Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In this rerun, we get back to the 33rd anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution

As the Slovak Queer Festival is held in Bratislava Nov 23-29, we talk to queer author Michal Tallo about the power of words, their use by politicians, fear and hope. Speaking about barriers in this country is Berlin based Slovak artist Zorka Lednarova who was left on a wheelchair.

New project Stand by me aims on integrating youth from Ukraine among their Slovak peers. Marian Hossa celebrated in Chicago as the Blackhawks retire his jersey.

Ben Pascoe and Michaela Pobudova from Mareena discuss the situation in Slovakia with Ukrainian refugees as well as the situation on the borders. They also discuss the work that Mareena does to help foreigners adapt to Slovakia.

There is a report on the internet and some media portals about a large asteroid called 2022 AP7. It is also referred to as a "planet killer", which is approaching the Earth. The Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences decided to inform the public about the latest scientific data and to set the record straight on the biggest disinformation. Ján Svoreň from the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences explains in an interview four false claims about this astreorid.You will also learn why hoaxes are dangerous and how they affect everyday life in society.

How cycling transportation developed during the first term of mayor Matúš Vallo.

Special walk on the Struggle for freedom and democracy Day starting in Czech capital Prague and ending on Zamocka street in Bratislava, the spot of the first ever terrorist attack with fatalities in Slovak history

This month, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova received the Freedom Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Frankfurt. Head of the foundation's board Karl-Heinz Paque called Caputova's tenure as president an example for liberals across Europe. Later on the show we will speak to Mrs. Elena Letňanová, musician and university lecturer, who had to flee totalitarian Czechoslovakia after she was put on the blacklist of people who spoke against the regime.

Last week Ben Pascoe decided to take the microphone and notepad and go to Kuty and see the so-called migration crisis first hand. The village of Kuty is 4km east of the Morava river which is the border between Slovakia and Czech republic. It is the last train stop before entering Czech republic and has about 4000 residents. Currently, a refugee camp with people fleeing Syria is set up there. Ben enconters and presents a compelling story from the place.

World leaders meet in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference. Negotiations run until 18 November. The aim is to try to accelerate global climate action. In an interview, climatologist Pavel Matejovic looks at what the summit has achieved since 1995.