Good evening. Here is the Thursday, December 28 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Foreigners in Slovakia want to help
A view from the Manderlák building in Bratislava. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
The results of a new focus group survey that paints a picture of foreigners' participation in Slovak public life have been published. Researchers talked to 19 foreigners living in Bratislava to learn more about their experience, their topics of interest regarding civic life, and the hurdles they have encountered during their attempts to participate.
Some of the respondents prefer to follow what is happening in the town or region where they live, because they feel that it has an immediate impact on their lives.
Others are more interested in national politics. They like to compare the current political developments in Slovakia with the situation in their home country. Yet others feel that if they live in Slovakia, they should at least have a basic overview of Slovak politics. Some don’t even mind taking part in mass protests.
"I protested alongside Slovaks because I live here and share the concerns of the locals," a respondent shared his experience with researchers.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
AUTOMOTIVE: Volvo gears up to produce e-cars in Slovakia from 2026.
ARCHAEOLOGY: Farmer discovers unusual WWII find during ploughing.
INVESTMENT: Nearshoring is one of several trends that have been observed in the industrial real estate market.
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FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY
People with autism are unique and can contribute a lot
Daniela Ostatníková during the ESET Science Award ceremony. (source: ESET Science Award/Linda Kisková Bohušová)
"[Autistic people] are unique. When I studied intellectually gifted children, it seemed to me that they lived in another dimension, and we did not have access to it," says Daniela Ostatníková, a leading Slovak autism researcher and the winner of this year's ESET Science Award in the Outstanding Academic in Slovakia category.
Talking to the Slovak Spectator, she describes the world of people with autism, how it is diagnosed, and the research into the diagnosis.
EVENTS FOR THE COMING WEEK
How to have fun without spending a cent
Christmas markets on the Main Square in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
In the new edition of 3 things to do in Bratislava for free, you will find an idea where to spend the New Year's Eve, where to see a procession of the three kings, and a reminder not to miss a festive ride through the city centre.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Bratislava Public Transport Company will boost service at the turn of the year on New Year's Eve. High-capacity buses will be dispatched, while trams 3 and 9 will operate all night, with the latter's line extended to Dúbravka borough. Night services (marked with letter N before the number) will operate every 30 minutes. (TASR)
A moderate (level 2 out of 5) avalanche danger applies to both the Malá and Veľká Fatra mountain ranges, the High Tatras, and the western part of the Low Tatras. A low avalanche danger applies to the eastern part of the Low Tatras, reports the Slovak Mountain Rescue Service on its website. (HZS)
The High Tatras on December 27. (source: TASR)
Talking to the TASR newswire, SNS head Andrej Danko admitted that the chances of him running for president are getting bigger and bigger. The party will announce its candidate in the first or second week of January. Meanwhile, the party is running surveys to see people's opinion of candidates. Danko also said that if Peter Pellegrini (Hlas) were to become the president, the former's party would ask for a redistribution of ministerial posts within the coalition. In this regard, Pellegrini, who is yet to announce his running for the post, said he refused any redistribution of the posts, but would accept SNS's support. (TASR)
The Smer party is not considering its own candidate for president, but would support Peter Pellegrini should he decide to run eventually, said PM and Smer party leader Robert Fico, adding that they are waiting for him to do so. Pellegrini said that he would announce his decision at the beginning of 2024. Recent polls suggest that trust in the Hlas party leader is rising ahead of the presidential race. (TASR)
Slovakia has received its third payment from the Recovery and Resilience Facility in full. The value of the country's application was €815 million. After deducting the pre-financing, Slovakia has obtained over €662 million. (TASR)
Slovak alpine ski racer Petra Vlhová finished 7th in the the last 2023 women’s World Cup giant slalom in Lienz, Austria. After an unsuccessful first run, she improved during the second. The American Mikaela Shiffrin won the showdown. (TASR)
Slovak apline ski racer Petra Vlhová during Women’s Lienz World Cup on Thursday, December 28. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY
Mostly cloudy and overcast, foggy and light showers expected. The sun might appear over the course of the day. Daily temperatures will be between 3 °C to 11 °C. Level 2 wind warning applies to the High and Low Tatras and surrounding area, while level 1 warning applies to the Žilina, Martin, Dolný Kubín and Námestovo districts. (SHMÚ)
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