Archive of articles - October 2002, page 7

Bratislava in movement

Kováč case decision appealed

Reader feedback: Flattery, not flak

'Three strikes' system to promote a safer Slovakia

THE JUSTICE Ministry says it will eliminate much of the violent crime in the country by adopting a so-called "three strikes and you're out" measure, under which repeat offenders would get a life sentence without parole.Justice Minister Daniel Lipšic, of the ruling Christian Democrats (KDH), has long called for an uncompromising stance to be taken against repeat offenders. The three strikes system, used in about 30 US states, has now become part of the new cabinet's programme and has the support of all coalition members, claimed Interior Minister Vladimír Palko.

First 3-D cinema to open

One World raises awareness

Volkswagen moves Spanish op to Slovakia

Larry King in Košice next year?

Quote of the Week

Countrywide Events

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIA CENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

New cabinet rolls up sleeves

ONLY HOURS after being sworn in by President Rudolf Schuster the members of Slovakia's new cabinet got down to business, meeting to discuss the 2003 state budget draft and the spending cuts the government is determined to introduce.The topic of the October 16 cabinet meeting was in keeping with the reform promises of the center-right Mikuláš Dzurinda government. Besides reducing state involvement in the economy, the four coalition parties foresee deep changes to Slovakia's pension, social benefits, education, agriculture, justice and health care sectors.The speed with which the new ministers moved reflected the sense of urgency that has gripped the Western-oriented parties since their narrow majority victory in September elections. With both Nato and European Union enlargement summits scheduled for the next two months, government politicians have said they want to have as much work under their belts as possible before entry invitations are written out in Brussels.

Should Schuster see a shrink?

PRESIDENT Rudolf Schuster has enraged Slovak doctors by recommending that a European Commission (EC) official be "very wary about Slovak hospitals".He made the comment in small talk prior to an official audience with Eric van der Linden, head of the EC delegation, in Bratislava in October.A limping Van der Linden told the president that he had had one of his legs treated at a local hospital, prompting Schuster to express his low opinion of his country's health services.

England footballer: "Worst racist abuse"

THE ENGLISH football community has railed against the racism the England team experienced at a recent European championships 2004 qualifier match in Bratislava.Following his team's 2:1 victory, England captain David Beckham told the press he was shocked to hear Slovak fans making monkey sounds every time England's black players, Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole, had the ball."I think it was the worst abuse I've had directed towards me personally," Heskey said.

EdMin says University fees are necessary

Introducing the cabinet

The Long-Distance RunnerMIKULÁŠ DZURINDA (SDKÚ), 47 Prime MinisterExperience:A former vice-chairman of the Christian Democratic Party (KDH), Dzurinda headed the Transportation Ministry in 1994. In 1997 he became the spokesperson, and later leader, of the Democratic Coalition Party (SDK). Following disputes with founding members of the SDK, Dzurinda established the SDKÚ as an independent party in 2000 and has been party boss ever since.

Russian photos exhibited for the first time

RUSSIAN pictorialists were travelling photographers who could not conform to the dogma of academic art. The composition of their photographs was derived from landscape painting and the photos reflected their use of different techniques.A hundred and twenty black and white photographs taken by 16 photographers from the 1890s to the present day make up this exhibit entitled Russian Pictorialism. These photos are currently on display in Bratislava at the Slovak National Gallery as part of the Month of Photography running throughout November in many galleries across the country.This exhibit also serves as the European premiere of the collection.

Politician Rusko sells TV stake

Cabinet reconsiders Roma handling

Wages up almost 10 per cent