical physicist Samuel Kováčik, known online as Vedátor, as their favourite influencer. The ranking was based on responses from over 18,000 individuals aged 15 to 40 who completed an online survey.
In Bratislava’s Petržalka district, an unidentified man reportedly fired several shots from a weapon on Ševčenko Street on Thursday. According to current information, no injuries or property damage have been reported in connection with the incident.
From the beginning of August, the owners of selected electric scooters, e-bikes, or Segways must have a Motor Third Party Vehicle Liability (MTPL) insurance policy. According to the law, those who own an electric scooter or a Segway with a speed of more than 25 km per hour will be obliged to have MTPL insurance, as well as those whose scooters reach a speed of more than 14 km per hour and weigh more than 25 kg. Most scooters will not be affected by these changes because they do not fulfil these criteria. Allianz - Slovenská poisťovňa reacts to the amendment by
modifying the insurance conditions of the already existing MTPL product for vehicles, Moje Auto. It will create a new category of e-scooters, e-bikes without vehicle registration number. The insurance will also be available to clients of the insurer Generali. ČSOB poisťovňa plans to provide MTPL for electric scooters, but not immediately from August 1. (SITA)The opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) is launching a new summer campaign that is to show to the people that the government of Robert Fico (Smer) serves only itself and not the people. The party will put up to 120 billboards all over Slovakia and especially in the regions, districts and towns where the ruling parties have the strongest support.
Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) has filed a disciplinary motion against Supreme Court judge Juraj Kliment, proposing to dismiss him. Susko signalled that he would opt for this move back in June, pointing to decisions of the highest judicial authorities regarding the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms by a Supreme Court senate of which Kliment forms part. (TASR)
Slovak tennis player Anna Karolína Schmiedlová lost in the semifinals of the women’s singles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, falling to Croatia’s Donna Vekić 4-6, 0-6. On Friday at 15:00, she will compete for the bronze medal against the world number one and top seed, Iga Świątek of Poland. (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Expect daytime temperatures to range from 27°C to 32°C, with cooler conditions in the northwest, where temperatures will be between 22°C and 27°C. Rain showers will spread across many areas throughout the day. Meteorologists have issued a storm warning for central Slovakia, much of western Slovakia, and parts of eastern Slovakia. The warning will be in effect from 10:00 on Friday through the evening. (SHMÚ)
AUGUST 2 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Gustáv.
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