Archive of articles - September 2007, page 15

Information could become less free: NGOs

WHILE the wording of the amendment to the Freedom of Information Act has not yet been published, the Justice Ministry's efforts to change the act have already provoked big worries for non-governmental organisations.They are expressing urgent fears that the changes will limit access to public information.The Slovak Justice Ministry says the upcoming amendment will enable the blind and visually impaired to have equal access to public information. The current law does not solve this problem, the ministry says.

An end to joint stock hospitals?

TRANSFORMING a public hospital into a joint stock company might soon be at odds with the country's laws.The Slovak Health Ministry is proposing a law that would completely halt the transformation of Slovakia's hospitals into joint stock companies, a move started by the previous government to cut Slovak health institutions' debt.The Health Ministry is concerned that the state would lose its influence over hospitals that become joint stock companies.

Key interest rates hold steady

SMK split unlikely

THOUGH the leadership of the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) denies any upheaval in their ranks, political observers have raised the possibility that disgruntled SMK supporters could start a new ethnic Hungarian party in Slovakia.Hungarian intellectuals living in Slovakia say they can hardly identify with the direction the SMK has taken since Pál Csáky replaced Béla Bugár in the top post, Péter Hunčík, one of the co-founders of the Public Against Violence party, wrote in Új Szó, a Hungarian daily published in Slovakia.

Journalist's home torched

AN INVESTIGATIVE journalist in eastern Slovakia is wondering which of her stories led someone to set her house on fire.Naďa Šindlerová of the Slovak weekly Plus Sedem Dní was home on August 28 when the lower part of the facade of her house was soaked with gasoline and set on fire.She doubts the fire was set for personal reasons, because she has no personal disputes, she told The Slovak Spectator.

Dangerous driving targeted

DRIVERS who ignore the speed limit or drive while intoxicated on Slovakia's roads will pay heftier fines next year.Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 kilometres per hour might cost the hurrying drivers as much as Sk20,000 (€593) once the revision to the road traffic act goes through the parliament.

Around Slovakia

Village looks to promote rail-less railwayWWII artillery shell discovered and defusedInternational students gather at U.S. SteelBryndza factory celebrates 210th anniversaryTwo restored bunkers recall uprising historyFrench army truck wins restoration title

Slovak artist in Finland

SLOVAK visual artist Igor Cvacho recently exhibited his graphic art and paintings at the Catherine Bajar Gallery in the centre of Helsinki, the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry informed The Slovak Spectator.

EVENTS COUNTRYWIDE

Western SLOVAKIACentral SLOVAKIAEastern SLOVAKIA

Prevention not always the cheapest measure

SPEECH check-ups for children and colonoscopies for senior citizens might be soon covered by public health insurance, once the Health Ministry adds these preventative examinations to the list of procedures that the state pays for.Critics say prevention is important but they doubt the economic viability and the actual medical benefits of the new preventative check-ups the ministry has chosen.

Health Ministry advocates nation-wide medical database and e-card system

SLOVAKS might soon have their complete medical history and records stored on a single electronic card.The Slovak Health Ministry has already drafted the legislation to support the creation of an electronic medical record system that would store all the information about patients' health conditions and the procedures they undergo. Independent observers, however, fear that the ministry has not yet found a way to protect this sensitive personal data.

Budget looks set for smooth passage

A DRAFT that usually promises nightmares and conflicts between the ruling partners has been on the cabinet table since mid-August, and observers expect the coalition trio - Smer, the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia and the Slovak National Party - to reach an agreement on state coffer plans without major disputes.

Foreigners to study cultural heritage

A GROUP of foreigners will study the protection and development of cultural heritage during the upcoming academic year in Svätý Jur, the TASR newswire wrote."They will arrive from the United States, Serbia, Croatia and Lithuania," Helena Bakaljarová from the Academia Istropolitana Nova (AIN) educational institution told TASR.

Health care conforming to European standards

Two more Saving Nests have opened to give women a safe, anonymous place to leave their unwanted newborn babies.The 12th nest opened on July 12 at the Hospital and Health Clinic in Dolný Kubín. The 13th opened in Spišská Nová Ves at the beginning of August, the TASR newswire wrote.

Treasures of eastern Slovakia in France

MORE THAN a hundred years after the World's Fair in Paris, the Museum of Eastern Slovakia (VSM) in Košice has brought one of its exhibits to France. Treasures of Eastern Slovakia, an exhibit of Gothic and Baroque art, is being shown in the castle in the town of Caen in Normandy."This is the VSM's biggest exhibit in its 135-year history," Zuzana Bobríková from the local Košice government, which runs the museum, told the TASR newswire.

Chemical Brothers coming to capital

BRITISH duo The Chemical Brothers will perform in Bratislava on November 26, the TASR newswire wrote.The band, which is made up of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, will give a concert at the National Tennis Centre and play from their latest album, We Are the Night, which was released on July 2.Along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, and the Crystal Method, The Chemical Brothers are known as pioneers of big beat electronic dance music.Tickets for the concert went on sale on August 16.

Jahnátek predicts energy prices won't rise

Slovakia wants seat on Human Rights Council

Slovakia commemorates uprising anniversary

SLOVAKIA has marked the 63rd anniversary of one of the most significant chapters of its history - the Slovak National Uprising (SNP).More than 500 people attended the main commemorations in Banská Bystrica on SNP Day, August 29, with a wreath-laying cermony at the SNP Museum. President Ivan Gašparovič and Prime Minister Robert Fico were also there, the SITA newswire wrote. Top politicians highlighted in their speeches the importance of the uprising in Slovak history. Speaker of Parliament Pavol Paška said people should remember the common people who took weapons in their hands and joined the uprising, and not utter pathetic phrases to mark the anniversary."They did not make this sacrifice with pathos, but naturally because they felt that this was a question of values," said Paška.