Latest news with #Slovakian
Al-Ahram Weekly
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Slovakia FM thanks Egypt for evacuating its nationals amid regional conflict - Foreign Affairs
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár thanked Egypt during a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Thursday for facilitating the evacuation of Slovak nationals from Israel to Egyptian territory, ensuring their safe return home amid the ongoing regional escalation. During their call, the two top diplomats discussed the escalating regional tensions driven by the ongoing military confrontation between Israel and Iran. Minister Abdelatty warned of the danger that the Middle East could slide into chaos and stressed the need to de-escalate, halt hostilities, and contain the situation through political and diplomatic channels. Several governments have launched emergency operations to evacuate their nationals from Israel through Egypt and Jordan as Tel Aviv closed its airspace. On Wednesday, Poland and France urged their nationals to evacuate via Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh or Jordan as safe exit points from the region. On Monday, the Czech Republic expressed hope for Egypt's assistance in evacuating its nationals from Israel. The two top diplomats also exchanged views on the recent developments in the Gaza Strip. Minister Abdelatty highlighted to his Slovakian counterpart Cairo's intensive efforts to restore the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Also on Thursday, during a separate phone call, Minister Abdelatty held similar regional discussions on the Israel-Iran conflict and the Gaza war with his Slovenian counterpart, Tanja Fajon. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs plot move for Hunt's old forward target
Kaizer Chiefs have ramped up their hunt for a striker ahead of the new season, and have turned their attention back to a forgotten European target, Robert Polievka. The Slovakian attacker, who first caught Chiefs' attention under former coach Gavin Hunt, has re-emerged as a top option. The club originally scouted Polievka in 2020, but a FIFA transfer ban at the time blocked any possible move. A source revealed that the Soweto giants maintained their interest in the striker and tracked his development closely over the years. The current shift in transfer plans, especially with Fiston Mayele reportedly going to Saudi Arabia, has prompted Chiefs to consider Polievka again. 'This is not the first time Chiefs have inquired about Robert (Polievka). In 2020 when Gavin Hunt was the coach he was on that shopping list which included players like Thabo Nodada, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Njabulo Ngcobo and the late Luke Fleurs to mention but a few. But the team was under a FIFA transfer ban. Now they want him again because they believe it's becoming almost impossible to get their main target Fiston Mayele and others,' the source said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma . At 28, Polievka brings far more experience than when Chiefs first considered him at just 24. The striker's form in Europe has not gone unnoticed, and club scouts remain confident he could offer a solution to the club's well-documented scoring struggles. 'They have been following his progress and they believe he can help solve the goalscoring problems Chiefs are currently facing,' the source added. All eyes now turn to newly appointed head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who will assess Polievka's potential once the squad regroups for pre-season training this week. The final decision rests with him, and his verdict could shape Amakhosi's frontline heading into the new campaign. Will Polievka be a good fit at Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kyogo sets Rennes exit rules as Celtic see Strelec domino fall in striker search and Iheanacho door opened again
Brendan Rodgers is looking to add depth to his frontline this summer before the Champions League qualifying rounds Stade Rennes misfit Kyogo Furuhashi has revealed he will assess his future in pre-season after his ill-fated Celtic exit. The Scottish champions are set to bring in Fulham talent Callum Osmand this summer - and the 19-year-old looks set to be given the chance to stake a first-team claim this summer. He will aim to provide competition for Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda next term - who have been left to fill the void left by the January departure of Kyogo. The Japan international struggled to even make the matchday squad in the final weeks of the season - and has yet to find the net for his new club. Speaking to Japanese media, he said: "I will decide on my future after seeing how things go during the pre-season." L'Equipe report that Kyogo is on a list of Rennes "undesirables" issued by boss Habib Beye - with a cut-price deal on the cards just months after his £10million arrival. A replacement for the Parkhead fan favourite could be moving forward with Slovan Bratislava adding