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☆ Slovakia's prime minister no longer in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to survive a multiple-shot assassination attempt following surgery, according to the country's deputy prime minister. The Slovakian premier's condition has stabilized but remains serious, Reuters cited a hospital official as saying on Thursday. "The shooting of the prime minister is first and foremost an attack against an attack on a human being – but it's also an attack on democracy," she said in an officially translated video. Fico has served as prime minister of Slovakia for around 10 years across three mandates, heading the Smer (Direction) party.

Persons: Robert Fico, Tomas Taraba, Šutaj Eštok, Zuzana Caputova, it's, Fico Organizations: Slovakia's, EU, BBC, Reuters, CNBC, Slovakian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovakian, Sky News, Russia, RTVS Locations: Brussels, Slovakian, Slovak, Handlova, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Robert Fico: Slovakia’s prime minister out of ‘life-threatening situation’ following assassination attempt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, is out of danger after being shot five times and undergoing surgery, officials say, following an assassination attempt that rocked the central European country and sparked global condemnation. Footage from the scene showed the injured prime minister being bundled into a vehicle by his staff, before it speeds away with him inside. undefined — Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Unlike the president, whose role has limited scope, the prime minister holds rank as the decision-making head of government. Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018.

Persons: CNN —, Robert Fico, Fico, Tomáš Taraba, “, Zuzana Čaputová, Kenzo Tribouillard, Šutaj Eštok, ” Fico Organizations: CNN, EU, Getty, Ukraine, Kyiv, NATO, Reuters Locations: Handlova, Banská Bystrica, Brussels, AFP, Slovakia

☆ Fico assassination attempt exposes risks for politicians in a polarized Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Luke Mcgee | Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The horrific scenes in Slovakia following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico are a stark and brutal reminder of the dangers facing those who seek public office. Security personnel apprehend a suspected gunman after Slovakia's Prime Minister was shot in Handlova, Slovakia on May 15, 2024. President Zuzana Caputova appoints Robert Fico the new Slovakian prime minister at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 25 October 2023. In 2022, Giorgia Meloni became Italy’s prime minister after running on an anti-immigration, socially conservative ticket. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead in July 2022 as he gave a campaign speech.

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová, ”, George Soros, Čaputová, Fico’s, Zuzana Caputova, Jakub Gavlak, Giorgia Meloni, Covid lockdowns, Jo Cox, DANIEL LEAL, David Amess, Shinzo Abe, Fernando Villavicencio –, – Organizations: CNN, Slovakia's, Getty, Fico, Slovakian, Parliamentary, Parliament, Political, Hamas, British Labour, AFP, Conservative, ISIS, Japanese Locations: Slovakia, Russia, American, Europe, Ukraine, Gaza, Handlova, AFP, Bratislava, Netherlands, Israel, London, Britain

Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg and other European leaders are condemning the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: "Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family,” she said on X.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "The attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: “Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zuzana Caputova, Sergey Dolzhenko, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg, Robert Fico, Jens Stoltenberg, Ursula von der, “, Fico, ”, state's, Zelensky, Viktor Orban, ” Orban, Giorgia, Pedro Sanchez, ” Sanchez Organizations: Slovak, NATO, European, Slovakia’s, Spanish, Slovak Prime Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungarian, Spain

☆ Robert Fico: Slovakia’s PM in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was in a life-threatening condition in hospital Wednesday after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a European Council summit in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images/FILEFico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family.”And Hungarian Prime Minister Orban added: “I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Persons: CNN —, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová, “ I’m, Roberto Fico, ” Čaputová, upend, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Kenzo Tribouillard, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Ursula von der Leyen, Orban Organizations: CNN, CNN — Slovakia’s, Facebook, Ukraine, NATO, Kremlin, Hungary’s, European Union, Slovakia's, Getty Locations: Handlova, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Slovak, Ukraine, Brussels, AFP, Hungarian

☆ Slovakian PM Fico in ‘life-threatening’ condition after being shot; EU leaders decry 'brutal attack'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico attends a press conference during a Special European Council Meeting on April 18, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the continent. The 59-year-old has been transported by helicopter to hospital in the central Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica to receive treatment. A post on Fico's official Facebook page said the prime minister was "shot multiple times and is in a life-threatening state" after an "attempted assassination." Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová "strongly" condemned the "brutal and ruthless attack" in a Google-translated Facebook post, without supplying further details of the nature of the attack.

