Archive of articles - July 2010, page 2
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Environment Ministry restored
THE CABINET approved a proposal to renew the operations of the Environment Ministry as an independent department. It was eliminated as of July 1 based on a proposal of former prime minister Robert Fico approved in January of this year, the SITA newswire reported.
Ex-Gitmo detainees get residency
THREE former prisoners from the US detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, have been given permission to permanently reside in the Slovak Republic. At the same time, they were moved to the integration centre of the Interior Ministry’s Migration Office in Zvolen where they will take part in a six-month integration programme, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovaks like spas
SPA treatment holds an important place within Slovakia’s health-care system. In addition to helping patients recover from illnesses, accidents or surgeries or to lessen suffering from chronic diseases, stays in spas help prevent diseases and rid people of stress. Annually, thousands of Slovaks go to a spa to receive treatments covered either by their health insurance company or from their own pocket. The optimal length of the stay depends on the patient’s condition but in general a stay no shorter than three weeks is recommended by doctors so that the treatment brings visible and longer-lasting results.
Immunity limits pursued
THE NEW government is now preparing for another attempt to limit the immunity of MPs and judges. A proposal which was recently endorsed by the government could appear before the next session of parliament which starts on August 3, though it is not clear yet from statements by opposition MPs whether the proposal will gain their support. This would be essential if changes are to be made.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIABratislava MUSIC: DEŇ BACHOVEJ hudby na Slovensku / The Day of Bach Music is marked in Slovakia on July 28, the day of the great composer’s death, and will be commemorated in several cities and towns by performances of his Allein Gott in der Hoeh’ sei Ehr’/ To God Alone on High Be Glory chorale, chosen as the common theme for this year. So far, the institutions taking part in this event are the Evangelical Churches in Martin, Nitra, Púchov, Turany and Vrbové, and the Roman Catholic St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava and churches in Sečovce, Námestovo, Chynorany, Ludanice and Topoľčany. More may become involved by July 28. The Bach Day has been organised by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession and the occasion is the Year of Christian Culture 2010.
Roma in Podunajské Biskupice
UNTIL the end of the 18th century, the origin of Roma people was a mystery to Europeans. Theories about their past were quite different. Some of them tried hard to track down where these nomads came from, others preferred speculation to serious analysis.
Slovakia heads V4, embraces Hungary
SLOVAKIA’S newly-formed government, led by Iveta Radičová, is expected to pursue a policy of reducing tensions in domestic inter-ethnic relations as well as improving relations with the Hungarian government, observers say. Radičová’s first meeting with her Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orbán, suggested she might be able to live up to these expectations – but the occasion was also used by Slovakia to set out other goals connected with its presidency of the central-European Visegrad Four (V4) grouping.
Ideals are high for first Youth Olympic Games
SLOVAKIA is one of the 30 countries that will send a Young Ambassador to the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore which will take place between August 14 and 26. The Slovak Young Ambassador is skeet-shooting champion Danka Barteková, who holds one world record in her sport and has won numerous medals in world and European championships. She also represented Slovakia in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. These are the first Youth Olympic Games ever held and The Slovak Spectator asked about her role in the Youth Olympics and her view on Olympic values.
Yamaha bikers from across Europe rev up in Prievidza
The massive engines of Yamaha Royal Venture touring motorcycles from all over Europe thundered across the Upper Nitra region as more than 70 bikers presented themselves and their mechanical beasts at a parade through the streets of Prievidza and Bojnice. In the nearby Púšť holiday resort, the 15th European meeting of Yamaha enthusiast clubs took place for the first time in Slovakia between July 9 and July 11, hosted by the Venture Club Slovakia.
AmCham appeals over recent labour law
FOREIGN investors who are members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia (AmCham) want to talk to the new government about leg-islation concerning collective bargaining. The chamber is concerned about the possibility that third parties could interfere in the negotiations, the TASR newswire reported.
Svätopluk statue faces protests
A RECENTLY unveiled statue of “king” Svätopluk, who ruled much of what is now Slovakia in the 9th century, should be removed from the courtyard of Bratislava Castle, the UM! civic association said on July 20, as reported by the TASR newswire. UM! has launched a campaign to bring about the removal.
EU helps Slovakia buy new locomotives
THE EUROPEAN Union approved the application for a non-repayable financial contribution of €88 million to the Slovak passenger railway company, Železničná Spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK), to purchase rolling stock such as railway cars for inter-regional and commuter transportation.
Quote of the week
“There was nothing else left for me but to accept this offer. If I didn't accept it, I would go on suffering all my life. And I don't want to suffer. Let those who deserve it suffer.”
Jobless rate up to 12.34 percent in June
THE REGISTERED jobless rate in Slovakia increased by 0.1 percent in monthly terms to 12.34 percent in June, according to data from the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family, as reported by the SITA newswire.
Slovak cabinet backs eurozone stability plan
AFTER much prodding from the European Union and a lengthy domestic game of blame, the government of Prime Minister Iveta Radičová has given the go ahead to Slovakia’s participation in the European financial safety net, but both Radičová and Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš were making sure that their reservations to the programme were nevertheless clearly heard in Brussels.
Slovaks like to be treated in Slovakia
SLOVAKS do not travel abroad in large numbers to receive medical care. Health insurance, which is compulsory in Slovakia, covers nearly every kind of medical treatment at home and those who plan to get non-emergency medical care abroad that can also be obtained in Slovakia must pay for it out of their own pockets.
Police and spy agencies get new bosses
INTERIOR Minister Daniel Lipšic has appointed Jaroslav Spišiak as the new president of Slovakia’s Police Corps, the SITA newswire reported.
Hovorca
ONE OF the downsides of this post-election period is the decision of many prominent journalists to move on to the role of government spokesperson, or hovorca. Rado Baťo, a former editor in chief of the business weekly Trend and later a columnist at the Sme daily, has gone to work for Prime Minister Iveta Radičová. TV Markíza’s top reporter Gábor Grendel now speaks for Daniel Lipšic’s Interior Ministry. And the list goes on. There are several reasons why this is a problem for the local media.
Dividing the spoils
THE HEADS of directors rolling, as well as those of high-level bureaucrats of various political stripes, is not a surprising occurrence anywhere across the world when there is a power change in government. There are, of course, differences in the number of people sacked and the professional quality of those who come to replace them, but at the end of the day those who come to power in an election or those who succeed in staying in their cushy seats for another term always are surrounded by people with the same political blood type.
Overdose makes his comeback at Bratislava horserace
The Slovak derby called RZB Group held is 18th annual race and witnessed a surprising victory by Innovator, trained by Zuzana Kubovičová and ridden by Czech jockey Martin Srnec, hailing from the OMS stable owned by Vladimír Levársky and Peter Šimeček. The race covered 2,400 metres and was open to 3-year and older mares and stallions with total prize money of €65,000.
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- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
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- 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 ›
