Archive of articles - October 2012, page 8
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The fate of Ľubovňa
THE CASTLE of Ľubovňa holds a special place among its fellow Slovaks. Its fate turned out in such a way that, although it was built initially as a guardian castle on the Great-Hungarian-Polish border and was meant, of course, to protect the interest of the Hungarian Empire, in the end it served Poland for several centuries.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Fitch confirms VÚB's long-term issuer default rating at BBB+
International ratings agency Fitch has confirmed the long-term issuer default rating (IDR) of Všeobecná Úverová Banka's (VÚB), one of Slovakia's main commercial banks, at BBB+ with a negative outlook, the TASR newswire reported, citing Fitch Ratings on Thursday, October 18. Meanwhile, the short-term rating of the bank was kept at 'F2' and the so-called support rating retained at '2',
Special Prosecutor rejects Štefanov’s complaint, investigation continues
Igor Štefanov, who was Slovakia's construction minister between April 2009 and March 2010 as a nominee of the Slovak National Party (SNS), will face criminal prosecution over the case of the so-called bulletin-board tender after the Special Prosecutor's Office turned down his complaint seeking to have his indictment on tender manipulation halted, the TASR newswire reported on Thursday, October 18.
Municipalities pledge to create financial reserves, but some dissent
Prime Minister Robert Fico and representatives of the Association of Slovak Towns and Villages (ZMOS) on Thursday, October 18, signed a memorandum in which local authorities pledged to run their offices in a responsible manner and create financial reserves, the TASR newswire learnt. The agreement is aimed at helping cut Slovakia's public finance deficit to below 3 percent of GDP in 2013.
Buček: Nuclear-disaster drill at Bohunice went smoothly
The initial results of a two-day nuclear-disaster simulation carried out at the nuclear power plant at Jaslovské Bohunice in Trnava Region indicate that Slovakia is well prepared for such an event, said Interior Ministry State Secretary Jozef Buček on Thursday, October 18.
Major safety drill at nuclear plant
A TWO-MINUTE long, varied tone on the siren sounded throughout the site of the V2 nuclear power station in Jaslovské Bohunice on the morning of October 17. Such an alarm would normally signal a radiation danger alert, but fortunately this was only a simulation, part of a two-day nationwide safety exercise called Havran (Raven) 2012.
An extraordinary Sunday lunch
HAVING a Sunday lunch with your family may not be as boring as it first sounds. Especially if you are accompanied by foreigners who live in your neighbourhood.
Poll: SDKÚ support below 5 percent
The Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) would not make it into parliament, according to the most recent poll by the MVK polling agency. In October, the party, led by Pavol Frešo, received only 4.8 percent of respondents’ preferences, the SITA newswire reported, citing the poll.
Number of unemployment benefit claimants falls
The number of recipients of unemployment benefit in Slovakia decreased in September compared with August. Last month, 40,900 unemployed received unemployment benefits. Compared to August, this was a fall of almost 1,000 people, the SITA newswire wrote.
Slovakia and Czech Republic will cooperate in criminal investigations
Cooperation between the Slovak and Czech authorities in investigating crimes is to be made easier, the SITA newswire wrote. New rules will come into effect on the use of video conferencing, cross-border surveillance, controlled delivery, agents’ work, and bogus money transfers.
Report: Fico in running for EC president’s job
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico might run for the job of president of the European Commission. The Party of European Socialists (PES) is reportedly considering nominating him as a replacement for José Manuel Barroso, the current EC president, whose term ends in 2014, the Hospodárske Noviny daily reported on October 18.
State passes legislation to protect itself from lawsuits
The ruling Smer party pushed through an amendment in parliament on Wednesday, October 17, that makes it more difficult to claim reimbursement for mistakes by the state. As of December 2012, citizens will be able to claim damage only if they use vaguely defined "efficient tools for reparation", the Sme daily wrote in its Thursday issue.
Fico refuses to allow cabinet to discuss SPP share sale
The Slovak cabinet declined, at its session on Wednesday, October 17, to discuss the transfer of the 49-percent stake in Slovak gas utility SPP owned by French and German companies to Czech energy concern Energetický a Prúmyslový Holding (Energy and Industrial Holding (EPH)), the TASR newswire reported.
Ministers approve temporary solution for emergency oil reserves
The Slovak cabinet on Wednesday, October 17, temporarily resolved Slovakia’s obligation to hold emergency stocks of oil. Ministers approved a draft amendment to the law on emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products, the SITA newswire reported.
Havran
GERM, Mexican Tunnel, Holy Willi, Gorilla. These are just a few examples of the names the Slovak security forces have given their operations aimed against drugs, smuggling, suspects with Christian-Democratic ties, or over-sized former special unit members. So calling this week’s nuclear alert drill Havran (Raven) seems like a rather conservative choice.
Fico seeks '0.0%' gas price hike
“THERE will be a 0.0 percent hike,” was how Prime Minister Robert Fico responded to the price hike plans of Slovakia’s major gas distributor, giving Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP) an ultimatum: minority shareholders of SPP should either refrain from pursuing higher gas prices for households or his cabinet would not approve the sale of their 49-percent stake in the utility as the state, which owns 51 percent of the company, has a pre-emptive right to buy the shares.
Parliament rushes to ok amendment to waste law
The Environment Ministry's proposed amendment to the act on waste is to be discussed in fast-track proceedings in parliament as decided by MPs on Tuesday, October 16, the TASR newswire learned. A total of 99 legislators decided that the process of adopting this piece of legislation will, in effect, take several hours rather than several weeks.
Woman injured in Ružinov fire still in critical condition
A week after an apartment building on Nezábudková Street in the Bratislava borough of Ružinov caught on fire, a woman who sustained the most serious injuries is still listed in critical condition. Two other victims also remained hospitalised as of Tuesday, October 16, spokesperson of the University Hospital in Bratislava, Petra Stano Maťašovská informed the SITA newswire.
NDS launches construction of R2 bypass around Žiar nad Hronom
Transport Minister Ján Počiatek, along with general director of the National Highway Company (NDS) Milan Gajdoš and a representative of the construction company on Tuesday, October 16, tapped the foundation stone of the western bypass around Žiar nad Hronom in Banská Bystrica region, which is part of the R2 dual carriageway.
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process More articles ›
