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Slovakia mourns the victims of the massacre

TASR
Feature Photo Slovakia mourns the victims of the August 30 massacre in Devínska Nová Ves. The Slovak government declared Thursday, September 1, a day of mourning, and state institutions, public bodies and regional administration offices have been flying flags at half mast. On Monday, August 30, 48-year old Ľubomír Harman from Devínska Nová Ves shot dead seven people including five members of one family before killing himself. The motive for the shootings remains unclear. The police have not confirmed suggestions, prompted by the fact that most of his victims were Roma, that Harman was driven partly by racism, but have instead suggested that a neighbourhood dispute may have lain behind the killings. 2 Sep 2010 More Feature Photos
Another wall separates Roma from non-Roma in eastern Slovakia THE WALL that now separates the mainly Roma inhabitants of a settlement next to the village of Ostrovany, near Šarišské Michaľany in eastern Slovakia, has evoked intense debate since it was built last year. But some are now suggesting that it could serve as a model for other parts of Slovakia, where similar walls may be erected to serve the same purpose: to separate the Roma from the non-Roma population. 30 Aug 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Politics & Society
Sme - Vladimír Šimíček
Shooting massacre shakes Slovakia A NORMALLY quiet suburb of Bratislava turned into the site of a shooting rampage on August 30 the like of which Slovakia has never experienced before. A 48-year-old resident of Devínska Nová Ves, described by his neighbours as taciturn and solitary, shot dead seven people, including six members of a family, which included Roma and non-Roma members, before killing himself. The Slovak government declared a national day of mourning for September 2, with state flags flown at half-mast between 8:00 and 18:00. 1 Sep 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Politics & Society
SITA
Slovak GDP spikes in second quarter Analysts are positively surprised and partly credit a strong German economic recovery SLOVAKS have grown tired of hearing bleak numbers and gloomy prospects about their country’s economic performance so there was a pleasant surprise for citizens and market watchers in the second quarter of this year as Slovakia’s economy posted the best GDP growth among all countries in the European Union. 23 Aug 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Business
Sme - Tomáš Benedikovič
Tax proposals spur coalition disharmony FINANCE Minister Ivan Mikloš and Labour Minister Jozef Mihál said they had a plan to remove what they called “unsubstantiated exemptions and other deformations” in the country’s income tax and payroll tax system. Mikloš of the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) and Mihál from Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party argued that their proposed changes would bring more money into state coffers and that the level of the current budget deficit dictates an urgent need to close any loopholes that allow untaxed income to escape. But neither business leaders, nor even other political partners in the ruling coalition, seem to fully share the enthusiasm or the optimism expressed by these two government ministers. 30 Aug 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Business
TASR
Countrywide Events Music, Theater, Exhibition... Western SLOVAKIABratislava CONCERT: The Czech band Čechomor, which is also very popular in Slovakia, plays old folk or traditional pieces in modern arrangements, as well as composing its own songs. It has launched the Viamont DSP Train Tour 2010 within which it is playing at train stations in several Czech and Slovak towns and cities. On September 1, at 17:00, it will play at Bratislava’s disused Filiálka railway station (near Trnavské mýto). Tickets, at €8 each, can be obtained through www.ticketportal.sk. 30 Aug 2010 Zuzana Vilikovská The Slovak Spectator More from Culture & Society
Slovakia in 42 days: Travel in the Nitra Region A TV programme in English covering the travels of American journalist and photographer Amanda Rivkin (video included) Corgoň in Nitra has a new manicure, the remains from the Russian invasion in Komárno would be better mothballed, and Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and the Albanian Queen Geraldine were neighbours during summers from time to time, as Oponice and Topoľčianky are only about 20 kilometres from each other across the hill. Worth seeing! 2 Sep 2010 The Slovak Spectator More from Regional News
Courtesy of Advantage Austria
Encouraging Austrian companies to eye Slovakia AUSTRIA and Slovakia have not escaped the impacts of the global economic slow-down, but Patrick Sagmeister, the Austrian Commercial Counsellor in Bratislava, regards the downturn as having provided a stimulus for Austrian companies to take more interest in Slovakia. He thinks that is the high quality on offer which prompts many Austrian firms to come to Slovakia. 23 Aug 2010 Jana Liptáková The Slovak Spectator More from Foreigners in Slovakia
State contracts to go online Transparency groups hail ‘huge progress’ TRANSPARENCY isn’t just a word – that has been the message from the new government ever since Prime Minister Iveta Radičová took over. Now her cabinet is trying to prove it and has promised to publish all deals that involve state money. Moreover, such contracts will not become valid until they are posted online, allowing the public to examine the numbers and conditions. Political ethics watchdogs suggest that the new procurement transparency rules might mark the twilight of the dubious deals that were cooked up by ministers and state officials of all types over the past couple of years or more. However, the largest opposition party, Smer – which was in government until June this year – has expressed scepticism about the new rules. 23 Aug 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Politics & Society
An era of transparency dawns, but is it too good to be true? EDITORIAL TRANSPARENCY is not a natural instinct for many politicians. Most do not feel any natural inclination to share with the world bits of information on what bills they have paid or what offerings they have received for what should have been a public service – but wasn’t. 23 Aug 2010 Beata Balogová The Slovak Spectator More from Opinion
SITA
Countrywide Events Music, Theater, Exhibition... Western SLOVAKIA 23 Aug 2010 Zuzana Vilikovská The Slovak Spectator More from Culture & Society
Courtesy of Divé Maky
Roma Feast at Červený Kameň for Wild Poppies Event marks the culmination of artistic programme for young Roma DIVÉ MAKY, or Wild Poppies, a project which seeks out and nurtures talented Roma children culminated on Saturday, August 14, with a Cigánsky Bašavel, or Gipsy Feast, at Červený Kameň Castle not far from Bratislava. The Divé Maky project includes a year-round system of tutors who oversee participants’ school results, training and lessons, but also involves intensive workshops several times a year. 23 Aug 2010 Zuzana Vilikovská The Slovak Spectator More from Culture & Society
Bežní ľudia Slovak word of the week “I WANT to live like common people, I want to do whatever common people do,” sang Jarvis Cocker of the British group Pulp in the 90s. Years later, Slovak politicians are catching on. And common people are all you hear about. 23 Aug 2010 Lukáš Fila The Slovak Spectator More from Opinion
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  1. Bratislava shooting spree leaves eight dead and 15 injured - updated
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  8. Kravata
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Quote of the Week
“Almost 57 percent of our election programme is in the government programme – that’s an exact number.”

Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer, a Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) nominee, responds to opposition claims that SaS has failed to push forward its key proposals.