Archive of articles - October 2004, page 2

New passports for young folk

Eurotel deal gets complicated

Damage control unnecessary

CollateralStarring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Peter BergDirected by: Michael Mann, Running time: 120 minRating: 8 out 10"ROLL with it," Vincent (Tom Cruise) and Max (Jamie Foxx), the two main characters of Michael Mann's Collateral, repeatedly say to one another. And for years Cruise has done just that. One of the most successful actors in Hollywood history, he is also probably the one who is most routinely miscast.

Quote of the Week

Truthheim to invest in new theatre

SARIO wants legal advisor

The Moravian Venus

THE LONGEST and the oldest period in the history of mankind is the second period of the Stone Age, known as the Paleolithic Age. It started one and a half to two million years ago, and lasted till the end of the last ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago.During this immense period of time, mankind gradually adapted to new climate conditions and developed into the modern human beings we are today, populating all the continents, with the exception of Antarctica. But the number of people on the earth was still very small, that being one reason why there was little interference in nature.

Getting into swing with a violin

THE STANO Palúch Project opened the last night of this year's Bratislava Jazz Days festival with a performance that had the audience screaming for more. Spectators were mesmerised by the violin of the gifted, innovative yet still relatively unknown Palúch.The young violinist is a rising star on the Slovak music scene. His uncanny ability to master any musical style, even those not traditionally associated with the violin, makes him especially interesting.

Law on highway company approved

Slovakia's man in Brussels

THIRTY-EIGHT-year-old Maroš Šefčovič makes a good impression in Brussels - energetic, competent, intelligent. But you would hardly expect anything less of the holder of such a key position. As a new member of the EU, Slovakia's permanent representative to the EU has an essential role in defending Slovak interests. Šefčovič is that man."It has taken some time to understand the terminology and procedures used in Brussels," admits Šefčovič, Slovakia's new ambassador to the EU. "Even if you read all the information from the Council, the issues are difficult to understand. This has been the case for all new member states."

Slovakia shares top spot in press freedom

Slovak wines more refined, European

ALTHOUGH central Europe doesn't get the amount of sun that some regions of France, Italy or Spain do, Slovak wines are fast climbing the quality ladder. And there is a long tradition of winemaking here, stretching back 3,000 years to the time of the Celts.However, Professor Fedor Malík of the Department of Chemical and Food Technology at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, told The Slovak Spectator that this country has only recently started making modern European wines.

Reader feedback: No fortress in Europe, please

Slovakia raises its voice in EU

Women find their voice

THE EUROPEAN Women's Lobby is the largest non-governmental women's organisation in the EU. It serves as a link between political decision-makers in the EU and more than 4,000 women's associations in 15 member states.When Slovakia acceded to the EU, Slovak women mobilised and formed their own umbrella organisation for women's rights groups: The Women's Lobby of Slovakia (ŽLS). The ŽLS is working with the European Women's Lobby towards a common goal: achieving gender equality in Europe.

Crisis brews in beer industry

BREWERIES in Slovakia are saying that high excise taxes are creating an industry crisis. The Finance Ministry disagrees, arguing that low income taxes offset excise taxes, and the real reason for lacklustre beer sales lies elsewhere.Since August 2003, small breweries have been paying an excise tax of Sk37 per hectolitre and per plato of beer produced, while large breweries have been paying Sk50 per hectolitre and per plato.

Sophisticated censorship calls for new kinds of resistance

Reader feedback: Everyone can do something

President's veto power still strong