Archive of articles - January 2003, page 11

Around Slovakia

The first 2003 baby born one second past midnightIce Bears swim in DanubeCommunist missing in November found dead

Hot air for sale in pioneer deal

THE SLOVAK government has approved a trade of greenhouse gas emissions in what is being called the first such deal under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and an indicator of what could become a huge market when EU-wide emissions trading begins in 2005.The trade, which took place in mid-December, saw credits for the equivalent of 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions go to the Sumitomo Corporation of Japan from the Slovak heating producer Menert. While the official price for the package was not released, experts estimate the deal is worth around 5 euro per ton, or 1 million euro altogether."If you were looking through a window to the true future of the greenhouse gas emissions markets, this trade is it," said Andrew Ertel, head of Evolution Markets, the New York-based energy and environmental broker that arranged the deal.

Support grows for NATO referendum

NOW that an invitation to join NATO is in Slovakia's hands, an increasing number of public figures are calling for a referendum on Slovakia's entry into the organisation.These efforts escalated on January 7 when the citizens' group the Civic Initiative for a Referendum on Slovakia's Entry into NATO was officially launched with the support of several well-known personalities.According to the constitution, the government is not obliged to put NATO membership to a public vote. However, the president must call a referendum on any topic if 350,000 people or more sign a petition requesting it.

Countrywide Events

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

Review: Familiar musical works go mystical

"THE TAROGATO is an ancient [woodwind] instrument used in the Balkans, praised for its mysterious sound and wide range of expression. Because of its original structure and unique properties, great effort and technique is required to play it," says jazz musician Jozef Brisuda."These attributes classify the tarogato as a truly rare instrument."The tarogato, which musicians agree is hard to play because it is so difficult to keep in tune, acquired the form that is known today in 1889. Since the production of tarogatos has all but ceased, players usually buy older ones and have them reconstructed. Outside the Balkans there are a few Slovaks and even some Americans who play the instrument.

Budget deficit hits 2002 target

Július Satinský , (1941 - 2002)

Charges filed against Harabin

VSŽ share sale case reopened

MPs demand STV be investigated

Unions protest labour code revision

Crown knocked back again

Jobless rate up to 18.6 per cent in December

Court abortion decision this month

Further privatisation of state stakes

Central bank verbally intervenes

Railway cuts approved

Investment package approved for Citroen

EU referendum date set