We've made it to weekend! Good evening and welcome to the Friday, March 14 edition ofToday in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
What is a pro-Russian correspondent doing talking about Slovakia on Czech CNN?
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Lenka White, a correspondent for the Czech news channel CNN Prima News. Lenka White, a correspondent for the Czech news channel CNN Prima News. (source: X/@Posledniskaut)
Czech news channel CNN Prima News has faced repeated criticism in recent years for spreading pro-Russian narratives. In recent months, it has also featured a correspondent with past ties to Russian media.
Lenka White, who reported for the channel from the United States, is a supporter of Donald Trump and has commented on Slovak affairs, including last year's assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. During a recent segment, she echoed Republican criticism of Volodymyr Zelensky’s appearance in the White House and repeated Trump’s vastly exaggerated figures for the amount of aid that the USA has sent to Ukraine.
White previously stated on her LinkedIn profile that she worked for RIA-Novosti, a state-owned Russian news agency that publishes Kremlin propaganda (including, a very premature victory announcement following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022). In 2023, a Russian diplomat referred to White as a correspondent for Sputnik, another Kremlin-controlled outlet. She is still listed as a Sputnik correspondent on the United Nations Correspondents Association website.
Calling on Musk to help Slovakia
Beyond her pro-Russian rhetoric, White has recently turned her attention to Slovakia. On the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, she commented on the political situation in Slovakia, writing:
"Mr. Musk, can you please help Slovakia?"
She claimed that Slovak NGOs are organising a "coup" and should be held accountable. She also referenced to the attempt on Fico’s life in May 2024.
White shared a video of a Fico speech along with an English translation of a letter he sent to Musk in which he requested information from the billionaire Trump adviser about alleged US funding of NGOs in Slovakia through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Her post reached 32,000 users, garnering hundreds of likes and comments. However, Elon Musk did not respond.
Related:
White previously praised Fico after his speech about halting military and financial aid for Ukraine. Writing on X: "Unlike the rest of Europe, Slovakian PM Fico Calls For End of Support to Ukraine," adding that, according to her, Fico believes Trump will restore global peace.
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FEATURE STORY
A Ukrainian in the Slovak corporate world
Anastasiia Burko Anastasiia Burko (source: Elis Shevchenko)
People usually have only the vaguest idea what people in business and shared service centres do. So did Anastasiia, a young Ukrainian, who started her career at Zurich Insurance in Bratislava. Her journey from Ukraine to Slovakia is a story of growth, resilience and unexpected opportunities. Find out how she navigated a corporate world she had never imagined herself in – and why she sees her future there.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Slovakia or Slovenia? No, Slovakia vs Slovenia
Bratislava is getting ready for the match, to be held at the National Football Stadium (pictured above). Bratislava is getting ready for the match, to be held at the National Football Stadium (pictured above). (source: FB Stadion Tehelné pole )
Their similar names can easily confuse foreigners, but what about their footballing skills? For the first time since 2021, Slovenia will face Slovakia in a football match, set for 20 March in Bratislava. Make sure to grab your tickets ASAP to witness these two near-namesakes go head-to-head!
IN OTHER NEWS
Don't put away your winter coats just yet, say experts, as winter is returning to Slovakia – bringing not only rain, but also the possibility of snow. Winds will shift to the northwest this evening and snow is expected to return over the weekend, starting in Orava and Spiš on Saturday (March 15), and spreading to northern Slovakia by Sunday (March 16). The coldest day will be Monday (March 17), with temperatures between -2°C and +8°C, with more snow expected overnight. (tvnoviny.sk)
Since 2019, the Slovak town of Brezno and the Chinese city of Dengfeng have been collaborating to boost tourism and education. In 2023, the Shaolin Cultural Centre Slovakia was established, with Shaolin monk Shi Yanhe teaching there. On March 18, Chinese Ambassador Cai Ge will visit Brezno for a cultural exchange. Additionally, Brezno’s Mazorníkovo Primary School will offer unique sports classes from September, where students can learn kung fu and its philosophy. A partnership with Shaolin also includes opportunities for further study in kung fu at universities in Slovakia. In April, a Slovak delegation will visit Dengfeng to promote tourism, with a return visit from a Chinese delegation planned for May. (My Bystrica)
On March 14, 1939, the Slovak National Assembly declared the creation of the Slovak State, which collaborated with Nazi Germany. To mark the 86th anniversary, the Post Bellum memorial organisation held a commemoration at Bratislava's Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Square, emphasising the importance of remembering this dark chapter in the country's history. Historian Ivan Kamenec highlighted the regime's genocidal consequences, with around 70,000 victims in Slovakia. A video installation by artist Ján Šicko at the SNP monument visually represented the human cost of the regime. The installation is open until 22:00, to remind the public of the past. (SME)
The State Institute for Drug Control (ŠÚKL) is considering legal action against MP Peter Kotlár, the government’s pandemic investigator, over his unscientific claims aboutCovid-19 vaccines. ŠÚKL is demanding that he present his testing methodology, warning that his statements may endanger public health. Epidemiologist Alexandra Bražinová criticised Kotlár’s claims as baseless and alarmist, emphasising that vaccine safety is ensured by regulatory bodies worldwide like the FDA, EMA and ŠÚKL. She urged Kotlár to follow scientific protocol and publish his findings for peer review. (tvnovimy.sk)
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár plans significant changes to key diplomatic positions, including new ambassadors to the United States, Germany and Turkey. Among the nominees are the brothers of well-known politicians and long-serving ministry officials. The appointments must still be approved by President Peter Pellegrini and the government. The new ambassadors will represent Slovakia at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics and evolving trade relations with the United States and Europe. (aktuality.sk)
Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák did not include a property his wife purchased in Croatia in his asset declaration, citing family privacy concerns. In a video on social media, he stated that his earnings fully cover the property's value and that his family could afford it due to his long business career. He defended his decision, arguing that privacy laws protect family information and accused opposition politicians of intruding into his personal life. Kaliňák also criticised parliamentary committee head Veronika Remišová for allegedly disclosing confidential details from the asset declaration. (Sme)
SMER - SSD:
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: It will be cloudy, with rain in some areas. If you are planning a hike or a walk, be sure to take an umbrella or a raincoat, just in case. Temperatures will range between 6°C and 11°C. In the east, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 flood warning for the districts of Michalovce, Sobrance and Trebišov due to persistent rainfall. (SHMÚ)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: Svetlana, Boleslav, and – last but not least! – Ľubica are this weekend's lucky ones celebrating their name days. Do not forget to congratulate them on Saturday, March 15 - Svetlana; Sunday, March 16 - Boleslav; Monday, March 17 - Ľubica.
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