Archive of articles - February 2002, page 18

Ombudsman vote protocol agreed

New FinMin takes post

Reader feedback: Police should be ashamed

Reader feedback: Cheers from Australia

Culture Shock: Sports is a different game in Slovakia

The culture of sport, I have discovered, differs around the world. This probably explains why my Slovak friends don't share my enthusiasm for the upcoming Super Bowl. Of course, by the time most of you read this, it will have already occurred. But for me, pre-deadline and pre-Super Bowl, I'm just randy with anticipation.The first Super Bowl I watched in Slovakia was in 1999 when the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers. I stayed up late to catch the midnight kick-off, and stayed with the German telecast ('Das ist super diving catch!') until four in the morning.The following year, when my favourite team (St Louis Rams) made the Super Bowl, I made plans to travel to Prague because I'd heard of a sports bar that would show the game on live satellite feed with American commentators. Because of a lack of funds, I ended up settling for the German telecast in Bratislava again, but the will to travel five hours each way just to watch a football game was certainly there.

Telecom Office to challenge ST

Brigita beer to stay on market

EDF touts Slovak energy

Ad market booming

Slovaks making more complaints

Roma translations coming

Euro bandits add to border concerns

Customs officials are warning that the arrest of two Slovaks attempting to smuggle euros into the country will not be the last such case.On January 22, two Slovaks were detained by Hungarian customs police after trying to bring 1.1 million euros into Slovakia. It was the first case of smuggling of the new European currency outside the Eurozone.Slovak customs police, who were not involved in the incident, say that they are expecting more euro smuggling on their own soil.

Bobovnický new Sario director

Time-out called for Hungarian deal

Mikloš vows changes to new Labour Code

THE DEPUTY Prime Minister for the Economy, Ivan Mikloš, has warned that a new Labour Code due to take effect April 1 could seriously limit the competitiveness of the economy if not amended.Despite approving the legislation last year, Mikloš has said that his party, the centre-right Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), will propose amendments to the Code to ensure that businesses stay competitive."The law contains fundamental shortcomings that would lower the flexibility of the labour market, increase the level of unofficial labour and limit the competitiveness of our economy.

EU aid to start as trickle

THE EUROPEAN Union's executive commission has earmarked 25 billion euros to 10 candidate countries including Slovakia for 2004 to 2006.But the proposed aid package to farmers will begin at only 25 per cent of the amount existing EU members currently receive. The aid would increase over a 10-year period until it reaches the same level that member countries enjoy.Around half of all EU spending goes to its 40 billion euros per year farm budget.

Court to rule on Kováč kidnapping

Quote of the Week

Dzurinda urges united right wing

INFLUENTIAL right wing politicians have proposed a plan to unite before autumn parliamentary elections to offer voters what they describe as an alternative to popular opposition leader Vladimír Mečiar.Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda, head of the ruling Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), spoke of the need for a right wing bloc on private station Rádio Twist on January 21."The clock is ticking and it's about time that all responsible politicians in our country said a clear word. I have. The word is 'right wing bloc', and it's a winning alternative to the HZDS [Mečiar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia party]," Dzurinda said.