Tomato plants frequently stop growing and develop purple or bluish leaf discoloration after being transplanted into open soil. However, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate disease or permanent damage to the seedlings, according to gardening experts.
A vehicle caught fire on the D1 highway in the Považie region of western Slovakia, causing traffic complications for drivers heading east at the end of the work week. Police have since reported that the roadway is now passable again. The incident temporarily disrupted traffic flow on Slovakia's main east-west highway corridor, which connects Bratislava to the country's eastern regions.
The Banská Bystrica region in central Slovakia, working jointly with Hungary, has provided new technical equipment to volunteer firefighters and rescue services. The public can view the new equipment at the Slovak National Uprising Museum grounds until 3:00 PM on Friday. The cross-border cooperation represents ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency response capabilities in the region through international partnerships.
Railway services between Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city, and Mukachevo in western Ukraine have been suspended starting Monday due to construction work at Čop station. The cancellation affects four Transcarpathia express trains - R 960, R 962, R 963, and R 965 - along the entire route connecting the eastern Slovak city with the Ukrainian border town. The affected trains typically provide cross-border passenger service between Slovakia and Ukraine's Transcarpathian region. Wednesday and Thursday services have already been confirmed as cancelled, with the suspension continuing from Monday as maintenance work proceeds at the border station.
Police in Kežmarok, a town in northern Slovakia, arrested a heavily intoxicated driver on Thursday evening after he was caught driving erratically between lanes. The man was operating a passenger vehicle around 8:00 PM on a road connecting the villages of Ľubica and Vrbov when officers stopped him. A breathalyzer test revealed an extremely high blood alcohol content of 3.5 promille, more than seven times Slovakia's legal driving limit of 0.5 promille. The driver was taken into police custody and now faces criminal charges for driving under the influence.
Slovak police have charged four individuals following a drug enforcement operation conducted on Thursday. The investigation, dubbed Operation Courier, was carried out by officers from the National Anti-Drug Unit, who seized methamphetamine and cash during the operation. The charges represent the latest action in Slovakia's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks operating within the country.
Electric scooters valued at hundreds of euros were stolen from basement premises in Bardejov, a town in eastern Slovakia near the Polish border. Police have launched an investigation into the theft. Bardejov, with a population of around 33,000, is located in the Prešov Region and is known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval town center.
A young woman from Stropkov, a town in eastern Slovakia, faces criminal charges for using a counterfeit banknote to pay for a taxi ride. The case highlights ongoing efforts by Slovak authorities to combat the circulation of fake currency, which carries serious legal penalties under Slovak law. Counterfeiting offenses can result in significant fines and imprisonment, as they undermine financial system integrity and harm businesses that unknowingly accept fraudulent money.
Malta presents an attractive alternative to crowded tourist destinations during its pre-season period, featuring crystal-clear waters at the Blue Lagoon, atmospheric nighttime streets in the historic "Silent City" of Mdina, and distinctive Arabic architecture. The Mediterranean island nation offers visitors a more relaxed experience with favorable prices before the peak summer tourist season begins, combining scenic coastal attractions with well-preserved medieval and Arab-influenced urban landscapes.
The gorges in Slovak Paradise National Park have reopened to visitors following a one-day closure. Park authorities now require hikers to wear waterproof footwear when traversing the gorge trails. The Slovak Paradise, known for its dramatic gorges with ladders and waterfalls, is one of Slovakia's most popular hiking destinations located in the central part of the country.
Pope Leo XIV delivered a homily emphasizing the connection between love, humility, and peace, calling on faithful to pray for those suffering from poverty, loneliness, family problems, and homelessness. The papal message focused on offering prayers and support for society's most vulnerable members during what appears to be a recent religious service or address.
A train struck a man near the Ťahanovský tunnel in eastern Slovakia, leaving him with serious injuries. Emergency services responded to the scene and transported the victim to hospital by ambulance. The incident occurred along the railway line that passes through this mountainous region of Slovakia.
Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven is marketing its clothing line as suitable for transitions from urban environments to nature settings this summer. The company emphasizes that its products offer both style and functionality, allowing users to move seamlessly between city and outdoor activities without needing to change clothing.
Police officers in eastern Slovakia have been responding to complaints about illegal waste dumping and dealing with anti-social behavior incidents. In at least one case, police assistance was refused by the individual involved. Citizens can report such issues to authorities through official channels.
Slovak police conducted traffic inspections on the D2 highway heading toward the Czech Republic, checking more than 360 vehicles during the operation. Traffic police announced they will continue similar controls in the future, aimed at improving road safety and traffic flow while ensuring strict compliance with traffic regulations. The D2 is one of Slovakia's main highways connecting the country to neighboring Czech Republic and Austria.
A Slovak motorcyclist traveling through Romania's mountain regions encountered bears approaching the roadside seeking food from travelers. The unusual wildlife encounters occurred during a motorcycle journey through Romanian mountain passes, where bears have apparently learned to associate roads with potential food sources from passing tourists and vehicles.
Firefighters are responding to another fire at a waste dump facility in Šemetkovce, a village in eastern Slovakia. The blaze has been contained and localized by emergency responders. The incident represents a recurring problem at the site, indicating ongoing fire safety challenges at the waste storage facility.
The director of the East Carpathians Protected Landscape Area Management has left his position after a short period in the role. The State Nature Conservancy cited unfulfilled expectations as the reason for the departure. The East Carpathians Protected Landscape Area is one of Slovakia's nature conservation zones, managed by the State Nature Conservancy, which oversees the country's protected natural areas and implements environmental protection policies.
The Slovak postal service has urged local municipalities to update their address registries to ensure smooth mail delivery and improve access to other postal services. The initiative aims to address problems with incomplete or outdated address information that can disrupt postal operations and service provision across the country.
The eastern Slovak town of Sabinov will host a traditional fair that will bring traffic restrictions to the city center. The event will feature performances by popular Slovak artists including the band Heľenine oči and singer Alan Murin. Local authorities have announced that drivers should expect temporary road closures and diversions in the downtown area during the fair to accommodate vendors, visitors, and entertainment activities.