Latest news with #Czech-Slovak
Euronews
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Meet the pop star singing to bring Eurovision back to Slovakia
'My song is about deciding to act on things that you can actually influence. I am singing about standing up for myself and walking away from toxic situations or anything that makes me stagnate in life. I am saying goodbye to all of it,' Adonxs says in between rehearsals in Basel for Thursday's Eurovision semi-final. Slovak-born Adam Pavlovčin, performing under the artist name Adonxs, is draped in a glittering white cape and his eyeliner is shimmering. Representing Czechia with his hit 'Kiss Kiss Goodbye,' he has only one focus: 'I just want to qualify honestly. That is the goal. I am not even thinking past that point.' Adonxs' musical career took off in 2021 after he was victorious in the Czech-Slovak show 'SuperStar', becoming the first openly queer winner. A couple of years ago, Adonxs said kiss kiss goodbye to his home country Slovakia and is now based in Prague – a city he calls home. 'Our music markets truly work like one, so it comes very natural to compete for Czechia.' Representing Slovakia was however never an option as the country left the contest in 2012. Adonxs thinks the reason is political: 'This is purely because there is no interest from the government's side. I know a lot of people that would love Eurovision to come back to Slovakia.' Under Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, Slovakia's attitude toward culture and arts has shifted. 'We all remember the LGBTQ+ free zones in Poland. Slovakia is now experiencing a similar situation, particularly when it comes to art,' Adonxs explains. The Slovak government has proposed multiple anti-LGBTQ bills in recent years. As an outspoken queer artist and activist, Adonxs believes the country is moving in the wrong direction. 'I do not think Slovakia is in very good hands right now,' he says. 'Funding for liberal and queer culture has been cut. It is horrible. I think it comes from pure unhappiness. A happy person would not try to suppress someone else's creativity. I actually feel sorry for them.' A person that has been central to this shift is Martina Šimkovičová, the culture minister from the far-right Slovak National Party. She has faced criticism for cracking down on public institutions that are not aligning with the government's views. 'Šimkovičová must be very frustrated – I mean, she is afraid of art while being in charge of it,' Adonxs says.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Pre-war EU-Ukraine trade deal may temporarily return when tariff suspension expires
FILE PHOTO: Farmers hold signs and flags at a protest against cheap non-EU imports, the trade agreement between the South American countries of Mercosur, and duty-free imports from Ukraine, at the Czech-Slovak border near the town of Holic, Slovakia, February 27, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The EU is weighing a temporary return to its pre-war trade agreement with Ukraine if a renegotiated deal is not ready to take effect when war-related tariff suspensions expire on June 5, EU diplomats said on Wednesday. The Commission proposed this transitional period would last seven months or until a new deal can come into effect. The EU temporarily waived duties and quotas on agriculture products in June 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion to help Ukraine compensate for the higher costs of its exports via the EU, after Russia threatened its traditional Black Sea shipping lanes. "That regulation, suspending all tariff-rate June 5, 2025, following which trade between the Union and Ukraine reverts to the rules established under the Association Agreement," the proposal showed, referring to a 2014 agreement. "Taking into account the tariff rate quotas under the Association Agreement are established for a full calendar tariff rate quotas will be pro-rated on a proportional basis for the remainder of the calendar year." Ukraine's finance minister said on Wednesday he was in talks with the EU to renew the emergency measures but the Commission said no extension was planned. "The Commission is not planning to propose an extension of the ATMs (tariff suspension)... because we are currently working on the review of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Trade Area," the spokesperson said. "In this review process, our priority will be the gradual compliance of Ukraine with EU production standards, and a safeguard clause that could be triggered to prevent any disturbance to the EU and Ukrainian markets." EU farmers have repeatedly protested against a sudden influx of cheaper products from Ukraine and the Commission introduced "emergency brakes" on imports of poultry, sugar, oats, maize, groats, and honey if these exceed the yearly average in 2021-2023. The Commission has been eyeing a sharp cut to Ukrainian sugar imports amid complaints that large shipments have fuelled a collapse in prices. The EU is Ukraine's largest trade partner and Ukraine is the third-largest supplier of agri-food products to the EU, according to EU data. (Reporting by Julia Payne and Philip Blenkinsop; Additional reporting by Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Euronews
12-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Czech Republic maintains border checks as Slovakia tackles foot-and-mouth disease
ADVERTISEMENT Truck checks at the Czech-Slovak border have continued for a third week as fears of foot-and-mouth disease spreading throughout the country continue. Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný said the restrictions could be lifted 30 days after culling the last farm animal infected with foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia. "The most significant risk is due to transmission through contaminated human objects," said Jiri Cerny, an associate professor at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. "That means on tires and cars, on the soles of shoes, through contaminated food." Slovakia declared a state of emergency at the end of March to rid the country of foot-and-mouth disease after three cases were discovered in separate farms. On Monday, the Slovakian government said it had also reintroduced temporary border checks with Hungary and Austria in response to the escalating outbreak. A truck drives through a shower of disinfectant to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from Slovakia into the Czech Republic, 11 April, 2025 AP Photo The measure, which came into effect on Tuesday, will remain in place until 8 May, according to Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok. "Although the presence of foot-and-mouth disease has not been confirmed in Austria, the measure is necessary due to the proximity of outbreak areas," he said. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease of livestock, mainly affects cattle but can also infect swine, sheep and goats. The virus is preserved in saliva, urine, faeces and milk. It is transmitted by contact with sick animals, through the air, and on the surfaces of people, tools or vehicles. But the risk of transmission to humans is very low to negligible.
