Archive of articles - March 2003, page 2

Communists and pensioners protest war

Reader feedback: No proof, no justification

Around Slovakia

Books for debtFlower tram on first day of springStreet magazine expandsKids write cookbook in Slovak and FrenchOldest costume-hire shop may shut downHomeless man attacks friend with axe

MOL increases stake in Slovnaft

Poland closes southern tourist border crossings

Reader feedback: Tell the truth in schools

Workshops for dancers and actors

1,000 soldiers to help protect Slovakia

Minister says no to free university education

UNIVERSITY students in Slovakia may soon have to pay for their studies if a plan by Education Minister Martin Fronc is approved by parliament.In line with the pre-election promises of his party, the right-wing Christian Democrat's (KDH), Fronc recently announced that his ministry has prepared changes to the country's university law that would introduce annual fees of between Sk7,000 (170 euro) and Sk12,000 (290 euro) for all university students as of January 2004.The plan has evoked a mixed reaction, with opponents and supporters of fees divided mainly along political lines.

Iraqi refugees reach Slovakia

AS THE military conflict in the Persian Gulf continued, Iraqi refugees began to trickle through Slovakia's eastern border with Ukraine, causing officials to brace for an influx of asylum seekers.By March 27, dozens of Iraqi refugees fleeing the war had illegally crossed the border from Ukraine, according to media reports, with 24 ending up in Slovak asylum facilities."As of March 25 there were 343 asylum seekers in total in our asylum facilities. These facilities can take in as many as 800 or 900 people. At this point 24 out of the 343 people are from Iraq," said Anna Šidová, head of the state migration office's legal department, adding that her office is taking steps to prepare for the arrival of more refugees.

President awards Dutch businessman

Support for attending EU referendum falls: poll

Welcoming spring

New rules bring down jobless figures

Reader feedback: Not so long

Countrywide Events

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

IT outsourcing overcoming obstacles

ALTHOUGH many Slovak companies have been slow to trust their IT systems to a third party, domestic and international firms offering IT outsourcing say the market will continue to grow despite obstacles.Companies' fear of losing control, bad previous experience with outsourcing, and simple resistance to change were among the factors preventing an increase in IT outsourcing in Slovakia discussed at last month's Infotrends conference in Bratislava.Nevertheless, the outsourcing market in Slovakia has been noticeably expanding in recent years, observers say.

Make education a product worth paying for

IF THE government is going to insist that students pay for their university tuition they must ensure that the students see value for money. Without it, these "customers" will simply go elsewhere, and if Slovakia joins the European Union next year, they can do just that. Already 8,200 study in the Czech Republic and Austria.

The Czechoslovak art of bottle juggling

THEY wear tailored suits and long faces. But once they are in their environment - a bar - they know how to start the ball rolling - or the bottle flying.As soon as they remove their suit jackets and hear the first beats of the music, the show starts: Bottles twist in the air, glasses roll down arms, ice jumps into jars and tossed olives impale themselves on toothpicks held in a mouth. They are the ones who juggle with bottles - they are the flair bartenders.Ten of them, from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, gathered on March 22 at the Martini Flair Competition in Bratislava's Gremium Restaurant to demonstrate their skills in three categories: creativity, speed mixing, and flair.