Archive of articles - July 2012, page 2
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Storks carefully relocated to a new nest
ENVIRONMENTALISTS helped by fire fighters and a large crane successful moved a family of storks nesting on a chimney of a family villa in Poprad-Veľká to a man-made construction mounted on a concrete pillar. The storks liked their old nest on the chimney of the villa so much that even after environmentalists from the Tatras National Park (TANAP) made a new nest for them this spring, they returned to their original nest on the chimney.
'Super- humans' no more
IN A RARE expression of unanimity – albeit one that had previously eluded them for almost 20 years – Slovak parliamentarians voted on July 26 to abolish their own immunity from criminal prosecution. All the 144 deputies present in the 150-member house voted for the amendment to the constitution. MPs also backed a corresponding change in the Criminal Code. The new rules will come into effect on September 1, the day that Slovakia celebrates 20 years since it adopted its modern-day constitution.Observers noted that the change, which was backed by all parties, leaves only judges as essentially above the law. Achieving the change, which followed several unsuccessful attempts over the years, required a constitutional majority – the support of at least 90 MPs.
SDKÚ seeks prepaid licence fees
THE OPPOSITION Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) party has proposed that self-employed individuals in Slovakia should pay an annual licence fee in advance, stating that this would improve collection of taxes and payroll levies because these would be paid at the beginning of a year rather than at the end of a tax year. The SDKÚ MPs propose that the licence fee be introduced in January 2013.
Lajčák meets with US officials
THE WESTERN Balkans, countries of the Eastern Partnership and the Middle East were the key topics of a meeting between Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák and representatives of the US State Department in Washington during Lajčák’s official visit to Washington DC, the TASR newswire reported.“We’re convinced that if they meet all the requirements, the countries of the Western Balkans in particular should be given the chance to become EU and NATO members,” stated Lajčák, as quoted by TASR.
Military intelligence offices to merge
SLOVAKIA’s two military intelligence services will be merged as of January 2013 based on an amendment to the law on military intelligence passed by parliament on July 25.
Cyclist Sagan to help open the London Olympics
SLOVAK cyclist Peter Sagan, after an outstanding result in the 2012 Tour de France cycling race, where he took the green jersey and won three stages, will represent Slovakia at the London Olympics on July 28. Sagan’s success in the tour has placed him among the most promising young cyclists in the world.
Mello's stay in Belize lengthens
BELIZE has been making headlines in the Slovak media recently, thanks to the arrest there on July 11 of Slovakia’s most wanted man. Karol Mello, who is accused of several serious crimes, including a double murder committed near Bratislava in 2004, was arrested on the Caribbean island of San Pedro where he had apparently been living for several months. Despite initial attempts to extradite Mello to Slovakia, the 42-year-old will probably remain in the Central American country until August 10, when a Belize court is scheduled to consider his case.
Nurses in black T-shirts rally before parliament
HUNDREDS of nurses wearing black T-shirts filled the streets in front of Slovakia’s parliament on July 24 to express their disagreement with a preliminary injunction issued by the Constitutional Court. The ruling suspended a law establishing a minimum monthly wage for nurses of at least €640 – or more, depending on their experience and specialisation.
St George’s Rotunda is several centuries older than first thought
RESEARCHERS studying the Rotunda of St George in Nitrianska Blatnica in Topoľčany district have announced that they believe it is the oldest rotunda in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It was originally thought the rotunda was built in the first half of the 11th century but now the researchers believe it is several centuries older and dates back to the times of Great Moravia.
Parliament to be briefed on Gorilla
JAROSLAV Haščák, one of the co-owners of the Penta financial group, has sent a letter to parliament’s constitutional committee asking that Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák refrain from briefing parliament on the current status of the investigation into the so-called Gorilla file, the TASR newswire reported.
Some companies with British capital in Slovakia
Allen & Overy, www.allenovery.comAquaCity Poprad, www.aquacity.skBoxperfect, www.boxperfect.comBPP Professional Education, www.bpp.com/slovakiaENL SK, www.enl.skG4S Secure Solutions (SK), www.g4s.skGlaxoSmithKline Slovakia, www.gsk.skKinstellar, www.kinstellar.comSlovak Health Spa Pieštany, www.spapiestany.skTesco Stores SR, www.itesco.sk
Quote of the week
“This is not some kind of experiment a la Guatemala. This is the European way.”
Eyeing more British investments
WHILE the ongoing economic crisis and problems in the eurozone have dimmed British investors’ interest in Slovakia, mutual trade is still growing, and the overall forecast is positive. As Slovakia is not widely known in Great Britain as an investment destination, it has had to take a more active approach towards promotion. In June the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency toured the UK seeking partners to host investment seminars and support mutual trade.
Guarding Šariš Castle
IN THIS postcard from 1935, the town of Veľký Šariš in eastern Slovakia is shown in the foreground and on the tall hill behind stands Šariš Castle, which for many years had determined the character of life in its surroundings.
Changes proposed in university funding
THE SUMMER holidays this year are not idle months for the staff of Slovak universities as the Education Ministry is pursuing major changes in various aspects of the higher education system in Slovakia and an amendment to the country’s Act on Universities is now undergoing interdepartmental review.
Slovak athletes participating in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London
Athletics (3 athletes):1. Hana Kolníková2. Adrián Matušík3. Miloš BardiovskýAlternates (2): Marek Margoč, Július Hutka
Kremnica-minted coin is sold for €130,000
A COIN called a called a zlatník (zlato means gold in Slovak) that was minted in Kremnica was sold at auction for €130,000.
Defence Ministry seeks extra funds
THE DEFENCE Ministry’s priorities will require nearly €66 million more than it originally sought for its 2013 budget, the TASR newswire reported.
Slovenské Elektrárne loses lawsuit
THE PRIMARY electricity producer in Slovakia, Slovenské Elektrárne (SE), has a lost a lawsuit in which it was seeking €94 million from the state in compensatory damages based on the government’s regulation of electricity prices for households and small enterprises in 2009.
Go ahead given on purchase of NCHZ
THE SALE of Novácke Chemické Závody (NCHZ), a bankrupt chemical firm, will not restrict competition, according to Slovakia’s Anti-Monopoly Office (PMÚ). This means that the purchase of NCHZ by Via Chem Slovakia, controlled by the Czech Via Chem Group, can move forward. The approval by the PMÚ was effective on July 20, the SITA newswire reported.
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- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
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- 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 ›
