2026-09-14 • Monday • Featured: Slovakia
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Slovakia Highlights

Rare spectacle in the sky: On Monday, the Moon will completely obscure the planet Venus for more than an hour

On Monday, a rare astronomical event will occur—the Moon will completely cover the planet Venus for more than an hour. It will be best observed at observatories, which will offer ideal conditions for admiring this impressive celestial spectacle.

Zapletalová second at the season’s peak: “It was an amazing year, even without perfect races”

Emma Zapletalová capped her breakthrough season with an excellent second place at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, completing the 400-meter hurdles in 52.68 seconds. After finishing second in the Diamond League final, she thus confirmed her world-class quality and can be proud of an exceptionally successful year.

The Košice Region is attracting young doctors with a program to keep them in the region. It already has its first recruits.

The Košice Region is encouraging young doctors to stay and work in the region through a program supporting their return and retention. The first young female doctors are already returning to eastern Slovakia, which will improve access to healthcare for local residents.

The Ukrainian parliament honored Košice native Eduard Buraš for his contribution to the development of Slovak-Ukrainian relations.

The Ukrainian parliament honored Košice native Eduard Buraš for his long-standing contribution to the development of Slovak-Ukrainian relations and his support for humanitarian projects. He received the award in Uzhhorod during a working meeting of representatives of both parliaments, underscoring the importance of cooperation and solidarity between Slovakia and Ukraine.

You don’t have to pay for everything yourself when seeing a doctor without a contract.

VšZP policyholders do not have to cover all the costs themselves when visiting a non-contracted doctor. Thanks to the MAXI Health Wallet, they can receive a contribution of up to €450 per year, giving them greater freedom to choose a specialist and access to earlier appointment dates.

Budvar shows that tradition doesn’t mean standing still.

Budweiser Budvar proves that tradition can go hand in hand with success and openness to the world. The beer retains its character and place of production in České Budějovice, while its popularity is confirmed by the high proportion of production destined for export.

The debt of Bratislava’s Devín will be uncollectible in April 2027; the borough will complete its consolidation.

Bratislava’s Devín district will definitively end more than two decades of financial restrictions following compulsory administration in April 2027. By law, creditors’ claims will become unenforceable, allowing the district to bring this difficult period to a close and continue its more stable development.

Slovakia can expect a pleasant autumn day with light precipitation, mainly toward evening.

Slovakia can expect a pleasant autumn day under the influence of the edge of an extensive area of high pressure. Precipitation will generally be light and will occur mainly in the evening, so calm weather can be enjoyed for most of the day.

Nanometres on chips are continuing to shrink. However, they are no longer the most important metric.

Chip manufacturers show that technological progress no longer depends solely on shrinking transistors and reducing nanometer sizes. Future performance will increasingly be determined by how they are interconnected and how efficiently heat is dissipated, creating room for further innovations and more powerful electronics.

The prison telephone system is now operational. After two days, inmates can top up their credit again.

The prison telephone system is working again after a brief weekend outage. Inmates can now top up their credit after two days and stay in touch with their loved ones.

What AI skills do people need? Experts share what they have learned and what mistakes they have made (survey)

Experts agree that AI is significantly transforming the workplace and brings the greatest benefits to those who use it daily, not just in pilot projects or presentations. Experiences from dozens of companies show that developing practical AI skills helps increase efficiency, fosters innovation, and prepares both people and organizations for the future.

Overview for September 15: Offices or schools may remain closed, hospitals operating on a weekend schedule

Although September 15 is no longer a public holiday, many offices and schools will remain closed, and hospitals will operate on a weekend schedule. For the public, this means clear organizational arrangements and a quieter day, while essential healthcare remains available.

Looking for good tilers? More and more people in Slovakia are finding them here!

More and more people in Slovakia are discovering reliable tilers with good reviews. Experienced craftsmen help prevent mistakes in tile installation, moisture, and mold, ensuring a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing result.

Fico announces an agreement within the coalition. He must now decide on Taraba, and SNS is already waiting for his move.

