Archive of articles - November 2004, page 8

Survey reveals political apathy

Deputy PM announces EU PR campaign

Janus-faced jobless figures?

THE ORGANISATION for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published figures on Slovakia's unemployment rate that are more pessimistic than those released by the country's national labour office.The OECD claims that the number of people without jobs in Slovakia has swelled since last year and that the rate now exceeds 18 percent. Based on OECD calculations, only Poland has a higher unemployment rate among members of the OECD, which some call a "club of the wealthy".

Tycoon Majský and others charged

Slovakia seen positively in UK

THE BRITISH media's reporting of Slovakia before EU membership in May was pretty negative. Most of the attention centred on Roma travelling to the UK and applying for asylum. Fears of a massive influx of Roma into Britain failed to materialise.This led to a shift in attitude from the media in Britain towards Slovakia. For example, the BBC "Breakfast" programme recently made a series of 10-minute films about Eastern Europe, describing the new members of the EU.

Banská Bystrica's automotive allure

It's Christmas time!

THE INTERNATIONAL Women's Club of Bratislava will hold their annual Christmas bazaar at the Old Market in Bratislava November 21. In this 14th year of the festive event, women from over 40 countries will be offering delicacies and souvenirs from all over the world.The popular bazaar has become the signal to the international community in Bratislava that Christmas is just around the corner.

Slovak's dark night

IN SLOVAKIA, the morning is cleverer than the evening - ráno múdrejšie večera. This is especially important to remember during these grey days after the daylight savings time change, when all we can expect from the sky are a moment or two of sun, early nights, and a lot of rain. When the wet darkness sinks down about my ears I repeat this Slovak phrase to myself to keep myself from acting out in despair.This is not to say that life in Slovakia is without romance at this time of year. My life is brimming with romance; it is just that some of it is of the bittersweet variety.

Home is where the hurt is

Jersey GirlStarring: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Raquel Castro, George CarlinDirected by: Kevin SmithRunning time: 102 minRating: 4.5 out of 10WARRANTED or not, New Jersey has a bad reputation. To many New York enthusiasts, it's merely the wasteland across the river - a conglomeration of strip malls, highways, beer-guzzling frat boys, and the big-haired, third generation mafia daughters who love them. To Kevin Smith, it's home and the main source of inspiration.

EVENTS COUNTRYWIDE

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIAPrepared by Jana Liptáková

Slovnaft surrenders to audit

Iraqis to be trained in mine clearing

Central bank reports 10-month loss

Slovaks among EU's least happy nations

SF chair says SDKÚ and HZDS in cahoots

PM pleased for US President Bush

Firms want payroll taxes lowered

Reader feedback: The past is another country

Talks take a turn in the right direction

ONE of the last big hurdles to the privatisation "deal of the year", which involves the Slovak government, the country's dominant power producer Slovenské elektrárne, and an Italian investor, has been cleared."The negotiations are on the right path," spokesman for the Economy Ministry, Maroš Havran, told The Slovak Spectator November 11.