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Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 15:40 · 65 articles added
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Society

Trial of African American Accused of Murdering Ukrainian Refugee Suspended Due to Mental Incapacity

A Slovak court has suspended the trial of an African American man charged with murdering a Ukrainian refugee after a state psychiatric institute determined he is mentally unfit to stand trial. The psychiatric evaluation concluded that the defendant is currently "unable to continue" with court proceedings, effectively halting the criminal case until his mental condition improves. The ruling means the murder case will remain in legal limbo while the accused receives psychiatric treatment, with no clear timeline for when proceedings might resume.

SME
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Society

Sexual assistance for disabled people exists in Czech Republic, says Slovak woman with muscular atrophy

A Slovak woman living with muscular atrophy has challenged misconceptions about sexuality among people with disabilities, highlighting that the belief disabled individuals do not have sexual lives is a myth. Her comments come as attention turns to the Czech Republic, which provides sexual assistance services for people with disabilities. The Czech model offers professional support to help disabled individuals access intimate relationships and sexual experiences, representing a progressive approach to addressing the needs of this community. Such services remain uncommon in many countries, where societal taboos and lack of awareness often leave disabled people without adequate support for their intimate and sexual wellbeing.

SME
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Society

State Hospital Authority Makes Major CT Scanner Purchase as Agel Healthcare Group Faces Potential Exit

Slovakia's University Hospital in Bratislava has purchased new CT scanners worth over 1.6 million euros for its Antolská facility, as part of broader efforts by the state hospital authority UNB to expand equipment procurement. The investment comes amid moves to potentially remove the private healthcare company Agel from operations at the Antolská hospital. UNB, which operates several major hospitals in Bratislava including university teaching facilities, has been increasing its medical equipment purchases as Slovakia's healthcare system continues to grapple with modernization needs and the role of private operators in public healthcare facilities.

SME
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Society

Human Rights Coalition Calls for Commitment on International Roma Day

Slovakia's Human Rights Coalition marked International Roma Day by emphasizing that the occasion must serve as more than symbolic recognition, calling for concrete commitment to addressing ongoing challenges. The coalition highlighted that many Roma families continue to experience social exclusion, which shapes their daily lives and opportunities. The statement comes as Slovakia, like other European countries, grapples with persistent discrimination and marginalization of Roma communities, who represent the continent's largest ethnic minority and face widespread poverty, educational disadvantages, and limited access to employment and healthcare.

SME
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Society

International Student Community Growing at Slovak Universities

Foreign students are bringing new impulses to academic life at universities across Slovakia, according to recent developments in higher education. The international student community at Slovak institutions continues to expand, contributing fresh perspectives and energy to campus environments. This growth reflects Slovakia's increasing attractiveness as a study destination and the universities' efforts to internationalize their programs and student bodies.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Family Shares Experience of Raising Children in Sweden

Jaro Rais and his family moved to Sweden two years ago with their three sons, originally planning to relocate to the United States before deciding on Sweden due to its superior education system, healthcare, and social services. The family had always planned to experience life abroad, with their decision not driven by current conditions in Slovakia. Rais describes notable differences in Swedish childcare practices, where children can have runny noses at daycare and spend time outdoors even in rainy weather, highlighting the cultural contrasts between Slovak and Swedish approaches to child-rearing.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Television Network Violated Ethics Code with Report on Children Denied School Meals

Slovakia's TV Markíza violated journalism ethics standards in a February report about children denied lunch at a kindergarten in Žehňa village near Prešov, according to the Press and Digital Council, the country's media watchdog. The controversial segment showed a reporter questioning two young girls sitting at an empty table while their classmates ate lunch, asking them if they knew why they had no food - which they did not. The children were denied meals because their parents had not paid the required fees on time. While the report generated significant public attention and debate about children's welfare and school meal policies, the Press and Digital Council ruled that the television network prioritized emotional impact over the protection of minors. The decision highlights ongoing tensions in Slovak media between public interest journalism and ethical standards for reporting involving children.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak High School Students Launch Fundraiser to Fix Leaking School Roof

High school students in Slovakia have initiated a fundraising campaign to repair their school's leaking roof after being forced to attend classes while holding umbrellas to stay dry. The gymnasium's deteriorating roof has created conditions where students must protect themselves from water dripping into classrooms during lessons. Dominican nuns have contributed to the student-led fundraising effort to address the infrastructure problem that the school administration has been unable to resolve through regular channels.

