Archive of articles - January 2008, page 7
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Weather forecasts promise snowfall
IT SEEMS that the last ten days of January will be the first ten days of real winter, as meteorologists forecast the arrival of a cold arctic air. This should change rain into snowfall. Temperatures should head closer to average for this time of year and decrease from above zero levels to -10/-14 C in the mountains. The forecast further promises that the winter weather will stay until mid February.
Slovakia imported electricity last year
PRELIMINARY figures from 2007 show that Slovaks consumed 3.6 TWh (terawatt hours) more electricity than local suppliers were able to generate.
Kidney transplant thwarted by accident
A TEAM of experts at Louis Pasteur Teaching Hospital in Košice had to cancel a kidney transplant because the car transporting the kidney crashed on the way to the hospital.
Dispelling the myths about Slovak spies
THE ASSOCIATION of Former Slovak Intelligence Officers (ABSD), a non-governmental organisation formed in April 2006, is trying to answer some questions. Questions like, are Slovakia’s secret services being misused for the political goals of government parties? Have they been transformed into democratic intelligence services? What are they doing and what are they here for?
Heart disease is the top killer
IN THE 15 years since the split of Czechoslovakia, the most common causes of death for Slovaks have been cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Regional government gets Sk700 million loan
CHAIRMAN of the Bratislava regional government Vladimír Bajan and vice president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Marta Gajecká signed an agreement on January 10 for an investment loan from EIB of Sk700 million (Ř21 million). The money will be used to co-finance projects on infrastructure modernisation in the Bratislava Region, the SITA newswire wrote.
A city of unique charm, and in need of maps
BEFORE he arrived in Bratislava, Shawn Whitman had to think why he was going in the first place. The young American was on a programme run by Dirk Verheyen of Berlin’s Freie Universität, which brings students around Europe each year, with a stop in Bratislava.
Reconstruction restricts visitors to Bratislava Castle
RECONSTRUCTION at Bratislava Castle has already limited the operation of its exhibition premises, but will not result in the castle being closed completely, Jana Chrappová from the Slovak National Museum informed The Slovak Spectator.
Health experts call for anti-obesity plan
OBESITY is not yet a national epidemic in Slovakia, but there have been enough warning signs to prompt the country’s health professionals and authorities to design a national programme for obesity prevention.
Cuban reception no beach party, critics warn Fico
EVEN though he drew fire last year for attending a birthday do for Cuba’s communist revolution, Prime Minister Robert Fico went back to the Cuban ambassador’s anniversary reception this year.
Fewer Russians and Ukrainians visit High Tatras
IT’S GETTING harder to hear Russian and Ukrainian in the High Tatras.
Slovak nativity scene wins silver in Rome
A WOODEN nativity scene carved by Slovak artist Vincent Bandúrik was awarded a silver medal at the 32nd International Exhibition of 100 Nativity Scenes that took place in Rome between November 23 and January 6.
Prosecutor dismisses minister's motion against health insurers
In late December, the General Prosecutor's office shelved a motion of Health Minister Ivan Valentovič against the Association of Health Insurance Companies (ZZP).
Expert group to deal with extremism established
The task of a newly-established group of professionals and experts is to thoroughly and systematically work toward eliminating racially motivated crimes in Slovakia. The group met for the first time at the Slovak Police Corps Headquarters on January 16. An advisory body – the Interdepartmental Expert Body for the Fight against Terrorism - was also established, and will be headed by Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák.
Merging Czech and Slovak power transmission networks unrealistic
A merger of the Slovak and Czech electricity transmission networks, which was under consideration in the past, has been assessed as unrealistic.
EU-harmonised inflation in December rose to 2.5 percent
EU-harmonized inflation in Slovakia reached 2.5 percent year-on-year in December 2007, rising from 2.3 percent in November, the Statistics Office said on January 16. The increase in inflation in December was fuelled mainly by a rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which were up 7.2 percent on the year. Other y-o-y increases were: in hotels, cafes and restaurants, in education, in miscellaneous goods and services, in posts and telecommunications, in transport, in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, in clothing and footwear, in housing, water, electricity, natural gas and other fuels, and in recreation and culture. Prices in furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance fell by 0.3 percent, while those in healthcare were down 0.2 percent.
NBS: Exceeding of inflation goal caused by externalities
The inflation measured by the harmonized index of consumer prices reached in December 2007 slightly higher value in comparison with the Slovak central bank's (NBS) expectations, NBS spokesperson Jana Kováčová said on January 16. The inflation also exceeded the goal set by NBS for the end of 2007. It was due to higher-than-expected growth in the prices of foodstuffs, fuels and industrial goods. "On the other hand, the dynamics of the prices of services was lower than NBS expected," said Kováčová.
Government recommends bill to limit MPs' immunity
The Slovak Government on January 16 recommended that Parliament pass a constitutional amendment that would abolish MPs' immunity from prosecution for misdemeanors, but stopped short of approving the measure, which requires the support of at least 90 lawmakers in the 150-seat Parliament. The bill, if passed, would force MPs to submit to breath tests when suspected of drunk driving, and would allow prosecution for illegal parking or speeding.
Slovakia to withdraw legal action against the EC
On Wednesday, January 16, the Slovak Government agreed to withdraw its legal action against the European Commission (EC). The suit was lodged in protest of the decrease of emission quotas for Slovakia for 2008-2012 by more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The Cabinet decided to bring the lawsuit on January 24, 2007, as Slovakia required the quotas to be 41.3 million tonnes for 2008-2012 instead of the 30.9 million tones the EC allocated. The Slovak Justice Ministry filed a suit on February 7 to the European Court of Justice.
Bríza dismissed from SPF
On January 16, the Sme daily published the members of the supervisory board of the board of directors of the Slovak Land Fund (SPF) who nominated by the SMER-SD and SNS parties of the ruling coalition resigned their posts on January 15. Those members nominated by the HZDS, including Branislav Bríza, will be dismissed by the government on January 16.
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Slovakia passes NGO law, civil society fears a chilling new era
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- News digest: Brussels committee launches scrutiny of EU funds in Slovakia
- ‘Listen, Martina, this is not just your country’: protest song becomes rallying cry for folklorists Video
- They could have left. But these young Slovaks stayed
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- News digest: Brussels committee launches scrutiny of EU funds in Slovakia
- They could have left. But these young Slovaks stayed
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- ‘Listen, Martina, this is not just your country’: protest song becomes rallying cry for folklorists Video
- Zdeno Chára inducted into world hockey hall of fame Video
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Poland edges toward green light on long-delayed Kraków–Košice rail revival
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- Fico’s adviser accused of corruption, then hits back at prosecutor
- Slovak Chamber of Auditors introduces Europe’s first AI platform for auditors
- Slovakia passes NGO law, civil society fears a chilling new era
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- News digest: Brussels committee launches scrutiny of EU funds in Slovakia
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo More articles ›