Persons: Slovakia Robert Fico, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová Organizations: NBC, Reuters, CNBC Locations: Slovakia, Brussels, Belgium, Slovakian, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Handlova

☆ Nokia sees stronger H2 after Q1 comparable profit grows less than expected
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia reported on Thursday a smaller rise than expected in first-quarter comparable operating profit as sales tumbled when operators reduced spending on 5G technology. Four analysts polled by LSEG had on average forecast a comparable profit of 663 million euros. "We remain confident in a stronger second half and achieving our full year outlook," he said in a statement. The company repeated an outlook announced in January for a comparable operating profit in 2024 of 2.3-2.9 billion euros. Nokia in January forecast a demand recovery in the second half of 2024.

Persons: LSEG, Pekka Lundmark Organizations: Nokia, Ericsson Locations: North America, India

☆ Why Hawaii is becoming a leader in U.S. EV adoption
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Michael Wayland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Alex Tai | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesU.S. consumers have been making the move to all-electric vehicles more slowly than many expected — but a growing leader in EV adoption is Hawaii. Power's "EV Adoption Score," which is weighted based on market, consumer preference and EV availability, among other conditions, with a score of 33.8. Hawaii also is the top state for EV adoption that hasn't agreed to the California Air Resources Board's Zero-Emission Vehicle program, according to J.D. (For reference, the "Hawaii Belt" around the Big Island, or Hawaii Island, is only about 260 miles.) Power reports the top-selling EVs in the state are the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3 and Ford F-150 Lightning.

Persons: Alex Tai, Elizabeth Krear, hasn't, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, Drury, –, I'm, Scott Sageman, Hawaii Aloha Kia Russell Wong, Wong, there's, That's Organizations: Tesla, Getty, EV, California Air Resources, Hawaii that's, AAA, Ford, Aloha Kia, Hawaii Aloha, Aloha, Kia, Gallup Locations: Honolulu , Hawaii, Hawaii, Power, California, Washington, J.D, ., Washington , Oregon, Colorado, Waikiki, U.S, Waipahu, EVs, Edmunds

☆ Kia recalls over 427,000 Telluride SUVs because they might roll away while parked
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Kia is recalling more than 427,000 of its Telluride SUVs due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while they're parked. Kia America decided to recall all 2020-2023 model year and select 2024 model year Tellurides earlier this month, NHTSA documents show. Kia America estimates that 1% have the defect. To remedy this issue, recall documents say, dealers will update the affected cars' electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts for free. The Associated Press reached out to Irvine, California-based Kia America for further comment Sunday.

Persons: Kia Organizations: Kia, Telluride, National, Traffic Safety Administration, Kia America, NHTSA, Associated Press Locations: Irvine , California

SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Marta Bassino edged out Federica Brignone for an Italian one-two finish in a tight opening run of a women’s World Cup giant slalom Saturday. Mikaela Shiffrin sits out this weekend’s races to nurse a left knee injury and the American star could lose her lead in the overall World Cup standings to Lara Gut-Behrami. The Swiss skier won the previous GS and trails Shiffrin by 95 points. In Saturday's race, Bassino showed glimpses of her best as the Italian skier looked for her first podium result of the season. She won the World Cup title in the discipline in 2021 but has won just one World Cup race over the last three years.

Persons: — Marta Bassino, Bassino, Alice Robinson, Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, Mikaela Shiffrin, Lara, Shiffrin, Petra Vlhova, Canada's Valerie Grenier, ” Organizations: Swiss, Cortina d’Ampezzo Locations: SOLDEU, Andorra, Italy, France

☆ Opinion: The biggest Super Bowl ad winners — and losers — over the past 20 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Opinion Tim Calkins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

These were all among the notable Super Bowl ads of the past 20 years. These are some of the very best Super Bowl ads over the past 20 years. Google, ‘Parisian Love’Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 included Google’s first-ever Super Bowl spot. Amazon, ‘Alexa Loses Her Voice’Amazon has been one of the most successful of all Super Bowl advertisers, at least according to the Kellogg Super Bowl Ad Review panel. But we are incredible, and we make incredible things.”Kia's 2019 Super Bowl ad helped launch its new SUV, the Telluride.

