Archive of articles - December 2014, page 6
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Hospitals pay for uneaten food
TRANSPARENCY International Slovensko (TIS) revealed that four state-owned hospitals involved in overpriced meals scandal have to pay two private companies for food deliveries and catering – even if they do not deliver. The contracts stipulate that if the hospitals do not consume at least 95 percent of the amount agreed, they will pay also for the unconsumed servings, Sme reported on December 13.
Transport Minister survives no-confidence motion; plans to examine fuel cards tender
TRANSPORT, Construction and Regional Development Minister Ján Počiatek, who, as expected, survived a no-confidence motion in parliament on December 12, has announced that the tender for verifying payments with so-called fuel cards for road tolls will be examined by the Public Procurement Office (ÚVO), the Supreme Audit Office (NKÚ) and the European Commission, the TASR newswire reported.
Prices in November were unchanged compared with last year
CONSUMER prices in November this year were at the same level as in November last year, reports the Statistics Office of the Slovak Republic. Over the first eleven months, prices decreased by 0.1 percent. In a monthly comparison, consumer prices also fell by 0.1 percent, the SITA newswire reported on December 12.
Insurers keeping up with fraudsters
FRAUD has always been a concern for insurance companies, but fraudsters are developing ever more sophisticated schemes; insurance companies, meanwhile, are responding with more effective countermeasures.
Second pillar to start paying out
IN LESS than one month all people who have reached, or who are are going to reach, 62 years before the beginning of next year and saved money in the so-called second pillar can begin drawing money from their private pension savings for the first time. Though the first payments will be in just tens of euros because of the short saving time, around 3,000 new retirees can look forward to at least a slight increase in their old-age income, as compared to just the state system.
Banking moves online
CHANGING technology has a strong impact on all economic sectors, but perhaps none more so than on banking. Even as banks adapt, there are still more prospects for a shift towards virtual banking, with smartphones likely playing a key role.
Slovaks consolidate loans
LOAN consolidations are being propelled by record low interest rates, leading to increased competition among banks for retail clients.
Glossary: Generation Y is changing job market
Spectator College provides readers of The Slovak Spectator who are trying to improve their English with glossaries of useful and frequently used words and expressions from stories published as part of the Spectator College as well as in the rest of the newspaper. As well as this special glossary, which relates to the article Generation Y is changing job market, you can find more expressions in our Glossary for politics & business or in the List of names of institutions in English and Slovak.
Old-school investment still paying off
HOUSING construction savings accounts, once heavily incentivised by the state, remain popular. While the tax benefits offered by the government have fallen, interest rates remain considerably higher than those offered by basic savings accounts.
Discoveries under threat
THE BRATISLAVA Castle, restored in the second half of the 20th century after lying in burnt ruins for 140 years, needed another extensive reconstruction. This was started in the first decade of the new millennium and included archaeological research.
Student emigration is a threat
THE NUMBER of students at Slovak universities, including those at PhD degree programmes, is decreasing, while the share of Slovak students at Czech schools is increasing. Moreover, since the number of teachers remains the same, the unused capacity at schools is gradually rising, the report published by the Academic Ranking and Rating Agency (ARRA) suggests.
Homeless to help with baggage
SEVEN people dressed in blue uniforms, wearing white gloves and flat caps are helping passengers at the Main Railway Station in Bratislava with their baggage. No, this is not a snapshot from some old newspaper, but an image from the present as seven homeless people who also sell the Nota Bene magazine are now working at the station three times a week from 9:00 to 13:00 as part of a project run by the Proti Prúdu (Against the Stream) civic association.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Roma Spirit 2014 awards granted
THE ASSOCIATION for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC) granted the sixth annual Roma Spirit awards to individuals, a civic association, and a village for their contribution to the support and development of the Roma community.
Central bank cuts growth forecast
THE NATIONAL Bank of Slovakia (NBS) has lowered its economic growth projections for the coming years, but says growth will still be fast enough to create new jobs.
Generation Y is changing job market
A glossary of words as well as an exercise related to this article are also published online.
Quote of the week
“Viera Tomanová was on her way to the chamber, but fell on the stairs. Juraj Blanár was three seconds late, [and] Jaroslav Baška came a bit too late.”
Public library of Ján Bocatio celebrates 90
IN SEPTEMBER 1924, the institution called State Public Library (štátna verejná knihovňa) came to exist due to the decree of the Council of the city of Košice. It continued the operation of the already non-existent library of the Law Academy in Košice.
Police fine Gašparovič’s ex-advisor
POLICE have issued a fine to the former head of the Presidential Office’s public relations section, Dárius Rusnák, a former ice hockey player, claiming he defamed two women for speaking Hungarian. He will be forced to pay €100.
Ever more Slovaks are leaving Christmas chores to professionals
MORE and more Slovaks prefer to leave it to the professionals when it comes to the chores associated with preparing for Christmas – according to a survey carried out by STEM/MARK agency on behalf of the Home Credit loan company.
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- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
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- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
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- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
