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Three People Killed in Train Crash in Spisska Nova Ves

Spisska Nova Ves, April 1 (TASR) - At least three people were killed and ten were injured, one seriously, in a train crash at the railway station in Spisska Nova Ves (Kosice region) at noon on Thursday. According to a dispatcher of the Fire and Rescue Corps, which is currently at work at the scene, the accident took place when an electric train crashed into a stationary… read more

Fico Vows to Crack Down Harder on Corruption and Clientelism

Bratislava, April 1 (TASR) - Corruption and clientelism are a serious problem with a long tradition and deep roots in Slovakia, but there's no point in comparing the rate of occurrence under various governments, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said at a meeting with representatives of the French-Slovak Chamber of Commerce in Bratislava on Thursday. According to the… read more

Budget Deficit Increased to Nearly €1 billion to End of March

Bratislava, April 1 (TASR) - The state-budget deficit rose from €780 million in February to €983 million in March, the Finance Ministry announced on Thursday. In March 2009, the budget recorded a deficit of €205 million. A record-breaking deficit of €3.746 billion is projected for the whole of 2010. State revenues to the end of March 2010 stood at €2.511… read more

Slovak Police Arrest Senior Member of International Criminal Gang

Bratislava, April 1 (TASR) - A special police squad arrested a senior member of an international criminal organisation called 'Thieves in Law' (in Russian 'Vory v zakone') near the village of Hronska Dubrava (Banska Bystrica region) on Monday, Police Presidium spokesperson Andrea Polacikova told TASR on Thursday. Thieves in Law emerged in countries of the former Soviet… read more

Fate of Broad-Gauge Railroad Track to Be Decided by September

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - The contract between the German consulting company Roland Berger and the individual states across which the broad-gauge railroad track might pass is due to be signed on April 6 in Bratislava, Slovak Transport Minister Lubomir Vazny said after the Government session on Wednesday. By signing the contract, the German company will commit itself… read more

Carnogursky: Slovakia Could Be Beachhead for Russians to Enter EU

Bratislava/Moscow, March 31 (TASR) - Slovak-Russian relations have improved in recent years, Slovak Parliament Vice-Chair Anna Belousovova said on Wednesday at the first video-link discussion between Bratislava and Moscow, organised by the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti in co-operation with the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR). The video-link discussion was… read more

Fico Hopeful Bratislava Castle\'s Reconstruction Will Continue

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - The Government, which will be created following the general election due in June, should carry on supporting the ongoing reconstruction of Bratislava Castle, notwithstanding the financially-demanding nature of the venture, Prime Minister Robert Fico said after an on-site inspection on Wednesday. "It wouldn't be right to put a large rusty… read more

Kalinak: Admission of Guantanamo Detainees Not Sole in Our History

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - Slovakia's history is likely to include more cases akin to the country's recent acceptance of three former detainees from the U.S. detainment facility Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak indicated on Wednesday. "More than 1,700 people have been relocated to Slovakia in the past three years," said Kalinak. "We've… read more

HZDS Set Against Progressive Taxation, Saying It\'s No Good Way to Go

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - Co-ruling LS-HZDS rejects the idea of progressive taxation, a plan that Prime Minister Robert Fico dropped a hint upon a couple of days ago. Instead, if they make it to the next government the party wants to pursue policies aimed at lowering the delivery burden in Slovakia, according to HZDS vice-chairman Jozef Habanik. "The heavy burden… read more

Slovakia Paid All of Its Membership Fees in International Organisations

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - Slovakia ranks among best-disciplined countries in terms of paying fees for its memberships in international organisations. This is according to a report examined by the Government on Wednesday. To date, Slovakia has joined more than 90 international organisations, programmes, funds, conventions and conferences, and has paid €25.7 million… read more

General Prosecution Won\'t Take Action in Land Transfer Case

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - The Prosecutor General's Office won't pursue legal action in the land transfer in Velka Lomnica and Stara Lesna (both Presov region), as all contracts were signed in accordance with the law, Prosecutor General Dobroslav Trnka said after the Government's session on Wednesday. In December 2009, however, Trnka didn't rule out that the scandalous… read more

Sony Slovakia Gets New Majority Owner from Taiwan

Bratislava/Nitra, March 31 (TASR) - The Nitra plant of the Japanese concern Sony has a new majority owner as of Wednesday. Hon Hai Precision Industry (commercially acting under the name Foxconn) is buying a 90-percent stake in Sony Slovakia, while the remaining 10 percent remains in the hands of Sony Group, TASR was told by Darius Bosjak from the Economy Ministry. Financial… read more

Special Prosecutors to Interview Meciar

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - Co-ruling LS-HZDS party chief Vladimir Meciar will give evidence to special prosecutors concerning his statements last week that Construction and Regional Development Ministry officials go up and down Slovakia collecting personal payments of 15-30 percent from the recipients of subsidies, Prosecutor-General Dobroslav Trnka confirmed on Wednesday.… read more

Government: Agreement on First PPP Package Already Finalised

Bratislava, March 31 (TASR) - The Government on Wednesday approved the signing of the fourth addendum to the concession contract involving the first package of public-private partnership (PPP) projects aimed at constructing several sections of the D1 motorway, which was agreed between the Transport Ministry and a company called Slovenske Dialnice (Slovak Motorways). The… read more

Smurfit Kappa in Sturovo Ends Production of Corrugated Cardboard

Sturovo, March 31 (TASR) - Paper-processing company Smurfit Kappa in Sturovo (Nitra region) on Wednesday completely shut down its production of corrugated cardboard, with as many as 298 people losing their jobs as a result. "The employees will be leaving gradually, until June. Most of them are leaving as of tomorrow, however. Originally, the company announced that it… read more