Good evening. Here is theWednesday, November 8 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in fewer than five minutes.
Government stops military aid for Ukraine
Slovakia has sent 13 MiG-29 jets to Ukraine. (source: TASR - Ján Krošlák)
On Wednesday, the government rejected the 14th package of military aid proposed and prepared by the former technocratic government of Ľudovít Ódor.
The aid was supposed to consist of 4 million rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition; 5,172 rounds for 125 mm-calibre cannon, 140 missiles for the Kub missile-defence system, eight mortars and 1,200 mines. In total, the package was worth €40.3 million.
PM Robert Fico and his Smer party have repeatedly said that the government would stop military aid to Ukraine.
However, military aid to Ukraine provided on a commercial basis within companies operating in Slovakia and the Czech Republic has no influence on the position of the Slovak government in this matter and will continue.
Since the war in Ukraine began, Slovakia has provided Ukraine with 13 packages of military aid totalling €671 million. The former also donated its old S-300 air-defence system, grounded MiG-29 fighter jets, helicopters and other equipment.
Among other military aid being provided is the repair of damaged military vehicles and seized Russian tanks and technology.
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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY
The long wait is almost over
The iconic Lekáreň u Salvatora pharmacy is located on Panská Street, opposite St Martin's Cathedral. (source: TASR)
The re-opening of the iconic Lekáreň u Salvatora pharmacy in the historic centre has been awaited since the city announced that it had acquired the original 300-year-old furniture. It will happen by the end of the year. In addition to medicine, there should be tours and exhibits in its premises.
"When a group of 20 tourists come in, it may disrupt the normal operation of the pharmacy; but on the other hand, it will be nice that it will also be a museum - and this is something I have yet to see in the world," says Slovak Chamber of Pharmacists head, Ondrej Sukeľ.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Celebration of board games
Last year's edition of HRAtislava. (source: TASR)
Board games are a wonderful way to spend an evening with friends and family. If you've never played a modern board game or just want to try one of the hottest new ones, be sure to stop by Ihrysko in the Vivo shopping mall this weekend. The popular store will host a two-day celebration of board games.
Called HRAtislava, a clever pun using the Slovak word 'hra' meaning game and Bratislava, the event will show you what the fuss is about. For more information, click here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Due to a damaged trail leading from the Hrebienok resort to the Rainerova Chata mountain hut, the town of Vysoké Tatry has declared a state of emergency, announced Mayor Jozef Štefaňák. On Sunday, November 5, part of the trail slid down. According to Peter Spitzkopf from Tatra National Park (TANAP), since then an even bigger part of the trail slid down and the slope is unstable. The situation was caused by heavy rain over the last weekend. If there is more rain, part of the trail will fall entirely. Crossing the trail is restricted, an alternative route nearby. (TASR)
After a thorough evaluation process, Bratislava is among the cities selected to compete for the title of European Capital of Democracy 2024/25. Other cities include Gdansk, Izmir, Leipzig and Vienna. Now it will be up to the Citizens’ Jury to take the final decision. "All cities shortlisted for the second European Capital of Democracy competition have demonstrated a strong commitment to democratic principles, offering multifaceted approaches to enhance civic engagement," states the European Capital of Democracy Initiative in a press release.
September retail revenues again failed to reach last year's figure in Slovakia, dropping for the 8th month in a row. Revenues decreased by 5.4 percent year-on-year.
The public administration deficit stood at €2.216 billion or 2.02 percent of GDP in 2022, which means that it went down by 3.16 percentage points year-on-year. (TASR)
The Polish town of Czarny Dunajec, located near the Slovak-Polish border, has become another twin town of Ružomberok, northern Slovakia. Currently, the other Ružomberok twin towns include Hlučín, Děčín, Kroměříž in the Czech Republic, Gospić in Croatia, Bački Petrovac in Serbia, and Wisla in Poland. (TASR)
On Wednesday, a memorial plaque paying tribute to the four people killed in the car accident at the Zochova bus stop in early October 2022. The left side reads: "We were together in a single dream, our lives ending prematurely. What remains is hope, not mourning. We lived with you." The right side reads: "To the students whose path was crossed by death. Your fire burns. We do not want to forget." (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY
Partly cloudy, occasionally overcast or fog. Daily temperatures between 5 °C to 14 °C. Stronger wind. Level 1 wind warning applies for both the Low and High Tatras. (SHMÚ)
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