Archive of articles - May 2010, page 12
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Interior Minister Kaliňák says banks have rejected improved security
Banks have refused to introduce more stringent security measures, said Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák on May 10, in referring to a bank robbery in Malacky, near Bratislava, in which a security guard was killed, the TASR newswire wrote. “We offered to install some monitoring devices for free, but unfortunately it doesn't seem as if banks are interested in improving their own security,” said Kaliňák.
Slovak tourism in 2009 affected by economic crisis and euro adoption
The economic crisis last year considerably influenced tourism in Slovakia, including its most popular destination, the High Tatras, the SITA newswire reported. According to the headof the Tourism Association, Peter Chudý, data of the Statistics Office confirm this as the number of visitors to Slovakia fell by over twenty percent in 2009 from the previous year. The decline in the High Tatras was seventeen percent. The number of Polish tourists in the Tatras shrank the most.
USA offers online form to simplify visa applications
The American Embassy in Slovakia told the TASR newswire on May 10 that a new US visa application form (DS-160) is now available online for applications from Slovaks. It can be used by people who are unable to use the Electronic System of Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which is only available to citizens of approved counties holding a biometric passport and travelling for tourism or business. The new form, which will simplify the visa-application procedure, is only available online and will be mandatory beginning May 17, 2010. According to information provided by the embassy, the procedure for applying for a visa should now be easier – the applicant will complete one form instead of three, and the application will be sent automatically, via the web, to the US Embassy. The system also allows applicants to upload a photograph.
SNS finds job for the man on its controversial billboards
The Slovak National Party (SNS) has agreed to the demands of Lukáč Bart – the dark-skinned man whose photograph was displayed on some SNS election billboards – by finding him a job, the TASR newswire was told by SNS press secretary Dušan Strauss on May 10. Bart told Plus Jeden Deň daily that he either wanted more money for the photos used on the billboards, described by many people as racist, or for SNS to find him a job.
Efficiency and Cost Optimisation - Business Finance
In this article we cover Business Finance, following-up on the previous articles on Procurement and Optimisation published in the April and March issues of The Slovak Spectator.
The week in Slovakia
Content of programme: Slovakia joins Greek bailout; Racist billboards target Roma; Protester takes aim at nationalists; Cartoonist a pain in neck for prime minister
Experts differ on whether volcanic ash cloud has come to Slovakia
For the second time in a short period, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted during the weekend of May 8-9, sending clouds of ash throughout Europe. Eugen Lexmann, a meteorologist with the Slovak Hydro-Meteorological Institute, told the TASR newswire that one ash cloud arrived in Slovakia and covered practically its whole territory.
Prime Minister Fico comments on several judicial issues
The whole of Europe is suffering from court delays and there is no country at the moment that would not have problems with this issue at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Prime Minister Robert Fico told the TASR newswire on May 8. Fico is especially concerned about delays in commercial legal cases that often involve large sums of money. Fico’s Smer party is suggesting that arbitration procedures be used as an alternative.
Slovak ice hockey team loses to Russia 1:3 at the World Championship
The expected winner, the Russian team, won in ice hockey on the Day of Victory in the WWII, May 9, against the rejuvenated Slovak team by a score of 3:1 but the Russian coach Ilya Kovalchuk said this happened only after a tough fight, Sme daily reported.
Slovakia’s Lajčák takes part in EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Session
Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák is taking part in a regular session of the EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, May 10, ministry spokesman Peter Stano told the TASR newswire. The ministers are due to discuss preparations for the EU-Russia summit, the fight against pirates off the Horn of Africa, and details of the ‘Europe 2020’ growth and employment strategy.
Activist parks army vehicle at SNS headquarters
Civil activist and entrepreneur Alojz Hlina transported and parked an armoured personnel carrier in front of the headquarters of the Slovak National Party (SNS) in Bratislava, the TASR newswire reported. Hlina said that through this gesture he is calling on citizens to not vote for SNS in the upcoming parliamentary elections on June 12, 2010. He pointed out that SNS chair Ján Slota on several occasions has alleged that the Hungarian army is mobilising, thereby creating a threat to Slovakia. Slota also said in 1999 that Slovaks should get into their tanks and go to flatten Budapest.
Promises not kept, say ethnic Hungarians - updated
AT THE VERY start of the current government’s term in 2006, when news emerged that Robert Fico’s Smer party would ally itself with the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), known for its leaders’ hard-line statements about the Hungarian and Roma minorities, concerns were expressed about the treatment of minorities in Slovakia during the coming four years. At the end of the government’s term, political analysts, sociologists and representatives from minority and human rights NGOs are saying that their fears were realised.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
1,200 jobs to vanish in Prievidza
THE JAPANESE firm Yazaki Slovakia, a producer of wiring systems for the automotive industry, said it will shut down its production plant in Prievidza and lay off 1,200 employees. The company’s consultant, Adam Tkáč, confirmed this to the SITA newswire on April 30.
Pros and cons of BPO
WHEN a company outsources its business processes it can lose a certain degree of independence but on the other hand gain better flexibility. The Slovak Spectator spoke with Matúš Jurových, senior consultant with the advisory department at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Slovakia, about the risks and benefits of business process outsourcing (BPO).
US lawyers hired on emissions deal
ENVIRONMENT Minister Jozef Medveď has hired legal experts from the US to help Slovakia resolve issues involved in its sale of excess CO2 emissions, the Sme daily reported. The ministry has not revealed further details.
Slovak Film Academy announces awards
THE SLOVAK Film and Television Academy (SFTA) awarded its Slnko v sieti (Sun in a Net) prizes on April 28. Awards were handed out to directors, actors, writers and technicians in eighteen categories. Special awards were also given to the best debut film as well as for long-term contributions to Slovak cinematography.
James Carter again offers a wave of non-stop energy
MAY came to Bratislava with the jolly and melodic tones from James Carter’s saxophone. It took him a couple of years to make his way back to Slovakia, but together with his quintet he made sure the audience could sigh in high appreciation: ‘It was worth the wait’.
Anti-riot mechanism unveiled
A NEW SLOVAK defence mechanism called Božena RIOT, a technical device designed to help control riots, demonstrations, extremist rallies, unrest in residential areas or “wild” football or other sports fans, was presented on May 4 at the International Defence Equipment Fair IDEB 2010 in Bratislava.
Companies search for savings via outsourcing
THE FINANCIAL and economic crisis has highlighted outsourcing, that is delegating services to other firms, as a way for companies to reduce or optimise costs. But in spite of this impetus, the popularity of outsourcing has not risen significantly in Slovakia. This is partly because of the limited scope for savings which the approach offers Slovak firms. However, a move to greater outsourcing is visible in public services to keep pace with development, for example in information technologies.
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- 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
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
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- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Iconic Slovak barn still draws crowds. Without donors, it might have been lost Photo
- 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
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- 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
- 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
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Legendary captain Zdeno Chára inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Video
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- 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 More articles ›
