Archive of articles - December 2014
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SHMÚ issues cold weather warnings
IT APPEARS that the end of the year will be unusually cold for most of Slovakia, with meteorologists of the Slovak Hydro-Meteorological Institute (SHMÚ) issuing first- and second-level warnings for December 30 and 31 due to extremely low temperatures. As for December 31, SHMÚ has issued extreme low temperature warnings of first and second level for the whole country. A more severe second-level alert will be valid for the north of the country, including parts of central and eastern Slovakia. Facing temperatures of down low to -24 degrees Celsius should be Trenčín, Žilina, and Prešov regions, as well as parts of Banská Bystrica and Košice regions. The warning will be in place between 2:00 and 8:00. The rest of Slovakia is expected to be subject to a less-severe first-level warning, with temperatures hovering between -14 to -19 degrees Celsius between 2:00 and 8.00 on December 31.
Court stops charges against Malinová-Žáková
THE NITRA District Court rejected charges against Hedviga Malinová-Žáková, pertaining to her alleged perjury concerning her beating in summer 2006.
State launched 101 tenders just before Christmas
The government launched more than 100 tenders on December 23, vying to purchase software licenses, to enhance the sewer system from European Union funds and repair a bridge, the Transparency International Slovensko (TIS) watchdog pointed out.
Mazák proposed as Slovak candidate for ECHR
THE OTHER Slovak candidate for the judge of the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) is current advisor of President Andrej Kiska, Ján Mazák.
Statistics Office: Economic sentiment unchanged in December
THE INDEX of Economic Sentiment (IES) stayed put in December 2014, with favourable month-on-month developments in trade and among consumers toned down by less favourable developments in industry and services, the Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) reported on December 29. The index is currently 7.4 points above the figure recorded during the same period last year and is 1.7 points below the long-term average. The indicator of trust in industry fell 5.6 p.p. month-on-month to 1.7 and was slightly below the long-term average, the TASR newswire quoted the ŠÚ. The drop of the indicator was caused by unfavourable developments of all its three components: growth of industrial products reserves, drops in the overall level of orders and the anticipated decrease in industrial production over next three months. Meanwhile, the indicator of confidence in construction remained unchanged on from November, with more favourable evaluations of the volume of orders being cancelled by less favourable expectations with respect to employment figures. The current level of 11.5 points exceeds the long-term average.
Attempt to have arbitration verdict rescinded fails
SLOVAKIA’s bid to overturn the verdict according to which the country has to pay compensations reaching millions of euros to Achmea, the private stockholder of health insurance company Union, over the ban on profits ushered in by the first government of Robert Fico (2006-10) was rejected last week by the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt. This decision can be appealed against at the Supreme Federal (German) Court.
Analysts: Inflation to remain low in 2015
PRICES in Slovak stores are not expected to see significant growth in 2015, analysts say. “In our estimates, prices will begin to rise only slightly, with the average rate of inflation in 2015 likely to be in the neighbourhood of 1 percent,” Poštová banka analyst Dana Vrabcová said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. This view is shared by other analysts. “We expect to see inflation grow only slightly from its current zero value and that it won’t exceed 1 percent throughout next year, said VÚB bank analyst Zdenko Štefanides. “However, due to plummeting crude oil prices, it’s even possible that growth in inflation will be postponed until 2016.” Although some products and services could record price hikes, the experts concur that inflation is likely to be dampened by lower transport and energy prices.
Foreign Ministry provided nearly €500,000 in humanitarian aid
IN THE course of 2014, the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry provided a total of €499,500 in humanitarian aid abroad.
Some city transport in Bratislava delayed by snow and ice
SNOWFALL is complicating the road transport in Bratislava, especially in marginal areas and in hilly terrain. In the centre, city transport is delayed in 10 minutes, but in boroughs of Dolné Hony, Devínska Nová Ves, or Dlhé diely, passengers are forced to wait an extra 30 minutes, the SITA newswire wrote. Trams are moving without any flaws.
Parliament speaker wants code of conduct for MPs
DEPUTIES should have their own Code of Conduct that would regulate their behaviour in parliament and during meetings with lobbyists, new Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini said. “It might be useful to have a Code of Conduct that would detail the expected behaviour of lawmakers not only during voting but also when expressing themselves or in conflict of interest situations,” he said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “Also, when meeting certain interest groups, for instance, lawmakers shouldn’t accept gifts.”
EU helps connect Ireland and Slovakia
IF YOU get Irish people believe in something most of them will work forever, especially when they really believe that what they are doing is good, said Irish Ambassador to Slovakia Anne-Marie Callan when describing her experience from helping the poor in Sierra Leone.
New Year’s celebrations both classics and raucous
THE CHRISTMAS season in Slovakia still reflects some of the Christian traditions of the country, as well as most of the traditions. However, after having spent some time secluded in their family circles, people tend to celebrate the New Year’s Eve and the coming of the New Year by partying, visiting the theatre or a concert – or perhaps taking in a firework show.
Christmas traditions persevere in Bratislava region
IN THE region of today’s Bratislava – earlier called Pressburg in German, Pozsony in Hungarian and Prešporok in Slovak – Croatian, Czech or Jewish traditions also added to a specific cultural combination most visible during special occasions and community festivities, like Christmas.
IVO: Democracy took turn for worse in Slovakia in 2014
THE QUALITY of democracy measured by the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) Barometer has taken a turn for the worse, with the 2014 evaluation seeing a year-on-year drop of 0.3 points to an overall grade of 3.2, said IVO President Grigorij Mesežnikov at a press conference on December 22, the TASR newswire reported.
Number of train passengers has risen by more than 20 percent
THE FIRST statistics obtained by state-owned rail passenger carrier ŽSSK show that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s expectations regarding the introduction of free train transport for students and pensioners have been met, as the number of passengers using trains has risen by more than 20 percent year-on-year in the past month, the Sme daily reported on December 22.
Car industry supplier Howe to create hundreds of jobs in Košice
AUSTRALIAN company Howe is relocating some of its production to eastern Slovakia, planning to create hundreds of jobs in the Immopark logistics park in Košice, the TASR newswire reported December 22.
SE asks state for permission to publish Gabčíkovo documents
SLOVAKIA’s largest electricity company, Slovenské Elektrárne (SE) has asked the state for permission to publish all the relevant documents concerning the operation of the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant, as announced on SE’s website on December 22.
Unemployment down by 0.1 p. p. partly because of demographics
THE UNEMPLOYEMENT rate in Slovakia was measured at 12.25 percent in November, falling from the 12.35 percent recorded the month before. On an annual basis, the jobless rate shrank by 1.25 percentage points, the TASR newswire reported.
Kotleba: I do not extort money
BANSKÁ Bystrica regional governor Marian Kotleba appeared at a special hearing before regional councillors on December in order to respond to claims that all nominees at the regional authority and employees of the regional road administration have to transfer 20 percent of their salaries into Kotleba’s bank account, as was reported by the Plus 7 Dní weekly.
Constitutional Court dismisses Čentéš complaint
THE CONSTITUTIONAL Court (CC) did not accept a complaint submitted by elected but un-appointed prosecutor general Jozef Čentéš. He submitted the complaint in June 2011, objecting to the inactivity of the president and procrastination in the decision-making process, the SITA newswire reported on December 19.
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