Korzár
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Society

Court Rejects Appeal for Man Who Killed Partner by Throwing Her from Balcony

A Slovak court has rejected an appeal for a new trial from a man serving 17.5 years in prison for murdering his partner by throwing her from a balcony. The defendant had traveled from Ružomberok to Košice to present his case, but the court denied his request to reopen the proceedings. The case involved a domestic violence murder where the perpetrator fatally pushed his partner from a balcony, resulting in the lengthy prison sentence that remains upheld.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Education Ministry Records Over 33,000 Primary School Applications

The Slovak Education Ministry has registered more than 33,000 applications for primary school enrollment, which were submitted to over 43,000 schools across the country. The applications represent part of Slovakia's annual school enrollment process, where parents submit requests for their children to attend specific primary schools. Slovakia's education system requires parents to formally apply for primary school places, with the ministry tracking these applications as part of the administrative process for the upcoming academic year.

SME
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Society

Slovak Hospitals Stop Operating After 3 PM Due to Nursing Shortage Despite Adequate Doctor Numbers

Slovak hospitals have virtually ceased performing surgeries after 3 PM due to critical nursing shortages, despite having sufficient numbers of doctors available. Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Peter Pellegrini, and Health Minister Kamil Šaško plan to present reform proposals on Thursday for the country's major state hospitals. The hospitals face debts exceeding one billion euros, and Slovakia risks penalties from the European Commission for late payment of invoices. Health Minister Šaško has commissioned audits of five state hospitals to identify potential cost-saving measures and solutions to address the healthcare system's operational and financial crisis.

Dennik N
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Society

Excess Vitamin A Can Cause Serious Liver Damage, Health Experts Warn

Health experts are warning about the dangers of vitamin A overdose, which can cause severe and long-lasting liver damage. While vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health, skin condition, and immune system function, consuming excessive amounts of this essential nutrient can lead to serious health consequences. The symptoms of vitamin A toxicity can be dangerous and may have long-term effects on the body, particularly affecting liver function.

Aktuality
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Society

Police Catch Teenager Driving Despite Court Ban After Hit-and-Run Crash

Police apprehended a teenager who was driving under the influence despite being under a court-imposed driving ban. The young driver crashed into a parked vehicle and fled the scene before being caught by authorities. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with enforcement of judicial driving prohibitions, particularly among young offenders who continue to operate vehicles illegally after having their licenses suspended by the courts.

Korzár
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Society

Construction begins on integrated care center at Levoča hospital

Construction has begun on a new integrated care center at the hospital in Levoča, a town in eastern Slovakia's Spiš region. The new facility will provide expanded medical services under one roof, combining various healthcare specialties to improve patient care coordination. The building is scheduled to open to patients in 2027, representing a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the region.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Court Reinstates Whistleblower Who Exposed Million-Euro Healthcare Fraud

Mária Koránová, a protected whistleblower, returned to work on April 1 as chief economist at the Košice Emergency Medical Service after a court ordered her reinstatement. Koránová had filed criminal complaints in 2019 alleging multiple economic crimes involving millions of euros at the Košice emergency service. Her employer dismissed her shortly after she submitted the criminal report, leading to legal proceedings that have now resulted in her return to the same position she held before her dismissal. The case highlights Slovakia's ongoing struggles with corruption in public healthcare institutions and the challenges faced by employees who report financial misconduct, despite legal protections for whistleblowers.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Slovakia confirms five cases of mpox infection

Slovakia has confirmed five cases of mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, according to Bratislava University Hospital. Health authorities report that three of the confirmed cases are epidemiologically linked, suggesting transmission between the patients. The Regional Public Health Authority, which monitors infectious disease outbreaks in Slovakia, is tracking the cases as part of ongoing surveillance efforts for the viral infection that can spread through close contact.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Slovak WWII Paratrooper Viliam Gérik Executed in 1947 for Betraying Resistance Movement

Viliam Gérik, a Slovak paratrooper who betrayed the World War II resistance movement after being captured by the Gestapo, was executed by hanging on April 29, 1947, at age 26. Before his execution, Gérik wrote farewell letters to his family, including one to his brother Ferko in which he calmly accepted his death sentence and expressed acceptance of his fate. The case highlights the complex legacy of wartime collaboration in Slovakia, where some resistance fighters turned against their comrades after capture by Nazi forces. Gérik had received millions from the Gestapo in exchange for information that compromised Slovak resistance operations during the war.

Dennik N
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Society

Ambulance Service Reinstates Whistleblower After Court Victory and Government Intervention

A whistleblower identified as Koránová has returned to work at Slovakia's emergency medical services after courts ruled in her favor and government officials intervened. The ambulance service initially resisted the court decisions but ultimately backed down following pressure from a government office and minister. The case highlights tensions over whistleblower protections in Slovakia's public health sector, where employees who expose wrongdoing often face retaliation from their employers despite legal safeguards.

Korzár
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