Good evening. Here is the Friday, June 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
A "strawberry moon" will appear in the sky this weekend
It's your chance to see a rare 'strawberry moon'. (source: Pexels)
In a rare astronomical event, a unique "strawberry moon" will grace the skies of Slovakia this weekend, visible from Thursday evening to Sunday morning, according to NASA.
This occurrence coincides with the summer solstice, with the full moon expected to be at its lowest point above the horizon this year, offering a spectacular sight for skywatchers.
Astronomer Petr Horálek highlighted that the moon will reach its fullest phase at 03:10 CEST on Saturday, shortly after peaking just above the southern horizon.
A strawberry moon converges with the summer solstice approximately every 20 years, making this a particularly captivating moment for lunar observers.
The moon's low position will allow for optimal viewing opportunities; its size may even appear magnified due to an optical illusion created when the moon is near the horizon.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: A hospital doctor who treated Robert Fico after he was shot on May 15 has been describing how the medical team overcame pressure; he also commented on the premier's rapid recovery.
Bratislava: Join the group of foreigners this weekend in their local hike to Bratislava Lesopark.
Weekend: Find out about a location known as the Bermuda Triangle of Slovakia, a place where people have reportedly gone missing. Would you go there for a hike?
Culture: Archaeologists have unearthed human remains, including a severed hand, at a Bronze Age gallows site in Holíč, shedding light on execution practices in Slovakia's Záhorie region.
Good news: Our fresh selection of feel-good stories includes Slovak athletes' spiffy new outfits, a company that's turning cigarette butts into asphalt, and a comely bug that's been spotted in Bratislava.
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FEATURE STORY FOR THE WEEKEND
The young Slovak woman breaking stereotypes to follow her dreams
Natália Zacharová (source: Courtesy of Dual Academy)
A 17-year-old female student is breaking stereotypes in order to fulfil her passion for cars and turn it into a future career. Despite a stereotype which portrays engineers as typically men, Olívia Zacharová is attending a private vocational school in order to become an automotive engineeering specialist.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
How about a picnic in the Waterworks' Garden?
(source: infoglobe.sk)
In this hot summer weather, a picnic in the Waterworks' Garden is a perfect idea! Bring your blankets and snacks, and enjoy the rich programme.
IN OTHER NEWS
Parliament has approved amendments to Slovakia's public procurement law, significantly raising contract limits where competitive bidding is not required. The changes aim to expedite state purchases starting in August, despite concerns about reduced transparency in tendering processes. The move follows government efforts to streamline procedures and increase flexibility for local authorities and Eurofund recipients.
The Defence Ministry has filed criminal complaints against fomer prime minister Eduard Heger and former defence minister Jaroslav Naď for donating MiG-29 fighter jets and parts of a Kub air defence system to Ukraine in March 2023 under Heger's interim government. Deputy minister Igor Melicher cited suspicions of sabotage, abuse of public office, and mismanagement of foreign property. The jets were obsolete and had been grounded in 2022, so their donation had little effect on Slovakia's defence; the move is widely seen as a political manoeuvre by the parties now in government. (TASR)
The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) issued first and second-level alerts for storms and possible hail on Friday. Meteorologists warned of heavy rain causing temporary rises in water levels and potential flooding outside of waterways. Strong winds accompanying the storms could damage vegetation, forests, buildings, electrical lines, and pose risks to human safety, with wind gusts reaching 70 to 110 kilometres per hour. (SITA)
Slovakia lost its second EURO 2024 group E match to Ukraine 1-2 on Friday, June 21. Despite a strong start, with Slovakia's Ivan Schranz scoring first, Mykola Shaparenko equalized in the 54th minute, and Roman Yaremchuk sealed Ukraine's victory with an 80th-minute goal. Slovakia plays its final group game against Romania on June 26. (source: SITA)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
Saturday will be warm and mostly cloudy across most of the country, with showers and locally intense thunderstorms. Sunday's weather will be similar, with isolated thunderstorms. The highest daytime temperature over the weekend will range from 24°C to 30°C. There are thunderstorm warnings (level 2 in western Slovakia and level 1 in eastern Slovakia) covering the entire territory of Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday - Paulína, Sunday - Sidónia, Monday - Ján.
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