Archive of articles - March 2008, page 17
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WEF: Tourism in Slovakia lacks support
On March 5, the Sme daily reports on the results of a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on tourism competitiveness. Slovakia was placed 38th in the rankings, ahead of more than 90 other countries. However, Hungary, which last year ranked behind Slovakia, outperformed its neighbour this year; and the Czech Republic increased its existing lead over Slovakia.
Three candidates vie for Kubiš's job
On March 5, the Pravda daily revealed who it believes might replace Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Kubiš if he becomes the special UN envoy in Afghanistan. The paper reports that it has learnt from a source close to the government, a diplomat, that Kubiš might be replaced by (in order of descending likelihood) Maroš Šefčovič, Pavol Hamžík, or Jaroslav Chlebo. Šefčovič is the favorite since he is highly-regarded by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who rates particularly highly his peformance as Slovakia’s top representative in Brussels. SITA
Several accused of soccer bribery
Also on March 5, the economic daily Hospodárske Noviny has a front-page report on another bribery scandal in Slovak soccer.
Child mortality higher in Slovakia than in the Czech Republic
In its March 5 issue, Pravda also reports on the child mortality rate in Slovakia. Eight out of every 1,000 children die in Slovakia before their fifth birthday. This is twice the number in the Czech Republic. Statistics from the two countries were almost identical eighteen years ago, when fourteen out of 1,000 children died in Slovakia, compared to thirteen in the Czech Republic. Although the mortality rate of children has decreased nationwide, it has increased in the regions in Slovakia which have a high proporton of ethnic minorities. The worst situation is in the Prešov and Košice Regions, where children adversely affected by their domestic environment are up to four times more likely to die before the age of five compared to children from other parts of Slovakia. SITA
Stats Office: Record economic growth still healthy
The Statistics Office on March 4 stated that it views the development of Slovakia's economy in 2007 as positive, and hasn't observed any signs of the national economy becoming overheated, the TASR newswire wrote.
Salaries up by 7.2 percent
Average salaries in the final quarter of 2007 reached Sk22,925 (€708), up 8 percent year-on-year, while real salaries rose by 4.5 percent, the Statistics Office reported on March 4.
Average unemployment rate in 2007 down to 11 percent
Unemployment in Slovakia continued to fall in the final quarter of 2007, the Statistics Office reported on March 4.
Slovak crown hits second record against euro
The Slovak crown reached a new all-time high on March 4, when it was traded at 32.26 SKK/EUR, thus breaking through the previous record of 32.29 SKK/EUR from earlier in the day. The crown began trading at Sk32.37/40 per euro, but soon firmed to and beyond the record level for the first time in the day. The firming is being attributed to the result of Standard & Poor's improving Slovakia's rating on March 3, with the country expected to join the Eurozone successfully as of 2009, Tatrabanka dealer Boris Somorovský told SLOVAKIA.
Kubiš delivers wide-ranging speech at UN Human Rights Council
Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Kubiš delivered a speech at United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 3 emphasizing co-operation between the UN and the Council of Europe as well as issues such as banning torture and the protection of minorities' languages.
Dzurinda: Don’t air SKDÚ’s dirty laundry
The leadership of the SDKÚ-DS party agreed unanimously on March 3 that they would stop airing the party’s dirty laundry, SDKÚ chairman Mikuláš Dzurinda said.
Retailers rank Bratislava fourth most attractive city
Bratislava is the fourth most attractive city in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) that retailers plan to expand into over the next five years, according to the annual International Retailer's Survey 2007, which was initiated by Real Estate Publishers (REP) in cooperation with the International Council for Sale Centres (ICSC).
INEKO: Government keeping only popular promises
The Government is meeting pledges that are popular rather than beneficial for the country, the INEKO institute for economic and social reforms said on March 3.
New series of rock concerts
THE CULTURE centre in
Bus on the Danube
THE BRATISLAVA Region is planning to expand the use of the Danube later this year to include Dunajbus, a "river bus" that will serve as a form of public transportation, the Pravda daily wrote.
Bratislava Castle to get overhaul
ONE OF Slovakia's best known symbols is about to get a makeover after 50 years.
Ministry scraps tender under media pressure
A BILLION-crown tender for four years' worth of food vouchers for Slovakia's police corps and fire departments will have to be repeated after it was scrapped by the Interior Ministry on February 27.
Events lure visitors to ski resorts
FEBRUARY is over, but it seems winter still lies ahead. After "tropical" days, which probably caused some snowless ski resorts to close, meteorologists forecast snowfall. Cold and wet air will flow into Slovakia from the west to northwest. The mountain temperature at 1,500 metres will gradually decrease to minus 3-10 degrees. People should be prepared for heavy snowfall, especially in the middle of the week. This should compensate for a significant loss of the snow layer from previous days. The cooling is also important because the Easter holiday is near. Most resorts would not survive another wave of warm weather without a cold wave first.
Number of recycled carsincreases by a half
THE NUMBER of recycled cars grew by a half last year compared with 2006.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Fewer cars stolen, but more goods robbed
THE BRATISLAVA Region has seen a drop in stolen car cases lately, but is experiencing an increase in thefts from cars, the Sme daily wrote.
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Weekend: Summer kick-offs around every corner Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town Piešťany as a top European holiday spot
- News digest: Ex-judge Harabin cleared of charges over pro-Russian war comments
- Music in the veins
- Man appeals for help finding strangers who saved his life
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Weekend: Summer kick-offs around every corner Photo
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- News digest: Renaissance lady vanishes, ministry brushes off ‘stupid questions’
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Man appeals for help finding strangers who saved his life
- Fico turns to X to shape his global image
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- Man appeals for help finding strangers who saved his life
- News digest: Ex-judge Harabin cleared of charges over pro-Russian war comments
- Slovak universities, SAV, local governments top 2025 trust rankings
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town Piešťany as a top European holiday spot
- “We, the European Ministers of Culture, are calling to open our eyes to the richness of our own cinema”
- Weekend: Summer kick-offs around every corner Photo
- With more tax irregularities detected, Slovakia still collects less
- Slovak brewers win hearts in Porto with beer inspired by a childhood favourite
- News digest: Renaissance lady vanishes, ministry brushes off ‘stupid questions’ More articles ›