The coalition council reached agreement without dissent on a joint approach by the government parties ahead of the September session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. The leaders also addressed key issues in preparing the state budget, creating room for coordinating priorities and ensuring the stable functioning of the government.

Global Good News

She ‘Asked for a Sign’ and Suddenly a Kingfisher Darts Up and Sits in Her Hand for 10 Minutes

In England, Laura O’Brien was amazed when a Eurasian kingfisher appeared moments after she asked for a sign and landed on her hand for ten minutes. The extraordinary, peaceful encounter gave her a memorable and uplifting connection with nature.

Hotel Staff Give Girl’s Lost Plushie the VIP Treatment Before Sending Her Home with a Note (LOOK)

A Sicilian hotel went above and beyond to reunite young Julia with Rosie, her beloved childhood stuffed animal, after the plushie was left behind during a family stay. The Four Seasons in Taormina gave Rosie special VIP treatment and sent her home with a thoughtful note, turning a stressful loss into a heartwarming memory.

Homeless Guy Got Famous Playing Amazing Piano in a Church–Now He’s Raised $50K for Charity

After a video of homeless musician Rhys Wynne-Jones playing piano in a church went viral, his life transformed. Once homeless for a decade, he has since gained recognition and raised $50,000 for charity, turning a difficult chapter into an inspiring opportunity to help others.

In pictures: 10 years of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a new immersive experience in London this autumn. The exhibition will bring a decade of hilarious and heartwarming wildlife images to life, offering visitors an uplifting way to appreciate the natural world.

‘My life-changing career break happened because I was wearing a secondhand coat’

Actor Richard E. Grant says a secondhand coat bought in a charity shop helped lead to his life-changing career breakthrough. Now, he is supporting a campaign encouraging people to explore charity shops, highlighting how affordable pre-loved purchases can bring unexpected opportunities and positive change.

Kenyan Startup Makes Robotic Hands That Translate Teacher’s Voice into Signs for Deaf Students

A Kenyan entrepreneur has developed a robotic hand that translates teachers’ spoken words into sign language, helping deaf and hearing-impaired students participate more fully in classrooms. The innovation could expand educational access for thousands of children, especially as Kenya works to address limited enrollment and the lack of a standardized signed language.

Elephants Can Think Before They Act and Resist Impulsive Behavior, Shows Study

New research from Thailand’s National Elephant Institute shows that Asian elephants can pause before acting, resist impulses, and choose rational solutions to problems. The findings add to growing evidence of elephants’ sophisticated intelligence and highlight their impressive capacity for thoughtful decision-making.

Good News in History September 13

Actor-comedian Jean Smart celebrates her 75th birthday, honoring a remarkable career filled with beloved performances in *Designing Women*, *Frasier*, and *Hacks*. A seven-time Emmy and three-time Golden Globe winner, Smart continues to inspire audiences with her talent and enduring success.

Following Timor-Leste’s Triumph, All of Southeast Asia Has Eliminated Trachoma

The WHO has certified Timor-Leste as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a major public health triumph. With this achievement, all of Southeast Asia is now trachoma-free, protecting more than 2 billion people from the leading infectious cause of blindness.

Former Industrial Ground Goes from Dump to Diversity and Hosts 64% of UK’s Black-Necked Grebes

A UK conservation charity has transformed a former dumping ground for canal-dredging material into a thriving nesting habitat. The restored site now supports 64% of the country’s black-necked grebes, showcasing how damaged industrial land can become a vital refuge for wildlife.

With Adapted Sailing, the Sea Is for Everyone

Adapted sailing is helping make the ocean accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. For César Maquieira, a lifelong lover of Spain’s Atlantic coast, it offers a meaningful way to continue enjoying the sea and sharing its freedom with others.

What went right this week: disease diagnoses ‘in seconds’, plus more

This week brought encouraging progress, including a “superhuman” tool that can detect heart disease in seconds and France’s efforts to slow fast fashion. A species also returned from the brink, highlighting how innovation, policy, and conservation can create meaningful positive change.