Persons: Tim Calkins, Andy Warhol, Kellogg, Google’s, Alexa, Gordon Ramsay, Cardi, Anthony Hopkins, Alexa —, Kia, ”, Bar Refaeli, GoDaddy, Burger, Andy ’, Burger King, Warhol, HomeAway, Groupon, Timothy Hutton, “ Organizations: Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Marketing, CNN, Amazon Alexa, Tim Calkins Kellogg School of Management, Google, Kellogg, Trade, Bowl, Super Bowl, Amazon, Amazon's, Alexa, Mobile, Verizon, Telluride, Nationwide, Companies, Brands, Super Locations: United States, Georgia, Telluride, US, Tibet

The Espoo, Finland-based company reported net profit of 568 million euros ($619 million) for the October-to-December quarter, down from 929 million euros in the same period a year earlier. Nokia is one of the world’s main suppliers of 5G, the latest generation of broadband technology, along with Sweden’s Ericsson, China’s Huawei and South Korea’s Samsung. Nokia's net income attributable to shareholders came in at 558 million euros in the fourth quarter, down from 931 million euros the previous year. Nokia’s sales also fell 23%, to 5.7 billion euros from 7.5 billion euros. “Looking ahead, we expect the challenging environment of 2023 to continue during the first half of 2024, particularly in the first quarter,” he said.

Persons: China’s, Pekka Lundmark, ” Organizations: HELSINKI, Nokia, 5G, Sweden’s Ericsson, China’s Huawei, South, Samsung, eBay Locations: Espoo, Finland

☆ Slovak Lawmakers to Fast-Track Criminal Law Reforms Debate Despite Objections
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Slovakia's parliament will fast-track debate on government plans to scrap a special prosecutor's office fighting corruption and lower sentences for financial crimes after ruling lawmakers approved the move on Thursday despite objections. Opposition parties had delayed the vote on whether to fast-track the criminal law reforms for weeks, looking to slow Prime Minister Robert Fico's changes that they argue will afford impunity for politicians and business leaders linked to him. Pushing the reforms on a faster track has also raised warnings from the European Union and United States. Opposition parties have led near weekly protests drawing tens of thousands, with another string of rallies planned for Thursday evening. Slovakia's special prosecutor's office, around for two decades, has been in Fico's sights since he won a September election and returned to power.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Caputova, Jason Hovet, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters, European Union, European Commission, Brussels, USP Locations: United States, Hungary, Poland, Prague

☆ Nokia to begin $653 million share buyback program after profit slump and warning of challenging 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nokia on Thursday said that it will begin a two-year 600 million euro ($653 million) share buyback this quarter, after reporting that its profit plunged in 2023. Comparable operating profit fell 27% year-on-year to 846 million. The company forecast comparable operating profit will reach between 2.3 billion euros and 2.9 billion euros in 2024. India, which has been investing heavily in its next-generation mobile networks over the past couple of years, is beginning to slow down. Mobile networks, Nokia's biggest division by revenue, saw sales fall 17% year-on-year to 2.5 billion euros in the fourth quarter.

Persons: Pekka Lundmark, Lundmark Organizations: Nokia, Mobile, Mobile Networks, AT, Ericsson, U.S . AT Locations: India

☆ Slovak Parliament Chief Confirms Presidential Bid, Facing Ex-Foreign Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Jason Hovet(Reuters) - Slovak parliament chief Peter Pellegrini, leader of the second-biggest party in the government coalition, confirmed on Friday that he would run in a March presidential election. Pellegrini, a prime minister in 2018-2020 and former member of Fico's SMER party, has seen a shrinking poll lead against his closest contender - Ivan Korcok, who was foreign minister in a previous government led by opposition forces. A second round in the likely case that no candidate wins an outright majority is on April 6. Pellegrini leads Korcok 40.6% to 37.7% in an AKO agency poll released on Thursday. Pellegrini led the government until anti-corruption parties won a 2020 election.

