Slovakia

Only one Slovak company made it onto the list of Europe's 1.000 fastest-growing companies compiled by the Financial Times: Gardeon, a supplier of garages and garden sheds based in Turčiansky Ďur, northern Slovakia, came in 510th place

Corruption is a serious problem for the majority of Slovaks, and many think it will increase or remain the same under the current government, according to a survey conducted by Focus for the Stop Corruption Foundation

Slovakia should leave NATO and the European Union, while the most important power of the president is the ratification of international agreements, said presidential candidate Robert Svec in a much debated declaration

Malnutrition affects almost two-thirds of Slovakian hospitalised patients; despite additional costs of malnutrition entails for healthcare system, interventions remain minimal, according to research by Slovakian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is launching a new project in the field of nursing services, worth €100 million, to help almost 13.000 people over two years

The country will receive more than €69 million from EU for the construction of the 2nd phase of Presov northern bypass; in a competition involving hundreds of projects, the second highest sum was pre-approved for Slovakia, after a German railway project

Culture Minister Simkovicova stated that the country will resume cooperation with Russia and Belarus, suspended in 2022; Simkovicova's spokesperson stated that there are many ongoin conflicts and that artists and culture shouldn't suffer because of them

The International Women's Club of Bratislava, founded in 1991, now brings together 110 women from over 30 countries around the world, along with the established circle of Slovak women

The Slovak National Theatre is temporarily being led by Jozef Svolik, head of the department of art and artistic institutions at the Culture Ministry

Travelling by train from Bratislava to various European cities at Christmas is on average twice as expensive as travelling by plane, claims Greenpeace Slovakia

As of next year, the state will contribute funds to help eligible persons cope with the increase in mortgage instalments; the amount of the new state social benefit will be 75% of the increase in housing loan instalments, up to a maximum of €150 per month

Projects to combat disinformation and strengthen media education will not be financed: Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová decided to use EU funds of €300.000 to repair the roof of the Slovak Philharmonic and support libraries

Pensioners will receive a one-off bonus of €300, instead of the initially promised €150, by the end of the year, thanks to the additional €220 million found in the budget after talks with Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky