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Figel: Austerity Measures Need to Be Done Within First Year of Mandate

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - The majority of unpopular measures to consolidate public finances needs to be done already in the first year of Prime Minister Iveta Radicova's Government, Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) Chairman Jan Figel said after the party session on Monday. "It's necessary because the Slovak financial situation is already untenable. The later we… read more

Analysts: Unstable Demand on Market Won\'t Allow Raise in Prices

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - It's not likely that the widely-expected rise in value-added tax (VAT) will force consumer prices go up, according to analysts interviewed by TASR on Monday. "Currently, consumers are exceptionally hesitant and sensitive about prices. If the prices go up due to a small rise in VAT, then consumers may prefer to shop around," Volksbank Slovakia… read more

Buzek Expresses Shock and Sorrow over Shooting Rampage

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek on Monday issued a statement in which he expressed his utmost sorrow and shock over the shooting rampage in Bratislava that left eight people dead (including the gunman), press secretary of the Parliament's Information Office in Bratislava Ivana Janikova-Stavrovska told TASR on Monday. "On behalf… read more

Ryanair to Operate 14 Routes in Winter Season

Bratislava/Dublin, August 30 (TASR) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair will operate 14 routes out of Bratislava's Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport (BTS) during the upcoming winter season. The winter timetable will be in place from November 2010 to March 2011. Flights to Alicante and Stockholm will be maintained, while the number of flights to Brussels and Dublin will be… read more

Spisiak: Gunman Kills Six People and Himself When Cornered by Police

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - An approximately 50-year-old gunman killed six people and wounded at least nine before shooting himself after being cornered by the police, Slovak Interior Minister Daniel Lipsic and Police Corps President Jaroslav Spisiak told TASR at a press conference near the crime scene in Bratislava borough of Devinska Nova Ves on Monday. The gunman,… read more

Death Toll in Bratislava Shootings Rises to Seven

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - The shooting incident that took place in the Bratislava borough of Devinska Nova Ves on Monday morning has claimed the lives of at least seven people, with 14 injured, Dominika Sulkova from the Emergency Medical Service has told TASR. Four women and three men, apparently including the gunman himself, were shot dead. Ambulances took 12 of… read more

President Expresses Condolences Following Shooting in Bratislava

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - President Ivan Gasparovic on Monday expressed his condolences to the bereaved after the fatal shootings that took place in Bratislava earlier on the same day, TASR was told by Gasparovic's spokesman Marek Trubac. Gasparovic hopes that the death toll, now reported as seven, won't rise any further. According to Trubac, the president is following… read more

Analysts Increase Estimate for 2010 GDP Growth to 4 percent

Bratislava, August 29 (TASR) - Bank analysts who are regularly approached by Slovakia's central bank (NBS) for predictions have increased their estimates for the country's GDP growth in 2010 to 4 percent year-on-year in fixed prices, TASR learnt on Sunday. The latest assessment represents a 0.9-percentage point increase on the figure expected in July. The analysts… read more

ZMOS Welcomes Government\'s Attitude Towards Preventing Floods

Bratislava, August 29 (TASR) - The results of Friday's Government session in Kosice provide hope that the issue of flooding will be among the Government's priorities in the long term, Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) chairman Michal Sykora has told TASR. Sykora said that his optimism isn't only due to statements made by Government representatives but also… read more

Lukac: I Don\'t Admire Mafia, It Was Joke

Bratislava, August 29 (TASR) - Opposition Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Vincent Lukac on Sunday after several days of public uproar commented on his statement earlier this week that he values Mafiosos and they value him, claiming that he was only joking at the time. "I'm wondering, even I'm shocked that statements that were meant as a joke and were said in an ironic… read more

Radicova: SNP Is Reminder of Values Worth Dying for

Banska Bystrica, August 29 (TASR) - The national commemorative event marking the 66th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in Banska Bystrica on Sunday was attended by President Ivan Gasparovic and Prime Minister Iveta Radicova. After addressing the event, Gasparovic spoke to the media. "The SNP is one of the significant features of Slovakia's modern history.… read more

SNS: Lukac Will Apply for NBU Clearance to Clear His Name

Bratislava, August 28 (TASR) - Opposition Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Vincent Lukac will apply for National Security Bureau's (NBU) clearance to dispel allegations of his connection to the organised crime, even though MPs aren't obliged to undergo such tests, Dusan Strauss from the SNS press department told TASR on Saturday. SNS was reacting to an appeal issued by… read more

Radicova: Lukac Should Resign Over His Positive Comments on Mafia

Bratislava, August 28 (TASR) - Opposition Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Vincent Lukac should resign from the post of MP over his self-confessed contacts with the underworld, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) stated on Saturday. "I view his publicly confessed admiration for and even contacts with people whose activities may be related to the organised crime as incompatible… read more

Eurobarometer: 62 percent of Slovaks Say Economic Reforms Necessary

Bratislava, August 28 (TASR) - Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of Slovaks think that the country must introduce economic reforms in order to tackle current economic problems, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. Meanwhile, the European average stands at 74 percent. At the same time, 65 percent of the approached in Slovakia said that they trust the EU institutions.… read more

Government: Tipos to Pay Out €40 million for Flood Relief

Kosice, August 27 (TASR) - The national betting and lottery company Tipos will pay out an extraordinary payment of €40 million as relief for people affected by the floods this year, the Government decided on Friday. This is according to the proposed amendments to the Gaming Act and the Income Tax Act. Both drafts will be submitted to the Parliament for discussion in… read more