Archive of articles - March 2011, page 3
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SMK boss silent on citizenship bid
THE CHAIRMAN of the non-parliamentary Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) József Berényi, who announced in early January 2011 that he had applied for Hungarian citizenship under new rules passed in Budapest that provoked a controversy in bilateral relations between the two countries, is now refusing to confirm whether or not he has been granted Hungarian citizenship, the SITA newswire reported.
More gas storage capacities planned
ONE could say that the January 2009 gas-supply crisis, when Russian natural gas flowing from Ukraine into Slovakia was completely halted, changed the natural gas industry in Slovakia forever. The crisis highlighted questions about the security of the gas supply and in the process brought forward efforts to diversify sources, prompted a search for new supply corridors and confirmed the strategic importance of underground storage facilities.
Using waste as a source of energy
MOST developed countries have recognised that many kinds of waste can be used as an alternative fuel for production of heat and electrical energy. Apart from the positive impact on the environment from the reduced need to dispose of waste in landfills, using waste materials as a fuel brings greater diversification in energy sources and reduces dependence on imports of other fuels. But this realisation has not yet come to Slovakia, where disposal of waste in landfills prevails over other kinds of waste treatment and energy recovery. This may start to change in the near future as there are commercial projects planned by several companies as well as some efforts to develop a regional waste management action plan.
Renewable Energy Sources (RES) – (Un)Systematic Changes in Legislation and Their Impacts on Achieving the Targets Set by the European Union
In its Directive 2009/28/EC of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from RES, the European Union established a common framework for the promotion of energy from RES. The Directive should help to achieve the objectives of the Council of March 2007, defined as a 20% reduction in emissions, a 20% share of RES on total consumption of electricity and a 10% share of biofuels in transport within the EU by 2020. At the same time, the Directive lays down mandatory national targets for the overall share of energy from RES in gross final consumption of energy and for the share of energy from RES used for transport.
Sterilised Roma case goes to ECHR
THE EUROPEAN Court for Human Rights (ECHR) launched hearings in the case of a Roma woman from Slovakia who claims she was sterilised against her will due to her ethnic origin, the SITA newswire reported.
Marking Bratislava's first gas lamp
PRIME Minister Iveta Radičová lit a replica of a historical gas lamp in the courtyard of the Slovak Cabinet Office on March 19 to mark the 155th anniversary of the gas industry in Slovakia. The first gas lamps appeared in Bratislava in 1856, the TASR newswire wrote. Radičová noted that a significant pipeline now crosses Slovakia, carrying gas from east to west.
Plášťovce citizens reject hydro plant
CITIZENS of a Slovak village close to the border with Hungary have rejected the idea of constructing a hydroelectric power station and reservoir close to their village. In a March 17 referendum, 811 citizens voted from among 1,300 eligible voters and 464 voted against the plan.
German investor targets Poltár
A NEW investor has emerged for the Slovglass glassworks in Poltár in Banská Bystrica Region. The troubled plant is currently undergoing restructuring.
Austria to sue over nuclear plants
THE AUSTRIAN government has renewed its opposition to the construction of nuclear power plants in Slovakia and the Czech Republic after the problems experienced at Japanese nuclear plants following the March 11 earthquake there.
EC calls for labour market reform
SLOVAKIA should implement structural reforms in order to reduce unemployment, the European commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, László Andor, said after a ministerial conference to examine the impacts of the global economic crisis on employment and the recovery of the labour market. The gathering took place in Bratislava on March 22.
Officials' negligence might lead to jail time
JUDGES could soon be allowed to put public officials in prison for wasting public funds because of negligence, and use information acquired via wiretapping in one case as evidence in another case, if the Justice Ministry’s proposed changes to the Penal Code advance through parliament in the form presented recently by Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská. Her proposed amendment to the Penal Code is what she calls the next step toward making Slovakia’s judiciary more effective – but some observers are saying the amendment may not emerge from parliament in its proposed form.
Companies in the energy sector in Slovakia
ČEZ Slovensko,www.cez.sk
Equal opportunities for all
A WORLD draped in the cloak of darkness. On dark roads without a sparkle, he has been guided by his loyal partner, the white stick, and at the end a committed friend – a guide dog for the blind.
P-word is hot again
PRIVATISATION is a word which touches a raw nerve with the country’s largest opposition party, Smer. But the party’s chairman, Robert Fico, should prepare himself to hear the word much more frequently as the government of Prime Minister Iveta Radičová has made a firm decision to completely privatise six heating companies currently owned by the state. There are more projects in the works. Another government analysis states that Slovakia could raise almost €1 billion by selling its 49-percent stake in Slovak Telekom to the company's majority shareholder, Deutsche Telekom. Moreover, the state is also exploring the possibility of selling its remaining shares in several bus companies.
€1.1 million for tagging bears
SLOVAKIA’s nature protection agency hired a private company from Bardejov to perform tasks that had already been finished by state forestry companies even before the tender was opened. Critics called the process absurd, while the agency said applicable law bound them to the procedure, the Sme daily reported.
The “A” Train rolls into Bratislava
ONE OF the most eagerly awaited events on the 2011 cultural agenda of Bratislava is only days away. For a few hours on April 3, Bratislava will become the capital of jazz virtuosity, or so it would seem, with the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra visiting Slovakia for the first time.
Jobless rate hits post-crisis high
WINTER is traditionally unkind to those seeking jobs but Slovakia cannot blame its 13.16 percent unemployment rate in February, the highest post-crisis level, only on cold weather. While Slovakia’s economy has been slowly getting back on its feet, recovery in the labour market has not kept pace. Employers remain cautious in hiring, waiting for a more stable level of orders and labour market analysts say a drop in the jobless rate might only begin in the second half of 2011.
Editor's note
DISCRIMINATION can take various forms and can cause unimaginable harm to minorities living among a dominant majority – a majority that does not encounter obstacles in getting an education, finding a job or simply boarding a bus or expressing an opinion.
Risky travel in Hochwald
IN THE Middle Ages the Great Hungarian state was created. As there were several rivals interested in the territory of today’s Slovakia, the Hungarian state decided to fortify its borders through a system of border guard posts. In the north, the state was protected against invasions from Poland by the Spiš border county.
When integrity weighs in
‘COURT procrastination’, ‘disciplinary proceedings’ and ‘Harabin’ are probably three terms that instantly spring to the mind of the average reader of this publication in connection with the Slovak judiciary. ‘Integrity’ probably does not, other than in reference to the lack of it.
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
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- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- 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 ›
