News digest: Buy books? Minister says you’re wealthy and should pay more for them

Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, September 17 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. On Monday, a dramatic incident unfolded at a Bratislava hospital involving Samuel Machala, 23, the son of Lukáš Machala, a pro-Putin senior official who is believed to wield significant influence at the Culture Ministry, often considered the real decision-maker rather than Minister Martina Šimkovičová.

According to the news website Aktuality.sk , Samuel Machala allegedly assaulted police officers who had been called to the scene. The police are currently assessing the situation.



This incident is not Machala’s first run-in with the law. In late May, he was arrested in Bratislava-Dúbravka for stealing a pensioner’s purse. After being swiftly apprehended, he returned the stolen items, valued at €325.

Machala now faces theft charges. Due to his mother’s position as a district prosecutor, the case is being overseen by the higher regional prosecution office in Bratislava. Lukáš Machala remarked, “I fully respect the actions of healthcare professionals and law enforcement.

” He added that the situation is more complex than it appears and highlighted his son’s long-term health issues. Lukáš Machala ’s father, Drahoslav Machala, was an agent for the State Security, the secret police of communist Czechoslovakia, where he reported on foreign journalists. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia.

Thank you. FEATURE STORY Myra Grignon, a third-generation Slovak-American, has fallen in love with the traditional Slovak dish bryndzové halušky . “I had it four times when we were in Slovakia last January and February,” she enthuses.

Grignon, passionate about her Slovak heritage, not only cooks traditional recipes but has also compiled a family cookbook to preserve these culinary links to her roots. EVENT Dobrý trh (Good Market) returns to Panenská Street in Bratislava this Saturday, offering a vibrant mix of high-quality food, unique designs, books, accessories, and clothing. The event also features an exciting cultural programme with art installations, concerts, and workshops.

Bratislava police are searching for 72-year-old William Funk , who has permanent residency in Germany. He was last seen on September 16 around 16:00 on Hrebendova Street in Bratislava, where he was with his wife. He then left and has not been heard from since.

On the morning of Wednesday, September 18, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Slovakia before sunrise. The Earth’s shadow will cover 8.5 percent of the Moon’s surface at its peak, with the eclipse starting at 4:13 and the Moon exiting the shadow at 5:16.

The eclipse should be visible to the naked eye, depending on the weather. ( SAV ) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has officially announced that Maroš Šefčovič will be her candidate for Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, which will also include customs policy. The Slovak will also be responsible for interinstitutional relations and transparency.

However, not all Slovak MEPs are expected to support Šefčovič. Prime Minister Robert Fico has described the post as a ‘success’ for Slovakia. The Fund for Supporting the Culture of National Minorities (FPKNM/Kult Minor) will now have €8.

8 million available , following an amendment to the FPKNM Act approved by MPs on Tuesday. This half-million-euro increase is linked to the official recognition of the Vietnamese minority . The funeral allowance will rise from €79.

67 to €200 from January 2025. The state and the Confederation of Trade Unions (KOZ) have agreed in the fourth round of collective bargaining to increase salaries in the public and state sectors by 5 percent from January 2026 . In 2025, each employee in the state and public sectors will receive a bonus of €800, which will be paid by June 2025 at the latest.

Slovakia will send an economic diplomat to Thailand. The economic diplomat is to assist Slovak entrepreneurs in the region, support investment projects, and contribute to promoting Slovakia’s tourism potential. Mutual trade exchange has grown in recent years, reaching €466 million last year.

(TASR) WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Expect partly cloudy skies with occasional periods of increased cloud cover. There may be isolated showers or thunderstorms in some areas. Temperatures will range from 19°C to 25°C during the day, with light to moderate easterly winds.

( SHMÚ ) SEPTEMBER 18 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Eugénia. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.

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