Persons: Jason Hovet, Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico, Pellegrini, Fico's, Ivan Korcok, Zuzana Caputova, Korcok, Fico, Hugh Lawson Organizations: European Union Locations: Korcok, AKO, Prague

☆ EU Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Slovakia's Criminal Law Reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - European Union lawmakers said on Wednesday they had "deep concern" over Slovakia's planned criminal code changes and shutting a special prosecutor's office, piling on criticism of the government's plan to fast-track the changes. The European Parliament, in a resolution approved by 496 of the 630 lawmakers who voted, said the changes needed more scrutiny and called on the European Commission to take action "to safeguard the rule of law and judicial independence". Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has threatened to veto the legislation, although Fico's government will be able to override her move. According to Slovak media, 40 people have been sentenced while another 130 are being investigated or tried. The EU's justice commissioner Didier Reynders said in mid-December the Commission could take action against Slovakia if it enacts criminal law changes that violate EU laws.

Persons: Robert Fico's, Zuzana Caputova, Didier Reynders, Jan Kuciak, Fico, Daniel Lipsic, Jason Hovet, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Union, European Commission, European Union, The, USP Locations: Western, Poland, Hungary, United States, EU, Slovak, Slovakia, Prague

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Apple, Nio, CVS Health, GitLab and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Nio — The Chinese automaker climbed about 3% after reporting a smaller-than-expected loss in the third quarter. Nio has taken steps to bring down costs recently, including a 10% cut to its workforce last month. CVS Health — Shares gained 4% after CVS said it would overhaul the way it prices prescription drugs . GitLab — The software company's shares jumped more than 12% a day after the company reported better-than-expected results for the fiscal third quarter.

Persons: Nio, GitLab, Adecoagro, Albemarle —, Piper Sandler, —, Samantha Subin, Hakyung Kim, Sarah Min, Alex Harring, Pia Singh, Michelle Fox Organizations: Apple, Bank of America, CVS, FactSet, UBS —, UBS, Suisse, Nokia, Ericsson —, Ericsson's, Ericsson, Albemarle Locations: China, U.S, Monday's, Ericsson's U.S, Sweden, Finland

New networks by Dish (DISH.O) and Japan's Rakuten (4755.T) use Open RAN. "All of the new equipment that we are going to be putting out will be Open RAN capable," Chris Sambar, president of AT&T Network, told Reuters. Winning the Open RAN deal will make Ericsson the largest supplier to AT&T as it slowly takes over Nokia's share, the company said. AT&T will still have contracts which other Open RAN vendors outside this deal. AT&T expects fully integrated Open RAN sites operating in coordination with Ericsson and Fujitsu (6702.T), starting in 2024.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Japan's Rakuten, Chris Sambar, Sambar, You've, Supantha Mukherjee, Matthew Lewis Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights, Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Telefonica, Vodafone, RAN, AT, T Network, Reuters, Samsung, Verizon, U.S ., Fujitsu, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, ORAN, United States, Stockholm

☆ AT&T chooses Ericsson for new U.S telecom network, will drop Nokia
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

New networks by Dish and Japan's Rakuten use Open RAN. "All of the new equipment that we are going to be putting out will be Open RAN capable," Chris Sambar, president of AT&T Network, told Reuters. Winning the Open RAN deal will make Ericsson the largest supplier to AT&T as it slowly takes over Nokia's share, the company said. AT&T will still have contracts which other Open RAN vendors outside this deal. AT&T expects fully integrated Open RAN sites operating in coordination with Ericsson and Fujitsu, starting in 2024.

Persons: Chris Sambar, Sambar, You've Organizations: Ericsson, Mobile, Nokia, Huawei, Telefonica, Vodafone, Dish, RAN, AT, T Network, Reuters, Samsung, Verizon, U.S ., Fujitsu Locations: Barcelona, Spain, ORAN, United States, New York

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Eli Lilly, Salesforce, Snowflake, Snap, Pinterest and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Jefferies upgrades Pinterest and Snap to buy from hold Jefferies sees growth upside in 2024 for both stocks. " Wolfe upgrades Ally Financial to outperform from peer perform Wolfe said in its upgrade of the financial company that it's well-positioned. "In an environment where the probability of a mild recession or soft landing both appear plausible, we believe ALLY is well positioned to outperform in either scenario and upgrade shares to Outperform." "We continue to believe that Salesforce is on track to become the next quality [growth at a reasonable price] stock." Goldman Sachs reiterates Snowflake as buy Goldman Sachs stood by its buy rating on Snowflake after earnings on Wednesday.

