Archive of articles - May 2015
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Days of Early Music celebrate 20 years
THE ONLY continual international festival of its kind in Slovakia, Days of Early Music have turned 20 this year. In one week in June, it still finds apt works to be played, and eager musicians to perform them.
Quote of the week
“The level of self-reflection in Smer is set so high that when it comes to potential failures we do not need supervising authorities.”
Marmots in Belianske Tatras are proliferating
THE NUMBER of Alpine marmots living in the Belianske Tatras mountain range – just to the east of the High Tatras – has increased after a number of years without positive developments.
VAT, wages, pensions and more addressed
Economists would like to see more ‘investment’ measures.
Váhostav lives to trade on
A COURT has approved the restructuring plan of Váhostav-SK, the construction firm which owes millions of euros to creditors and was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Government points to Roma incest
THE EUROPEAN Commission (EC) has launched a legal action against Slovakia for discrimination against Roma pupils, citing the high number of Roma in special schools. The government attempted to defend itself by claiming that many Roma children are mentally disabled and alleging that this is because they are the products of incest, the Sme daily reported on May 26, quoting the EC’s official document.
Worker dies of argon poisoning in Mochovce nuclear power plant
A WORKER involved in the construction of the third and fourth blocks of the Mochovce nuclear power plant in Nitra region died on May 28 after inhaling the gas argon, the TASR newswire learnt from the Cas.sk website.
Kiska vetoes minimum pension bill
PRESIDENT Andrej Kiska on May 28 vetoed an amendment to the Social Insurance Act that introduces the minimum pension, citing what he called discrimination against savers in the capitalisation pillar of the pension system, the TASR newswire learned on the same day.
Head of Roma folk group Akimov gets French state award
THE FRENCH Ambassador to Slovakia Didier Lopinot decorated Ivan Akimov, head of Roma folk group Kesaj Tchave, with the Chevalier dans l’Ordre national du Mérite state award (Knight of the National Order for Merit) at Kežmarok Castle on May 28.
Opposition alleges "Bolshevik methods" on parliamentary committee
THE PARLIAMENTARY culture and media committee failed to discuss a recent government decision to ban communications with Denník N newspaper at its May 28 session. Smer legislators, who dominate the body, rejected if from the agenda.
European customs administrators meet in Bratislava
THE MAIN topics at a meeting of 29 heads of customs administrations from the European Union and Turkey that began in Bratislava on May 28 are infrastructure and the financing of the European Union’s external borders, customs union reform and customs cooperation in Europe, the TASR newswire reported.
Slovakia opposes EU resettlement
PM Fico cites threat of terrorism from new migrants.
Same sex shift
PUBLIC opinion in the West has shifted in favour of same sex marriage faster than on any major issue of recent memory.
Castle garages go on
THOUGH parliament is promising to protect unique finds at Bratislava Castle, which date from Celtic times and are situated close to the construction site of controversial garages, activists argue there will be insufficient protection of the discoveries and are even considering criminal complaints.
Government introduces Slovak music quota for radio
PRIVATE radio stations will have to broadcast at least 20 percent Slovak music starting next year, and at least 25 percent since 2017, according to an amendment to the law on broadcasting and re-transmission approved by the government May 27.
PKO facility to remain standing, for now
THE LONG-DISPUTED Park Kultúry and oddychu (PKO) cultural, social and education venue on the Danube embankment will not be demolished anytime soon, after Bratislava city councillors refused on May 27 to abolish an earlier resolution that keeps the complex intact.
Slovakia and Australia sign working holiday scheme for young people
SLOVAK Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák made an official visit to Australia where he singed Mutual Holiday Scheme agreement with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop in Canberra on May 27.
Slovaks earn less than Czechs, more than Poles
THE AVERAGE net monthly salary of an employed Slovak was €665 last year, according to the European Union's statistics office Eurostat and the calculations of Poštová banka analysts.
Italian count Lanfranconi tamed the Danube river in Bratislava
IT WAS Italian expert on waterworks, builder and inventor count Enea Grazioso Lanfranconi who designed the regulation of the Danube river not just to protect Bratislava from floods, but also to enable viable shipping transport.
Slovakia to take migrants, opposes resettlement scheme
THE EUROPEAN Commission has published a specific proposal for the resettlement of migrants, with an eye towards alleviating the burden of Greece and Italy, the two southern countries that have faced long-term influx of migrants from across the Mediterranean Sea.
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- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- Strange romance: Slovak leaders’ affection for Russia has yo-yoed
- 'Don’t be afraid to use cash, say Slovak entrepreneurs as transaction tax begins
- Syrian about to finally finish hotel in Bratislava started 17 years ago
- News digest: 350 brown bears to be culled as Slovakia declares emergency
- News digest: Bear suspected of killing man in central Slovakia
- What abides: Giving a shit
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- Číž spa water once even sent to USA
- News digest: Thousands march as Fico stands by “Russian-style” NGO bill Photo
- Strange romance: Slovak leaders’ affection for Russia has yo-yoed
- A diplomat who thrives on building bridges…and making things happen
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- What abides: Giving a shit
- Weekend: On your marks, get set... Running and marathon season beckons
- A paper that wasn’t supposed to last
- News digest: 350 brown bears to be culled as Slovakia declares emergency
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- Bratislava satellite town breaks records and keeps expanding
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- Slovak dad drops everything for son’s NHL debut — even a flight
- The Slovak-American who wants the world to witness the quality of Slovak wines
- France and Slovakia: Believing, loving, and working together
- Last Week: As disease spreads, Fico no longer insists on a “different opinion”
- Trading McDonald’s for the front lines
- What abides: Giving a shit
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- 'Don’t be afraid to use cash, say Slovak entrepreneurs as transaction tax begins
- Štítnik resumes hand-crafting Christmas ornaments after 25 years
- Weekend: On your marks, get set... Running and marathon season beckons
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- From furniture to finance: businesses that shaped Slovakia’s market economy
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- News digest: Thousands march as Fico stands by “Russian-style” NGO bill Photo
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