to their frontline. David Strelec was was the subject of a £7.5m offer from the Hoops in January - with the Slovakian champions holding out for £9million. Strelec wrapped up the campaign with 25 goals to his name and hasn't been shy in opening the door to a Celtic switch. And the arrival of Swansea City striker Mykola Kuharevich - who spent last season on loan at Hibs - to Slovan could clear a path to Glasgow's east end. But general director Ivan Kmotrik Jr insists he is is currently planning for a strike partnership: "We watched Mykola during his time in Scotland, where he was a guest from Swansea. "We are acquiring an interesting alternative to the point of attack in him. He has played for the youth national teams, has experience in international football. "Mykola uses his physical assets, but at the same time is a technically proficient type of striker. "He can bring increased competition and expanded options to the point of attack for David Strelec, from whom he is typologically a little different. "I am very happy that our negotiations have come to a successful end, and we have signed a four-year contract with Mykola." Celtic could also revive their interest in Kelechi Iheanacho after they failed in a January move for the Sevilla striker. He excelled under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City but ended up joining English Championship side Middlesbrough on loan in the winter window. As he prepares to return to Spain from Boro, Sevilla's sporting director Victor Orta has opened the door to an exit again by branding the addition of the Nigeria international 12 months ago a "mistake". He told Spanish media: 'I want to clarify that the strikers were brought in as complements, to be practically the third striker, because there was a starter like Youssef (En-Nesyri) and a striker who later appeared, like Isaac (Romero). 'But it's clear that betting on Kelechi this season has been a mistake, and we will analyse why we made it and we are doing so now.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Mykola Kuharevich joins Slovan Bratislava for an undisclosed fee
Hibs on-loan striker striker Mykola Kuharevich has joined Slovan Bratislava for an undisclosed fee. Speculation had been growing about a possible return to Easter Road for the striker but he has signed a four-year deal with the Slovakian giants. So instead of possible Europa Leage football he will be playing in the Champions League with Bratislava who recently won their 23rd title. After a previous loan with Hibs, the 23-year-old joined the Swansea City from French side Troyes for nearly £2m back in 2023. He struggled to establish himself in the Championship, scoring one goal in just 13 appearances. After returning to Hibs on loan last season he scored seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions Like this: Like Related
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Populist leader suggests ahead of NATO summit that Slovakia might be better off neutral
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico suggested Tuesday that his country might be better off neutral as he and other officials prepared for a NATO summit next week. Fico made the remarks before heading into a meeting with political party leaders and President Peter Pellegrini to discuss proposals to increase defense spending to meet targets that the alliance is moving toward. Fico accused Western leaders of being 'warmongers' who enable weapons profiteering in their support of Ukraine. 'Neutrality would be very beneficial for Slovakia,' he said, adding that, 'Unfortunately, such a decision is not in my hands." Later Tuesday, he released a statement saying the NATO defense spending requirements would amount to more than 7 billion euros ($8 billion) or almost a fifth of the country's budget, which he called 'absolutely absurd.' He said the country had the simple choice of meeting that target, 'or we leave NATO.' Fico would not have the authority to pull Slovakia out of the alliance, which could be prompted by a referendum and would require action by Parliament. A broad spectrum of politicians rejected the notion in reaction to his comments. NATO meets for a summit in the Netherlands on June 24-25, where the allies are due to agree a new defense spending target in line with demands by U.S. President Donald Trump. The aim is to increase the spending to 3.5% of GDP for core defense spending on tanks, warplanes, air defense, missiles and hiring extra troops. A further 1.5% would be spent on things like roads, bridges, ports and airfields. Slovakia, a NATO member since 2004, currently spends 2%. Pellegrini and most Slovakian politicians, from the government and the opposition, dismissed Fico's suggestion to become neutral. The president said that Slovakia will stay united with its allies on the spending issue at the summit. Fico's views on Russia's war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. He opposes any military aid for Ukraine, lashed out at EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.