Persons: Berenberg, Eli Lilly, Lilly, Wells, BTIG, Jefferies, Bernstein, Burger, Wolfe, TD Cowen downgrades Okta, Cowen, Stifel, Raymond James, Morgan Stanley, Bilibili, BILI, Baird, Pat Shanahan, Wells Fargo, Salesforce, Goldman Sachs, Snowflake, DUK Organizations: pharma, Nvidia, NVIDIA, Jefferies, SNAP, BK, UBS, Service Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Lattice Semiconductor, Apple, JPMorgan, Nokia, Infineon, Watch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Barclays, GE Healthcare, Airbus, Bank of America, Duke Energy, HSBC, Molson Coors Locations: FTCH, North America, China

☆ European countries tighten borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

These countries have reinstated stricter checks:* Austria introduced checks at its border with the Czech Republic in October, set to last until Dec. 6. * Denmark in August tightened border control for arrivals, including those from Schengen countries, at Copenhagen airport to boost security after incidents of Koran burnings. * Germany announced controls in September on its land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, set to stay in place until Dec. 4. * Sweden strengthened checks in August on its borders, giving border police more power including body searches and increased use of electronic surveillance. * France as of November reintroduced controls on its borders with Schengen members, citing what it called terrorism threats.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Forst, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

☆ Factbox-European Countries Tighten Borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Persons: Berlin, Matteo Piantedosi, Gerald Darmanin, Olivier Sorgho, Stéphanie, Milla Nissi, Frances Kerry Organizations: Reuters, European, Austria, EU, Kremlin Locations: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Copenhagen, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Berlin, East, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Belgian, Brussels, Africa, Croatia, Finland, Russia, Helsinki, Moscow, Gdansk

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The Slovak government signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday with Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Gotion High-Tech and its local partner, InoBat, to build a car battery plant in Slovakia. The two companies formed Gotion InoBat Batteries, a Chinese-Slovak venture to build the plant in the town of Surany, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Bratislava. German car giant Volkswagen is the largest shareholder in Gotion High-Tech with a 24.77% stake. Volkswagen has a car plant in Slovakia. Gotion High-Tech began production in its first European plant in Gottingen, Germany, in September.

Organizations: Tech, Volkswagen Locations: BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Surany, Bratislava, Gotion, Gottingen, Germany

☆ Slovak parliament confirms government promising to halt Ukraine military aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico attends the new cabinet's inauguration, at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 21 (Reuters) - Slovakia's parliament confirmed Prime Minister Robert Fico's government on Tuesday, backing a policy agenda that promises to halt state military aid to Ukraine, slowly reduce budget deficits and impose a new bank tax. Fico's governing coalition combines his leftist, socially conservative SMER-SSD party with a smaller leftist party and a small nationalist party. The coalition adopted its policy programme last week, and parliament supported it in a vote of confidence on Tuesday. The programme promises a special tax on banking profits and measures to cut interest rates on mortgages.

Persons: Slovakia's, Robert Fico, Radovan Stoklasa, Robert Fico's, Fico, Zuzana Caputova, Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka, Timothy Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Bratislava, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Slovakia's New PM Fico Stops Talking to Some Media Amid Rift
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stopped communication with four leading domestic news outlets on Monday after accusing them of failing to provide truthful information, widening a rift with some independent media groups. Fico became prime minister for a fourth time last month at the head of a leftist-nationalist coalition after an election in which he attacked liberal policies, Slovakia's Western allies and media that is critical of him and his SMER party. "As long as the cited media outlets do not begin to fulfil their legal obligations, Prime Minister R. Fico is interrupting any communication with them," the government office said in an emailed statement. While he had not barred journalists, halting communication contravened laws ensuring that media are kept informed by the authorities, he added. Pavol Szalai of Reporters Without Borders said Fico was subjecting Slovakia's democracy to a "crash test".

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, Jan Kuciak, Kuciak, R, Dennik, Matus Kostolny, Kostolny, Beata Balogova, Jason Hovet, Gareth Jones Organizations: Reuters, Slovak, TV, Facebook, Borders, Government

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