Archive of articles - December 2013, page 11
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Another presidential candidate up
MILAN Kňažko, one of the leaders of the Velvet Revolution and a former government official, has confirmed his candidacy in the 2014 presidential election. He will run as an independent candidate, and the main motto of his election campaign will be “There is much at stake again”.
Recreation centres struggle financially
A glossary of words as well as an exercise related to this article are also published online.
Bojnice altar returns to original placement after 80 years
THE MOST precious historical artwork of the Bojnice Castle, 10 panel paintings by medieval Florentine maestro Nardo Di Cione, known as the Bojnice Altar, has been returned to the castle chapel after 80 years – as was long wished by the castle’s last owner, Count Ján Pálffy (1829-1908).
Danes focus on production, services and sales, farming
DESPITE the differences in the economic development between Denmark and Slovakia, both countries are similar in size as well as population, and both have open economies. Relations between the two countries remain healthy, with plenty of room for more cooperation in mutual trade or investments.
Eagle Arnold re-appears after 16 days
ARNOLD the eagle, whose migratory journey to his winter home is being followed by protectionists and the public, has re-surfaced after the signal from his solar transmitter was lost for 16 days.
Exercise: Recreation centres struggle financially
Hobbies, Leisure and Lifestyle-Spectator College
Representing a happy nation
CHRISTIAN Konigsfeldt often uses his bicycle in Bratislava and he is confident that Slovakia could find inspiration from Denmark’s bicycle-friendliness, as the Danish ambassador to Slovakia sees here “an evident potential to expand the possibilities for using bicycles, for pleasure as well as a means of transport”. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Ambassador Konigsfeldt about the energy policies of his homeland, which tops the World Happiness ranking, as well as its knowledge-based economy and the business and tourism potential between the countries.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
GDP growth up by 0.9 percent in Q3
SLOVAKIA’s economy grew by 0.9 percent in the third quarter of this year, the data of the Statistics Office show, confirming its flash estimate from November, the SITA newswire reported.
Pastoral letter divides Slovaks
THE PRE-CHRISTMAS period this year in Slovakia has seen growing tension between gay rights activists and supporters of 'traditional family'. This was especially due to a letter the Catholic bishops of Slovakia wrote to their followers on December 1. The controversy arose after the pastoral letter was read aloud in all Slovak Catholic churches on the first Sunday of the Advent season, December 1, which was broadcast by local media and through the internet.
Trnka may be sacked
FORMER general prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka, whose 2010 re-election bid prompted then prime minister Iveta Radičová to say she would resign if he succeeded, may no longer be allowed to serve as a rank-and-file prosecutor. A disciplinary commission imposed on Trnka the toughest ever punishment for his involvement in a controversial real estate transfer, banning him on November 29, the Sme daily reported. The so-called Glance House case pertains to the controversial transfer of a luxury residential development in Bernolákovo, a municipality near Bratislava, based on a letter sent by Trnka sidestepping an embargo by the Special Prosecutor’s Office on any dealings involving the building.
Corruption as a chronic condition
SLOVAKIA has been living with corruption the way some people live with chronic diseases. Even if those unfortunates do not succumb to their disease in a short time, their quality of life is undeniably harmed. Many citizens of nations crippled by corruption seemingly fail to realise that cronyism, tailor-made tenders, petty or even hefty bribes, hurt not only them, but their children as well.
Slovak pupils score low in math
STUDENTS in Slovakia performed poorly in the international testing of 15-year olds. Results show mathematics, this year’s highlighted area of testing, proves to be a problem for many Slovak pupils.“For the first time the results of Slovak pupils in all three considered areas are significantly lower than the average performance of the OECD countries,” the National Institute of Certified Measuring of Education (NÚCEM) reported.
Potato festival offers up variety of materials made from crop
ONE of Slovakia’s typical foods, the potato, got its due at a festival organised by the city of Banská Štiavnica at the end of November.
Norway's presence small, but key
NORWEGIAN investments in Slovakia are not very extensive, but some companies with business links to Norway are among the more important firms and employers in the country.
Regulated energy prices to fall
IN LATE November the Regulatory Office for Network Industries announced awaited cuts to energy prices for households and small business as prices remain regulated in Slovakia. While the average decrease in the maximum electricity prices between 6.5 and 7 percent has created no excitement, the decrease of natural gas prices in tens of percents for households has brought complaints by smaller gas suppliers.
Debate over budget continues
PARLIAMENTARY deputies continue their debate over the state budget for 2014, which started on December 5 with speeches from Finance Minister Peter Kažimír and his predecessor Ivan Mikloš from the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ). The opposition deputies criticise the proposal, saying they will not vote for it, but since the ruling Smer party has a clear majority in parliament, it is likely that the budget will pass.
Prosecution drops charges in murder case
THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE has dropped its charges against Viliam M. in the case of the murder of Peter Čongrády and for his membership in an organised criminal group, the Čas.sk website reported on December 5. Though the police released him on the same day, he was detained again and charged with a new crime.
First convicted Slovak terrorist to be re-examined
THE COURT could change the verdict that sentenced the man found guilty of terrorism to 25 years in prison for blowing up a rubbish bin close to a McDonalds’ fast food branch in Košice. Since two psychiatrists have different opinion than their colleagues, claiming that 33-year-old Ladislav K. could not control his behaviour, it is possible he will be placed into a mental hospital, the Sme daily reported in its December 6 issue.
Slovakia sends condolences to South Africa
CONDOLENCES were sent from all over the world to South Africa, whose former president and one of the most significant fighters against apartheid, Nelson Mandela, died on December 5. Slovak politicians expressed their sympathy, and spoke of the life of one of the most influential personalities in the modern era of South Africa.
- 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
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 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
- 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 ›
