Latest news with #Slovakia
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Slovak state gas firm eyes full Russian supply
Slovakia's largest natural gas company is planning to turn to Russia for 100% of its supplies next year, Bloomberg has reported. Company officials cited cost benefits as EU countries face a ban on spot purchases of Russian energy, the outlet said. The EU aims to phase out Russian energy imports by the end of 2027 as part of its RePowerEU strategy. The plan includes a ban on new pipeline and LNG contracts with Moscow, as well as an end to imports under existing spot agreements. However, the scheme has faced pushback from Slovakia and Hungary. Both countries are expected to receive transitional exemptions, enabling them to continue to uphold long-term contracts with Gazprom. The ban, set to take effect in January, could free up additional pipeline capacity for Slovakia's Slovensky plynarensky priemysel (SPP) and Hungary's MVM Magyar Villamos Muvek, the outlet said on Monday. 'Russian gas is the most cost-effective for us, which is why we prioritize it,' Michal Lalik, SPP's trade director, told Bloomberg. 'We could be buying 100% of our needs, that's about 8 million cubic meters per day.' Last week, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Bratislava had accepted guarantees from the European Commission to limit the impact of a halt in Russian gas supplies. As a result, Bratislava lifted its veto on the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia has resisted the EU's push to sever energy ties with Russia, warning of severe economic consequences. Fico has condemned the bloc's plan as 'imbecilic,' saying it would undermine Slovakia's energy security and destabilize the wider EU. Slovakia, which still receives Russian gas via TurkStream under a long-term contract with Gazprom through 2034, warns that losing access to cheaper supplies would harm its competitiveness. Without Turkstream, Slovakia would be forced to rely on western supply routes – mainly via Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic – leading to higher transit costs. 'Price disparities within the supposedly unified European energy market will distort competition and severely weaken the position of Slovak companies,' said Roman Karlubik, vice president of the Federation of Employers' Associations.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Slovakia Looks to Tap More Russian Gas Under EU Exemption
Slovakia's state-owned energy supplier Slovensky plynarensky priemysel aims to get as much as 100% of its gas needs from Russia next year, when other European Union buyers face a ban on spot purchases and may free up more capacity for Gazprom PJSC 's remaining long-term customers. The ban, set to take effect in January, could leave more pipeline space for Slovakia's SPP and Hungary's MVM. While all EU countries aim to phase out Russian energy imports by the end of 2027, those two would be exempt during a transitional period, allowing them to uphold long-term contracts with Gazprom.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
😂 This Modrić comes cheaper: Beşiktaş fans spot his double
In their summer preparations, big clubs like Besiktas Istanbul sometimes also play against lesser-known teams. In their recent test match against FC Petrzalka, the Eagles' fans still discovered a "familiar" face. The captain of the Slovak opponent, Lukas Gasparovic, bears a certain resemblance to midfield maestro Luka Modric. The Beşiktaş fans loudly pointed this out to him. Gasparovic took it visibly with humor. He had every reason to laugh: his team won the test match against Beşiktaş 2-1. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 SERGEI GAPON - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Red Wings Draft Pick Michal Svrcek Announces Where He's Playing Next Season
The 2025 NHL Draft wrapped up in late June, and among the players selected by Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was Slovakian forward Michal Svrcek in the fourth round (119th overall).
Times
4 days ago
- Times
Win a seven-night full-board Danube river cruise for two with Riviera Travel worth £5,400
There's nothing quite like a European river cruise. You board, unpack once and then get to wake up in a new town or city every day, stepping off the ship to find grand architecture, immersive museums, and pretty old towns before coming back to enjoy the comforts of your floating hotel. As part of this prize, you'll join Riviera Travel's seven-night Blue Danube river cruise on a full-board basis, spending time in six countries with views of vineyard-cloaked valleys, castle-dotted riverbanks, imperial cities and more along the way. The ship sails from Budapest — known for its thermal spas and quirky ruin bars — upriver to Vienna with its imperial palaces and concert halls, before returning to its starting point. Along the way, you'll stop in Esztergom in Hungary (make sure to admire the renowned basilica); Slovakia's Bratislava with its charming medieval and gothic old town; Dürnstein in Austria (with a visit included to Benedictine Melk Abbey, just half an hour away); and picturesque Salzburg or Linz. A classical quartet recital on board with views of Vienna is the perfect way to end the trip. You can explore on your own, or join any of the nine guided excursions included in the prize. As for accommodation, you'll stay in one of the middle deck cabins with a French balcony, which gives you plenty of opportunities to watch the landscape drift by as you sail. Also included are return flights from UK regional airports and transfers from Budapest airport. There are no blackout dates, but you must book your journey within ten months of the draw, and travel within 12 months. For more information, click here. For your chance to win, simply vote in each category in this year's Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. There are 17 categories in total. Click here to vote. For the full list of prizes, see closes at 23.59pm on August 31, 2025. Open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older, excluding employees and agents of the Promoter and its group companies, or third parties directly connected with the operation or fulfilment of the Promotion and their affiliates, and their immediate families and household members. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Prize includes transfers from destination to the cruise. Prize excludes UK transfers. Winner and guest responsible for getting to and from UK airport at their own expense. Prize also includes drinks package, wi-fi, tea and coffee onboard, port charges and nine excursions. Subject to availability, Prize must be booked in advance within ten months. Select from departure dates in September 2025, or April to October 2026 only. Winner and his/her guest(s) must travel on same itinerary. All parts of Prize must be used in conjunction with same booking. Winner and his/her guest(s) are solely responsible for ensuring they are available to travel and have valid travel documentation (including passport/visa/visa waiver as may be required), obtaining adequate travel insurance and appropriate vaccinations/inoculations for foreign travel at their own expense. Travel insurance, food and drink (outside what is previously declared in the board basis), spending money and all incidental expenses are the responsibility of the Winner. Prize is subject to Riviera Travel standard booking conditions. Preferred date of travel must be confirmed ten weeks prior to departure. The contact details provided may be used for marketing purposes by Riviera Travel and will not be shared with any third parties, except where disclosure is required by law. For privacy policy (including compliance), please go to Your information will be used to administer this Promotion and otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy at and those of the partners. Promoter is Times Media Ltd. Full T&Cs apply — see
