Good evening. Here is theThursday, November 23edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Hauliers will decide on a blockade over the weekend
In the picture, a 16-kilometre long tailback from the Vyšné Nemecké border crossing to the village of Nižná Rybnica in the Sobrance district in the early evening of November 10, 2023. (source: TASR)
On Saturday, the Slovak Hauliers’ Union (UNAS) will decide on whether hauliers will continue to block the border crossing in Vyšné Nemecké.
The crossing point with Ukraine has come under pressure following the blockade of four Polish border crossings with Ukraine in recent weeks. Polish hauliers demand the EU reintroduce a permit system to limit the number of Ukrainian lorries entering the EU. Slovak hauliers have supported the initiative.
UNAS blocked the Vyšné Nemecké border crossing for an hour last week. Today, the association is saying that the blockade will make sense only if Hungarian hauliers also join in. UNAS is threatening to block the crossing point completely if the Commission doesn’t act.
The Slovak Transport Ministry backed UNAS on Thursday, claiming that Hungary holds a similar opinion. The ministry also asked hauliers to not block the crossing point for now.
The Slovak police have overseen the traffic situation near the border crossing up until now.
More stories from The Slovak Spectator website
Politics: Czech President Petr Pavel planned to cancel his meeting with Slovak PM Robert Fico. The meeting will eventually take place on Friday.
Business: Slovakia will have its first battery plant thanks to a Slovak-Chinese firm.
Government: The state seems to be eliminating the fight against hybrid threats.
Opinion: How to help children manage anxiety.
Bratislava: Enjoy Bratislava for free with our three recommendations.
Travel: An ice cathedral in the Tatras pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
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FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY
He made Ukrainians happy. Later, he decided to bring joy to EU citizens
ColorWay founder Oleg Krystiuk. (source: LinkedIn)
Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Krystiuk says he has always been a dreamer. And for as long as he can remember he has enjoyed making his dreams come true. One of his dreams was to create something of his own. In 2007 he founded his own firm, ColorWay, which also operates in Slovakia.
SAVE THE DATE
A silent film with live music
The Austrian Cultural Centre in Bratislava will screen the Austrian expressionist film, “The City Without Jews” (1924), on December 6. During the silent film, live music performed by violinist Alicia Svigals and pianist Donald Sosin.
The free screening starts at 18:00. However, registration is required at pressburg-kf@bmeia.gv.at
In other news
Former teacher Michal Bilišňanský, 41, ha been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing 17 boys aged 12 to 13 during a ski camp in 2021. Bilišňanský suffers from ephebophilia (sexual interest in mid-to-late adolescents). The state sent €5,200 each to 17 children as part of compensation for being victims of violent crimes. (Korzár)
The Finance Ministry is preparing a bill that would introduce a tax on sweetened soft drinks. The ministry argues that it wants to motivate people to live a healthier lifestyle. It adds that about 50 countries have introduced a similar tax.
All pensioners will receive the 13th pension, ranging from €50 to €300, as well as a one-off bonus of €300 in 2023. The bonus will cost the state €440 million.
Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštók (Hlas) faced a vote of no-confidence for police purges on Thursday in the parliament. “Be careful about the word revenge. We are talking about the application of legal regulations,” said PM Robert Fico (Smer) in defense of his minister. The minister has the right to surround himself with people he trusts, Fico added. The opposition described Šutaj Eštók, who had talked in the chamber for more than an hour, as arrogant for suspending and bullying some police investigators. Prior to the parliamentary election, Fico and Šutaj Eštók, in particular, had talked about taking revenge on the police officers investigating corruption linked to the previous Smer-led governments. Those officers are currently protected thanks to the whistle-blower status and cannot be fired, but the minister argues that they should not have been granted the status. The court is currently deciding on the cases of selected suspended police officers.
Austria will continue to carry out border checks with Slovakia until it is necessary, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said on Thursday. The Schengen Area is not working today, he noted.
Deputy Environment Minister Filip Kuffa (SNS nom.) and Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer) announced the intention to cancel the Malá Fatra National Park and replace it with a nature park, in which a lower level of protection would apply. (Denník N)
The Jahodná ski resort near Košice on November 23, 2023. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Large cloud cover during the day. In most areas, rain or showers. At higher altitudes, snowfall. Rare black ice.
The first-level wind warning will be in place in the districts of Bratislava, Senec, Pezinok and Dunajská Streda from tonight (21:00 on Thursday - 8:00 on Friday). The first-level black ice warning will be in place in the Prešov Region and some districts in the Žilina and Košice Regions from midnight until Friday morning. (SHMÚ)
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