Archive of articles - January 2009, page 3
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Fico still the most trusted politician
PRIME Minister Robert Fico remains the most trusted politician in Slovakia, according to the results of a survey carried out by Institute for the Research of Public Opinion (ÚVVM) in early January 2009.“The respondents were asked to name, without any pattern, a maximum of three personalities in the Slovak political scene who possess their trust at the moment,” the SITA newswire quoted Pavol Marchevský from ÚVVM. Fico was mentioned by 38 percent of those surveyed.
Customers shed their crowns
THE SLOVAK crown has officially disappeared from circulation. Since January 16, the last day on which Slovaks were able to pay for goods and services with crowns, holders of the now-antique currency have had to take old coins and banknotes to banks in order to exchange them for euros.During the first weeks of January banks turned into bureaux de change, exchanging kilograms of Slovak crowns for new currency. Even though they reported no technical or other problems they occasionally had to face odd requests, such as changing a wash basin or a bucket full of coins, or handling wet banknotes.
Plans to heal the sore spot of Bratislava go on display
A PUBLIC exhibition of urban and architectural designs has opened in Bratislava’s Primate’s Palace on January 8 to present future planning ideas for Staromestská Street, which runs from the Danube River to Hodžovo Square. The displays are intended to involve the public in the search for a solution to long-running problems with the street, the SITA newswire wrote.
US ambassador with Slovak roots departs
SLOVAKIA’S inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program, enabling Slovak tourists and business visitors to travel to the United States without a visa, and the official visit of Slovak president Ivan Gašparovič to the US are the two things outgoing US Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik considers the biggest successes of his thirteen months in post.
Trying to tame the price of drugs
THE HEALTH Ministry believes the current proportion of total health spending being devoted to drug purchases is too high. To reduce it, the scheme used to set prices for medicines covered by public health insurance has been changed. This should mean that the prices paid for these drugs in Slovakia do not exceed the average of the prices for each drug in the six cheapest EU national markets. Another approach being adopted is to reduce spending on pharmaceuticals is to increase the use of generics.
Bratislava overshadowed as tourist destination
BRATISLAVA has been ranked a lowly 149th among world capital cities in terms of visitor numbers in an international comparison. The study, by market data firm Euromonitor, was based on 2007 figures and placed the Czech capital Prague in 19th, and other neighbouring capitals like Warsaw and Budapest in relatively high positions.
An ivory tower that should be torn down
CALLED BY musicologist Vladimír Godár “Slovakia’s only musical immigrant”, Evgeny Irshai, who in 1978 graduated from the famous N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory and thirteen years later moved to Slovakia, is among the most interesting personalities of the local classical music scene.
Dolls in folk costumes unique to Hrušov
MORE than 5,000 textile dolls in folk costumes of various sizes have been produced and sold since 2002 by their only Slovak producer, the Osoh – or Benefit - association from the community of Hrušov, in the district of Veľký Krtíš.
Countrywide events
Western SLOVAKIA Bratislava CONCERT:THE AUSTRIAN Cultural Forum in Bratislava has prepared an attractive classical music concert to kick off a series of events organised within the Haydn Year 2009 programme. Dominika Stráňavská, a young award-winning Slovak singer, and Štefan Doniga, a noted pianist from Romania, will perform compositions by Vivaldi, Bach, Hummel and three arias by Mozart (Chi sa, chi sa, qual sia, Vado, ma dove? and Alma grande e nobil core). The concert will be held at the Austrian Embassy’s Mozart Hall at Ventúrska 10, on January 28 starting at 18:00. Admission is free. More information about this as well as other upcoming events can be found at www.rakusko.eu.
Democracy deterioratesDemocracy deteriorates
THE STATE and quality of democracy in Slovakia deteriorated in the last quarter of 2008. That is the conclusion from the Barometer poll conducted by the non-governmental think tank, the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO). Moreover, it said, this period was marked by growing party cronyism and alarming tendencies to limit individual and human rights.
Qoute of the Week
“If he had slightly darker skin I would mind. But if he was completely dark, I would not mind.”
Minister Raši pursues debt resolution plan
RICHARD Raši took over as health minister on June 3, 2008 after his predecessor, Ivan Valentovič, resigned for personal reasons. He arrived at the ministry from his previous job as director of the Bratislava Teaching Hospital and Polyclinic, a post in which he got to experience some of the hottest problems in health care at first hand.
Another effort to limit referrals
MÁRIA Sabolová opposes the use of referrals in the Slovak health care system.The MP for the opposition Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH) is again submitting a revision to the health care law that will designate those specialists who will be able to treat patients without referrals from general practitioners, the SITA newswire wrote on January 19.
Foreign Minister leaves for the UN
THE SLOVAK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ján Kubiš, attended his last government session on January 21.He is leaving for Geneva to become the executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the SITA newswire wrote.
New books in English
Colloquial Slovak: The Complete Course for Beginners. Author: James Naughton; hardcover: 288 pages + 2 CDs. Publisher: Routledge, 2003.
ECB lowers benchmark interest rates
THE EUROPEAN Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates by 50 basis points to 2 percent on January 19 and analysts expect another 50 basis point cut in March, according to the latest Reuters poll of analysts. The majority of analysts expect rates to bottom out at 1 percent later this year, Reuters newswire reported.
New rules proposed for universities
PUBLIC universities in Slovakia will be able to form joint-stock or private limited liability companies and join ventures with commercial companies and still get state subsidies, if these business activities pertain exclusively to research and development, according to a proposed amendment to the University Act adopted by the government on January 21, the TASR newswire reported.The amendment will also permit foreign universities to open branches in Slovakia. These branches will be entitled to the same subsidies as Slovak universities, as long as they gain accreditation in compliance with Slovak law, TASR reported.
Pharmacies may face changes
PHARMACIES in Slovakia may face some changes. New measures are being discussed to modify the current situation, in which many pharmacies refuse to serve as emergency pharmacies and do not provide 24-hour services, the SITA newswire wrote.
Slovaks react to Obama
THERE is worldwide optimism that Barack Obama's presidency will improve US relations with the rest of the world, a BBC World Service poll suggests. Slovak political officials expect, too, that relations between the US and the European Union as a whole will improve, and that that will include Slovakia as well.
Gas flows again, as the cost is counted
IT LASTED for 13 days, brought some of Slovakia’s business giants to a shuddering halt, and exposed government officials to awkward questions about the country’s energy dependence on Russia: but the gas crisis appears to be over, at least for now. It began after Russia cut the gas which it supplies to Slovakia and other European countries through Ukrainian pipelines as part of a price dispute with Ukraine.
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- 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
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Paris leads, Bratislava trails: European cities ranked on safe travel for children
- Kidnapping and virginity: brace yourself for a Slovak wedding
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- 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
- 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
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- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- 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 ›
