Archive of articles - January 2014, page 7
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Brazilian-Slovak Trade
Slovakia has traditionally had a bilateral trade surplus, according to Brazilian data. In the period of January- November 2013, it amounted to $135.22 million, plus 38 percent in comparison with the same period in 2012, while trade in both directions reached a total amount of $184.63 million. Machinery and vehicles are the main exports of both Slovakia and Brazil. There is potential to enhance and diversify Brazilian-Slovak trade flows. Participation in international fairs in both countries and business missions are useful tools.
Slovakia’s first oilfield discovered 100 years ago
THE FIRST oilfield on Slovak territory was discovered 100 years ago in the western-Slovak municipality of Gbely. Oil was first drilled there on January 10, 1914, and industrial extraction began three days later. About 15 tons of crude oil was drawn daily after the initial test bore.
'There is much more to World Cup than winning'
WHILE the ultimate dream of many Brazilians for 2014 is to see their homeland win the World Cup, hosted by Brazil, Susan Kleebank suggests that there is much more to the event than winning, as it will “reinforce the positive image of our diversity and promote values such as tolerance and mutual respect among people of the most different origins”.
Truth and its consequences
INTERIOR Minister Robert Kaliňák, the long-time right-hand man of Prime Minister Robert Fico, has much confidence in his ability to determine who is and who is not telling the truth. Kaliňák makes such declarations with such clarity, it is as if he had just seen a set of polygraph test results.
Downtown Bratislava trams to be re-routed with lines to Petržalka
TRAM lines 2, 4, 6 and 7 will stop serving the route along the Vajanského Embankment and Štúrova Street in Bratislava from January 20 on. They will be re-routed due to construction work on the first phase of the so-called supportive city transport system on Štúrova Street, Bratislava spokesman Stanislav Ščepán told the SITA newswire.
Fico talks changes in judiciary
“WE ARE losing patience with the Slovak judiciary,” Robert Fico admitted recently. While Fico’s opponents doubt the sincerity of his statement, pointing to his reluctance to act on justice-related matters until recently, the justice minister claims to be involved with making changes to the judiciary, which the top justice says he welcomes.
Brazilian movies make their mark
BRAZIL has a rich, colourful, multi-ethnic culture that seems exotic and unusual compared to Slovakia. At the same time, some of its cultural elements have planted deep roots here, like capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that merges dance, music and acrobatics into a distinctive, playful sport.
Metropolis investor cuts casino
A WIDELY criticised American-style casino will not be part of Metropolis, a multi-use development planned for the outskirts of Bratislava, as its investor, TriGranit, has cut it from the plans of the project’s first phase.
Children make their own opera
MUSICAL workshop Sinfonium will prepare in its third year a series of events for children. At the Stanica Žilina-Záriečie culture hub, kids will learn to play musical instruments and to sing, and will perform an opera in May 2014.
Police won't reveal Interblue data, yet
THE SLOVAK police should already have an idea about who benefited from the shifty 2008 carbon dioxide emissions deal brokered by the garage-based company, Interblue Group. But the government insists that such information must remains secret, for now.
Politicians target dubious lenders
A TRIO of proposed laws to regulate dubious, high-interest loans from non-banking companies and the property seizures that frequently result, look set to be part of parliament’s future legislative agenda.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
From traditional to modern
THIS 1926 photograph taken in Dobrá Niva, close to the town of Zvolen, captures children with a parish priest during their first sacrament of confession. As this was an important event, the children donned festive traditional folk costumes. In the 1920s, such traditional folk outfits were still commonly worn in villages.
Brazil: General facts
Political system: federal republicCapital: BrasíliaTotal area: 8,515,767 square kilometresPopulation: 197 millionOfficial language: PortugueseCurrency: Real
Around the globe in 2013
GREETINGS from India’s ‘Land of Spices’, Hungary’s ‘Land of 100 soups’ and Finland’s ‘Land of Lakes’; America suggested ‘eating the colours of the rainbow’, Israel touted its culinary openness, while Greece advised that one ‘cook with love’; a Swiss meal embodied the spirit of its homeland, while the secrets of Indonesian slow-cooking and Korean Kimchi were revealed. These were all part of The Slovak Spectator and TV Sme’s explorations into culinary cultures of the world through the Cooking with Ambassadors programme in 2013.
Investors jump at Slovak bonds
SLOVAK government bonds, of the new 15-year benchmark euro-bond emission, were in demand during the January 10 auction. As many as 170 investors placed orders worth €4 billion, the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL) reported, according to the SITA newswire.
Coldest Slovak ski resort relying on artificial snow
THE SKI resort in what is traditionally the coldest part of Slovakia, in the valley near the municipality of Oravská Lesná, has been forced to create artificial snow. In the lingering, unseasonably warm weather which has resulted in scant snow, the resort’s operators have managed to prepare a continuous artificial snow cover on the slopes.
Couple wed in High Tatras ice temple
PLZEŇ-based sculptor František Bálek and a dozen of his assistants built an ice temple at Hrebienok, a small ski resort in the High Tatras, in which he married his fiancée, Dagmar, on December 18.
Magical Christmas at the Castle attracts thousands
THE BOJNICE Castle branch of the Slovak National Museum organised for the Christmas season a Magical Christmas and Three Kings event. Between December 6 and January 6, it lured 6,702 visitors, Kamila Píšová, of the museum’s press department, informed the TASR newswire.
Brazil stokes interest of Slovak companies
BOTH Slovakia and Brazil are seeking new business opportunities. While interest among Brazilian investors in central and eastern European markets has been growing, Slovak entrepreneurs are looking to extend their activities outside the EU.
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- UK appoints Bilal Zahid as new ambassador to Slovakia
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- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
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- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- 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 Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 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 ›
