SUMMARY-Friday-February 14, 2020 - 10 p.m.

BRATISLAVA - The most considerable month-on-month increase in January was recorded for prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, namely by 2.2 percent, with food prices going up in the first month of this year most significantly on a monthly basis since 1997, said analysts, adding that food prices were higher than expected, mainly as a result of continuing growth in meat prices on the world market. BRATISLAVA - The National Crime Agency (NAKA) is waging several criminal prosecutions over a suspected land fraud in Poprad district (Presov region), Police Corps Presidium spokesman Michal Slivka confirmed to TASR on Friday. BRATISLAVA - If any attempt to influence expert Erika Strakova's testimony really took place, then that constitutes a crime, Justice Minister Gabor Gal (Most-Hid) stated with respect to Strakova's witness testimony at the trial of those accused of counterfeiting TV Markiza promissory notes. NITRA - A man admitted to Nitra hospital's clinic of infectious diseases and tested of suspected coronavirus has turned out to be negative, hospital spokesperson Tatiana Timkova told TASR on Friday. BRATISLAVA - The National Highway Company (NDS) has signed a contract with the contractor of Krivan-Mytna stretch (Banska Bystrica region) on the R2 expressway, TASR learnt on Friday. BRATISLAVA - The growth in state tax and levy income is projected to slow down from 6.1 percent to 3.2 percent in 2020, mostly due to slower wages growth and last year's legislative measures, Financial Policy Institute (IFP) reported in its latest prognosis on Friday. KOSICE - The American Center in Kosice had underwent a complete modernisation and reopened for public on Friday, TASR learnt from the US Embassy on the same day. BRATISLAVA - A total of 41 people suspected of contracting coronavirus have been examined in Slovakia, but all results have been negative, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD), who has been charged with managing the Health Ministry, stated on Friday. BRATISLAVA - I'm sure that OLaNO leader Igor Matovic could become the prime minister, as he's ready to take on any responsibility that emerges for him, OLaNO caucus chairman Eduard Heger told TASR on Friday, adding that Matovic has never considered the post of premier before. BRATISLAVA - President Zuzana Caputova will attend the Munich Security Conference on Sunday (February 16), when she plans in her address to speak about the responsibility of political leaders to protect the rule of law, TASR was told by the president's spokesman Martin Strizinec on Friday. BRATISLAVA - The planned scrapping of motorway stickers approved by the Government, which is yet to be dealt with by Parliament during this election term, will have no impact on the pace of motorway construction, Transport and Construction Ministry State Secretary Peter Durcek (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) stated at a press conference on Friday. mf