Archive of articles - May 2011
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Police officer shot by suspected cannibal released from hospital
The police officer shot by alleged cannibal Matej Čurko on May 10 was released from the Louis Pasteur Hospital in Košice on May 30, hospital spokesperson Jaroslava Oravcová told the TASR newswire. The officer, 37, sustained injuries to his chest and arm that required 20 days of hospital treatment during a shoot-out in Kysak in Košice region.
Confidence in Slovak economy increases in May
Based on several positive trends, Slovakia’s Index of Economic Sentiment (IES) increased by 1.2 points in May to 95.4, returning it to its March level, the country’s Statistics Office announced on May 30, as reported by the TASR newswire. Improved figures in three of the IES components – services, industry and consumers – were instrumental in raising the overall confidence level in May. The index was up by 4.9 points year-on-year, but remained 3.5 points below its long-term average.
Acting top prosecutor challenges recorded vote before Constitutional Court
The interim General Prosecutor, Ladislav Tichý, has filed a motion with Slovakia’s Constitutional Court challenging a public, recorded vote for selection of the next general prosecutor, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovak parliament discusses proposals to curb MPs’ immunity
Slovakia’s parliamentary session started on May 31 with a debate on the ruling coalition's proposal to curb immunity of members of parliament and judges in cases of civil transgressions, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovakia signs treaty on the Single European Sky initiative
Representatives of aviation offices from Slovakia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia – countries that belong to the Functional Airspace Block Central Europe (FAB CE) – signed a treaty on May 30 in Bratislava concerning cooperation between national supervisory bodies responsible for air navigation services in this part of Europe, the TASR newswire wrote. By signing the treaty the individual countries will ensure that the new National Supervisory Authorities Coordination Committee will be put into operation and will meet the tasks stemming from the Treaty on Establishing the FAB CE.
No infected vegetables from Spain found in Slovak shops to date
No bacteria-infected vegetables from two Spanish producers, Pepino Bio Frunet and Hort o Fruticola, or the German distribution company, Turan Gastronomie-Service, have been found in Slovakia, according to the inspections carried out by the State Veterinary and Food Administration in shops around the country, Juraj Kadaš from the Agriculture Ministry press department told the TASR newswire on May 30. Slovak food inspectors carried out 33 checks in shops and distribution stores to date, involving more than 420,000 kilos of fruit and vegetables imported from Spain. The inspections follow reports of ten deaths and around 1,000 infected or possibly infected people in Germany who fell ill after eating cucumbers from Spain that were later found to contain EHEC bacteria. Slovak authorities are inspecting not only cucumbers, but also tomatoes, lettuce, peppers and other fruits and vegetables. If cucumbers contaminated with the E. coli bacteria appear in Slovakia, the Public Health Office (ÚVZ) will act, Health Minister Ivan Uhliarik said on Friday.
Poll finds half of young Slovaks are looking for a different job
Only 14 percent of employees in Slovakia are "highly engaged" and loyal to their employers, according to a poll carried out by GfK polling agency, which that classified Slovakia as a country with a low "labour engagement" rate, the TASR newswire reported. According to the study, only 9 percent of employees in the 19-29 age group are "highly engaged". The same rate was observed in Slovak employees in their 30s.
Slovakia takes over Carpathian Convention presidency
Slovakia has taken over the presidency of the Carpathian Convention and will stay at its helm until 2014, the SITA newswire reported.
PM Radičová rejects nuclear shutdown and stresses energy mix
Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radičová, responding to Germany's definitive decision to shut down all its nuclear power plants by 2022, said in Ljubljana on May 30 that Slovakia has no other option than applying an energy mix in its policy, the TASR newswire reported.
Head of Slovak National Party visits Roma settlement
The head of the Slovak National Party (SNS), Ján Slota, visited a Roma settlement in Podskalka, near Humenné, on May 28 after his party had a meeting of its expanded board in Humenné, the SITA newswire wrote.
Convicted murderer continues avoiding the start of his jail term
Slavomír Surový, a purported associate of Mikuláš Černák – one of Slovakia's most notorious criminals – who was recently convicted of murder and attempted murder is still free even though he was sentenced to 15 years in jail more than a month ago, Justice Ministry spokesman Peter Bubla told the TASR newswire on May 27. "According to the records of the Justice and Prison Guard Department (ZVJS), Slavomír Surový hasn't begun serving his sentence yet," said Bubla.
Slovakia’s newest political party to be called Nation and Justice (NAS)
Independent MP Anna Belousovová's announced that her new political party will be called Nation and Justice (NAS) at a press conference held on May 27, the TASR newswire reported. Belousovová, who split from the Slovak National Party (SNS) along with MP Rudolf Pučík, said the new party will be based on civilised, democratic, non-confrontational and non-xenophobic patriotism, adding that she has the ambition to get the party into parliament in the next general election scheduled for 2014, while refusing to describe her party as rightist or leftist.
More than 100 trains participate in one-hour strike on May 27
As many as 92 passenger trains in Slovakia, about 40 to 50 percent of all passenger trains, joined the one-hour strike of train drivers throughout the country between 14:50 and 15:50 on Friday, May 27, the railways’ spokesperson, Martina Pavlíková, told the TASR newswire. She also said that the one-hour strike affected only four long-distance passenger trains, which is fewer than originally expected. "Also 30 cargo trains joined the strike, with none of them blocking the traffic on rails," said Pavlíková, adding that no unforeseen circumstances occurred during the warning strike. The spokeswoman said the worst situation was on the track from Bratislava through Dunajská Streda to Komárno where all trains joined the strike.
SaS and mayors clash over new law
SALARIES of mayors of Slovak cities, towns and villages will be reduced by 10 percent as early as June, according to a law passed by parliament on May 17 that was subsequently signed by President Ivan Gašparovič.
Quote of the week
“Never ever in my life have I attacked minorities; I am only attacking the draft law.”
Association of collection agencies launched in Slo
FIVE international collection agencies operating in Slovakia founded the Association of Slovak Collection Agencies (ASINS) in mid October 2010. Its primary goal is to represent the interests of professional companies active in collection of receivables and secure their proper operation in the market. The founding members of ASINS are EOS KSI Slovensko, Intrum Justitia Slovakia, Coface Slovakia Credit Management Services, Creditre form and Transcom Worldwide Slovakia, ASINS wrote in its press release.
‘Tatra Trash’ website should provoke lively discussion
THE TATRAS Beautifying Association has decided to provoke some lively discussion and make people think about the condition of some of the High Tatras’ buildings, calling its project Tatranské haraburdy (Tatra Trash) and displaying mountain buildings on its website that are in particularly poor condition.
Most-Híd passes key minorities law
THE THRESHOLD for using a minority language in official communication – which also includes displaying the names of villages and public institutions in both the state and the minority language – will drop from the current 20 to 15 percent – but no sooner than in ten years’ time. Until then, the current status quo will be preserved.
Proxy: Roma were illegally evicted
ROMA living in the vicinity of Ťahanovce, a district of Košice, were forced to leave their houses on May 17 when municipal authorities decided to demolish an illegal waste dump and illegal shanties that had been built around it.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA Bratislava EXHIBITION: The Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava begins a new programme on June 2 at 18:00 when it offers in-depth artistic insights and experience in the English language. The sessions will introduce permanent and current exhibitions and will be followed by informal discussions. The first Thursday Art Talk is focused on The Last Classic / Ernest Zmeták, Artist and Collector – one of the most significant Slovak painters of the second half of the 20th century.
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
