Archive of articles - December 2010, page 11
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Asia is calling
Although the credit crunch has taken its toll on economies worldwide, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released some positive numbers for 2010, predicting global economic growth of 3.1 percent. Much of this recovery, however, is expected to be the result of Asia’s economic expansion. Slovakia has been making efforts to add more fuel to its relations with several Asian countries, especially Japan and Taiwan, while also trying to attract more Asian foreign direct investment. This leads to the questions of: why, how, where and with whom.
Slovakia's highways saga continues
Connecting the west of the country with the east by a multi-lane highway has become something of a mantra in Slovakia. In each election campaign politicians have promised to complete the national arterial highway, and businesspeople and investors consistently point to the incomplete highway link when asked about obstacles to investment and the development of their businesses in the east of the country.
Slovak Post wins at world expo
SLOVAK POST was chosen as the top exhibitor at the Portugal 2010 – World Philatelic Exhibition in Lisbon in the category of postal operators-issuers of postage stamps.
Households saved during the crisis
SLOVAK households saved more during the crisis year of 2009 than before the recession began, according to a study conducted by the Finance Ministry's Financial Policy Institute.
Bašta
“THE MAN who robbed the right of its bastion.” “Expert says right has not lost its Bratislava bastion.” “He, who conquered the right’s bastion.” Judging by the headlines, one would think Slovakia has just gone through a weekend of medieval warfare, not municipal elections. Luckily, the event was not that dramatic. And the debate about who lost which bastion (bašta), is not so straightforward.
RTS to debut in 2011
2011 promises to become one of the most revolutionary years for Slovakia's public-service broadcasters. Slovak Television (STV) and Slovak Radio (SRo) will merge into a local media colossus called Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTS) after parliament approved legislation creating the merger that was prepared by Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer to resolve what he called a catastrophic financial situation within STV.
Vote-buying suspicions surface again
IN MUNICIPAL elections a few votes can often decide who will sit in the mayor’s seat for the next four years and there have been recent elections where a municipal candidate won by a single vote. In areas where vote-buying allegations have appeared in the past, candidates, election officials and police were vigilant for any irregularities on November 27.
Radičová and Fico most trusted
PRIME Minister Iveta Radičová and her predecessor Robert Fico are thought of as the most serious and trustworthy politicians by Slovaks, according to an opinion poll conducted by the MVK polling agency between November 15 and 22.
WikiLeaks to release Bratislava cables
CABLES from US diplomatic sources published on the WikiLeaks server from November 28, more of which are expected to be released in the coming months, have revealed classified information sent by American diplomats. No information related to Slovakia has been published so far but is expected to be in the future.
Slovakia is prepared to handle a potential gas-supply crisis
THE RECENT chilly weather in Slovakia has recalled January 2009, when natural gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine were halted completely for about two weeks as a result of a pricing row between Moscow and Kiev. And although the threat of a repeat has receded following news that Russian energy giant Gazprom and its Ukrainian counterpart Naftogaz have agreed to settle a gas dispute dating back to 2008-09, as reported by Reuters on November 29, companies involved in the transport and distribution of natural gas in Slovakia report they are prepared for a crisis.
Prosecutor vote ends in acrimony
ANOTHER attempt by MPs to select Slovakia’s next general prosecutor, and fill one of the most powerful positions in the country, failed on December 2, leading to renewed tensions within the ruling coalition.
Trnava’s wine cellars attract hundreds
THE EIGHTH year of the Day of Wine Cellars was held in downtown Trnava in early November, continuing a tradition that goes back to the 13th century, as about 40 winemakers offered their best vintages in 31 different wine cellars.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIABratislava CONCERT: THE MOMENTUM Musicum series of concerts brings original compositions by Astor Piazzolla performed by the band Porque Tango, which consists of virtuosos playing a combination of instruments to evoke the atmosphere of a real Argentinean party, full of emotions and perceptions, on December 10 at 18:00 in Bratislava’s CC Centre at Jiráskova 3 for €3-€5. For more information, visit www.kzp.sk or www.porquetango.sk.
No big comeback for non-parliamentarians
TWO PARTIES that were left in shock after losing all their seats in parliament following a poor showing in the June general election are now having to face up to a second disappointment.
Slovak phoenix spreads its wings
Slovakia has endured two of the most turbulent years in its contemporary economic history. Or has it? Descriptions full of superlatives, especially negative ones, have flooded the mainstream media in recent years and continue to do so. But assessments of the severity of the recent downturn, and of the economy's current condition, require a pinch of salt. Despite their traditional propensity for pessimism, Slovaks should recognise that the lucky timing of euro adoption, just ahead of the recession, has actually offered some unique opportunities, especially when it comes to attracting foreign investors amid a continuing period of heightened uncertainty.
Corporate volunteering recognised
REPRESENTATIVES of Západoslovenská Energetika (ZSE), Orion Nova and Dell emerged as winners of the Employee Volunteering Awards Slovakia at the third Corporate Philanthropy Forum held on November 11. They were recognised for projects to involve their employees in volunteering. ZSE and Orion Nova also advanced to the European round of the European Employee Volunteering Awards taking place as part of European Volunteering Year 2011, the Pontis Foundation, the event organiser, informed The Slovak Spectator.
Quote of the week
“I am 100-percent sure that it wasn’t MPs from SDKÚ.I am 99-percent sure.”
Volunteer centres in Slovakia
- C.A.R.D.O. – operates as the National Volunteer Centre,
Centre-right candidate fails in the capital
FOR THE first time in the history of independent Slovakia, Bratislava will be governed by a mayor who was not nominated by centre-right parties, after left-wing candidate Milan Ftáčnik, who ran as an independent with the support of Smer, won the mayoral race in the Slovak capital.
Shocked by the sights of Šomoška
THERE are few thrills as disorienting as crossing the borders of nations. But this border has no fence, no checkpoint, no border police. The magic of the European Union in the heart of the continent: a small stream and a rusty sign are the only markers of an international line. This is the start of my surprising hike to Šomoška Castle, nestled snug on the Slovak-Hungarian border.
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- 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
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- 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
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- 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 ›
