Archive of articles - August 2008
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Quote of the week
"A populist is always better than a thief."
Fico unveils his tender doctrine
IN AN ACT of unwavering support for Labour Minister Viera Tomanová, who has been under pressure from the media for what her critics call suspicions of cronyism, Prime Minister Robert Fico recently announced his doctrine for awarding public tenders. It is not unacceptable to award public funds to supporters or sympathisers of the ruling coalition parties if their proposals conform to the law and the rules, Fico said. He clarified that he will not define such an act as cronyism unless public funds are approved for friends or family, or rules are violated in some other way.
Bratislava re-enacts its royal history
THE SLOVAK capital will once again recall its history as the most important coronation city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On September 6, the coronation of King Ferdinand II (performed by Slovak actor Maroš Kramár) will take place once again. The monarch was originally crowned at St Martin’s Cathedral on July 1, 1618, the SITA newswire wrote.
Hundreds wait through the night for an iPhone
HUNDREDS of Slovak customers queued to buy a new iPhone 3G mobile phone within hours of its launch on the local market.Orange and T-Mobile began selling the device, manufactured by Apple, soon after midnight on August 22. In Bratislava, hundreds waited in the centre of town for shop doors to open.
Man dies after alleged attack by policeman
A MAN who was allegedly burned to death in his car by a policeman died on August 22 in the Bratislava Teaching Hospital, its spokesperson Rút Geržová confirmed to the ČTK newswire.
Bear spray available in Slovakia
BEAR spray developed by researchers in the United States is being sold in Slovakia for the first time, zoologist Robin Rigg from the Slovak Wildlife Society informed The Slovak Spectator.
Regulator refuses gas price rise request
SLOVENSKÝ Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP), the Slovak gas utility, has had its latest request to raise natural gas prices refused. On August 26, the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO) turned down the utility’s proposal to raise prices for households by 15.9 percent from the start of October, the SITA newswire wrote.
Central bank holds interest rates again
THE NATIONAL Bank of Slovakia (NBS) has once again left key interest rates unchanged. In comments after the NBS bank board’s 26 August decision, NBS Governor Ivan Šramko cited the latest inflation figures and economic data which he said were in line with NBS expectations. He said that there was therefore no reason to change interest rates, the SITA newswire wrote.
Investors creating a mixed grille
SLOVAKIA, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are currently undergoing large investments in their meat production sectors, a process which is set to continue for some time. Among the Visegrad Four countries only Poland is unlikely to see considerable changes in the industry: the reason being that large-scale consolidation has already taken place there.
Flashy magazines won't create contacts
HUNDREDS of flashy magazines and impassioned lectures can’t accomplish what direct contact can when it comes to breaking down stereotypes and myths about other countries.
SE announces Mochovce tender
SLOVAKIA’S dominant power producer, Slovenské Elektrárne (SE), has launched a tender to build the third and fourth blocks of the Mochovce nuclear power plant. The tender was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the SITA newswire wrote.
A lovely way to welcome a new citizen
MANY people complain about frustrating, demeaning and draining experiences with clerks and public servants in Slovakia. As an American who’s lived here for 18 years, I certainly have. But this May, I experienced nothing but efficiency and kindness while visiting seven offices and speaking to nine clerks to get my Slovak ID card and passport. So for the sake of balance and fairness, I’m writing this in praise of those who helped.
Dual display of crown and euro prices is now the rule
SLOVAKIA’s ambitions to switch to the euro should now be clear to everyone in the country, even those unfamiliar with the Maastricht criteria, the eurozone or the mechanisms governing the euro’s adoption. That’s because since August 24 all prices of products and services must by law be displayed in both currencies: the Slovak crown and the euro.
Nitric acid leak
SERVICE was interrupted for about two hours at the main railway station in Banská Bystrica on August 22 due to a leak of nitric acid.The dangerous chemical was seen trickling from the valve of a cargo wagon, but it was quickly repaired. The situation resulted in no injuries and the station is in full operation again, Ladislav Sikula of the Regional Firemen in Banská Bystrica told ČTK.
Men’s kayak quartet adds silver to Slovak medal collection
THE SLOVAK flat water kayaking team finished second in the men’s 1,000-metre kayak four on August 22, to claim silver. It was the last medal that Slovak athletes won at the XXIX Olympic Games, which closed in Beijing on August 24.
Cultural relations step up
AS IN all countries behind the Iron Curtain, Romanians and Slovaks actively learned about each other’s culture and history. But the relationship between the countries dates back much further than that.
Uhrovské Podhradie to become Digital
A TINY village near Bánovce nad Bebravou is looking to add a message of modernity to its name.
Bulgaria welcomes more Slovak tourists
HIS DIPLOMATIC career has brought him repeatedly to the Czech and Slovak lands. He was a representative of Bulgaria to the former Czechoslovakia from 1988 to 1992, witnessing the fall of the communist regime here. After the country split, he returned to the region as ambassador to the Czech Republic between 1996 and 1999. And since 2006, Ognian Garkov has been ambassador to Slovakia. Fortunately, he likes it here.
Pezinok dump gets go-ahead
DESPITE a sustained and vocal protest by locals against a proposed new waste dump near the centre of the western-Slovak town of Pezinok, its construction now seems more likely than not. The town of Pezinok is part of Bratislava Region and is the centre of a famous wine-growing area.
Bratislava drivers can pay fines with credit cards
STARTING August 21, drivers in Bratislava can pay their traffic fines with plastic rather than paper. Zuzana Zajacová, the head of the Bratislava city police, hopes that allowing drivers to pay fines using credit and debit cards will not only be effective, but help reduce police corruption, the ČTK newswire wrote.
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Show me your moves! Slovak hockey stars share their best pick-up lines
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
