BRATISLAVA, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial markets on Wednesday.
GOVERNMENT MEETING
Government will hold its regular weekly meeting, 0800 GMT.
PARLIAMENTARY SESSION
Parliament will continue in the regular monthly session.
AUG CPI HITS 2-YR HIGH, CBANK SEES DECLINE
Slovakia's annual inflation accelerated to a two-year high in August due to rising housing costs, but analysts said price growth appeared to have peaked and they expected a declining trend towards the end of the year.
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C.BANK SAYS AUG INFLATION BELOW ITS FORECAST
Slovak EU-norm inflation was slightly below central bank (NBS) expectations in August, the bank said on Tuesday, but higher cigarette prices may push the annual inflation rate slightly higher in September.
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C.BANK DRAINS SKK 132 BLN IN REPO TENDER
The Slovak central bank (NBS) accepted all bids in a regular two-week repo tender on Tuesday, draining 132.138 billion crowns ($6.12 billion) from the market, NBS data showed.
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PRESS DIGEST
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AMSLICO CLIENTS SAFE
AIG <AIG.N> troubles should not have a direct impact on life insurance clients of Amslico AIG Life, AIG's Slovak unit, the Slovak central bank said.
Sme, page 7
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION STAYS STRONG
Slovakia's electricity consumption is expected to outpace production for the second year in a row in 2008, according to economy ministry forecasts.
Pravda, page 15
SMER LEADS IN POLLS
The Smer party of Prime Minister Robert Fico maintains its strong lead in opinion polls, taking 46.5 percent in a September survey by the Statistics Office. The main opposition party, SDKU, would finish second with 11.8 percent if an election was held in September.
Sme, page 2
GRAIN PRICES DOWN, BREAD COST STAYS HIGH
The price of grain fell by more than 30 percent after strong harvest, but bakeries have not yet adjusted prices of their products and cost of bread remains high.
Pravda, page 15
OPPOSITION REUNITED
The three opposition parties have met for the first time in six months after SDKU party and Christian Democrats froze cooperation with the ethnic Hungarian party SMK for its backing of the government in the EU treaty vote.
Sme, page 2
ABORTION BAN REJECTED
The parliament rejected a proposal submitted by an independent deputy Peter Gabura seeking a complete ban on abortions.
Pravda, page 4
Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it vouch for their accuracy
News editor of the day: Peter Laca on +421 2 5341 8402; fax: +421 2 5341 8403
E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk, martin.santa@thomsonreuters.com
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