Slovakia Highlights
“I wanted to capture the story of mothers who feel a sense of emptiness when their children leave,” says artist Emöke Vargová.
At her exhibition *There’s Plenty in the Nest* at Gallery 19 in Bratislava, artist Emöke Vargová captures empty nest syndrome and the moment children leave home with humor and without sentimentality. After years devoted to sewing, she returns to painting and reminds us that maternal love also means learning to let children go with confidence.
Slovaks want to produce mRNA like beer. It can detect cancer and treat high cholesterol.
A Slovak startup wants to make mRNA more simply and cheaply, like beer, so modern treatments can reach more patients. This technology is already helping with targeted gene therapy and could offer new treatment options in the future for cancer, rare genetic diseases, and high cholesterol.
Finding people from Charter 77 is detective work, says Petr Pospíchal. He wants them to meet again.
Charter 77 brought together 1,883 people from diverse backgrounds and became a prominent voice for human rights during the period of normalization. To mark the 50th anniversary of its founding, a gathering of signatories is planned in Prague in January; organizer Petr Pospíchal is now working hard to track them down so they can meet again.
Mayoral candidate Kuráň: We want public transport to be free for all residents of Ružomberok.
Mayoral candidate Kuráň is proposing free public transport for all residents of Ružomberok. With the opening of the bypass, which has partially eased through-traffic in the city, he wants to make use of new opportunities to make travel more convenient.
Bratislava was a sleepy backwater in the 1990s, but beneath the surface, several strongholds of alternative culture were thriving (excerpt from a book).
Although Bratislava seemed sleepy in the 1990s, several vibrant pockets of alternative culture pulsed beneath the surface. The club scene brought new musical and social influences, and its story is told in an excerpt from Peter Dolník’s book *Between Euphoria and Exhaustion*.
Frost will hit overnight, with temperatures dropping to as low as minus four degrees.
The end of the workweek will bring pleasant autumn weather. At night, however, expect frost and temperatures as low as −4°C.
What’s happening to our children? A Stephen King classic and Zendaya’s The Drama offer an answer (what to watch)
The selection offers a varied lineup for evening viewing: a series adaptation of Stephen King’s cult horror novel *Carrie*, a spy thriller sequel, and a romantic comedy with an unexpected twist. Fans of suspense, humor, and romance can choose a story to suit their mood.
Allegory of Good and Bad Government
The article presents Lorenzetti’s *Allegory of Good and Bad Government*, a significant work of 14th-century Italian painting that adorns Siena’s town hall. Its location in one of Italy’s most important Gothic buildings evokes a rich cultural heritage and the timeless importance of responsible governance.
Global Good News
North America’s Largest Wildlife Overpass Is Working: Animal Collisions on I-25 Down 91%
North America’s largest wildlife overpass near Larkspur, Colorado, has reduced animal-vehicle collisions on Interstate 25 by 91% in its first 10 months. The 200-foot-wide crossing gives bears, elk, moose, and other wildlife a safer route across the busy highway, protecting both animals and drivers.
Largest Private Conservation Project in the US Hits Major Milestone as Free-Roaming Bison Pass 1,000
American Prairie, the country’s largest private land conservation project, has seen its free-roaming bison herd surpass 1,000 for the first time in its more than 20-year history. The milestone reflects growing success in restoring bison to the Great Plains and supporting the region’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Teen Triathlete Raises More Than $30,000 to Donate Bikes and Riding Lessons to Low-Income Families
Teen triathlete Jonathan Thai raised more than $30,000 through the Pedal Forward Foundation, helping provide hundreds of bicycles and riding lessons to children from low-income families in Georgia. Inspired to fill the gap after a local community bike workshop closed, he’s helping more kids gain confidence and enjoy cycling.
World’s Heaviest Pumpkin Sets Incredible New Record at 2,856 lbs.
A pumpkin weighing 2,856.8 pounds (1,295.8 kilograms) was certified as the world’s heaviest at a competition in Wargrave, England. The remarkable achievement sets a new record and celebrates the dedication and skill behind growing giant pumpkins.
Drape Some of This ‘Plant Armor’ Fabric Over a Strawberry Patch to Triple Yields with Less Pesticides
A specially designed fabric called Plant Armor more than tripled strawberry yields in field tests without harming plant health. Draped over crops, it could also help farmers use less water and fewer pesticides, supporting more productive and sustainable strawberry growing.
Good News in History, October 16
Fifty-seven years ago, the underdog New York Mets won the World Series in just five games, defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. After years of last-place finishes and 100-loss seasons, their stunning turnaround became one of baseball’s most inspiring triumphs.
Tribe Just a Signature Away from Recovering 1,100 Ancestral Acres Along Undammed Elwha River
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is just a signature away from recovering 1,100 acres of ancestral land along Washington’s Elwha River. Once submerged beneath a dam’s reservoir for more than a century, the ecosystem is now recovering, creating a hopeful opportunity to restore both the land and its connection to the Tribe.
What went right this week: people-powered climate justice, plus more
This week brought a pivotal, people-powered moment for climate justice in Australia, alongside recognition of Nobel Prize winners. A promising drug for Parkinson’s also offered hope for future treatment.