Local Astronomy: Slovakia is gearing up for a rare skywatching combo on Aug. 12: a partial solar eclipse starting just after 7:20 p.m., followed by the Perseid meteor shower peak, with the Moon setting around the same time to keep the night sky dark. Climate & Oceans: Copernicus reports the world’s seas hit their hottest July on record, with record sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic and western Mediterranean, while Europe’s heat is also driving wildfires and drought. Slovakia in the Spotlight: Bratislava-based alpinist Igor Koller has won the Paul Preuss Prize for a lifetime of bold climbs and leadership in Slovak mountaineering. Health (UK, with regional relevance): England says NHS hepatitis C treatment is on track for elimination, with 100,000+ people treated since 2015; officials urge free home testing for people at higher risk, including adults born in several Eastern European countries such as Slovakia. Defense & Industry (Slovakia link): Czech firm CSG plans to ramp up large-caliber ammunition production to 850,000 rounds in 2026 and is setting up a Slovakia joint venture to make electronic fuses for artillery shells. AI & Investment (Slovakia link): Eldridge has taken a stake in Sudolabs, a Slovak AI company building agentic AI systems for enterprises, with operations staying in Slovakia while growth accelerates in the US. Energy & Water Stress (Europe): Drought is squeezing major rivers, including the Danube and Rhine, disrupting shipping and hydropower and pushing countries toward tighter water and energy management.