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Last refreshed: 19/06/2026 15:43 · 74 articles added
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Society

Journalist attacked with unknown substance during court proceedings in Nové Zámky

Journalist Ivan Brada was attacked with an unknown substance thrown into his eyes while covering court proceedings in Nové Zámky, a town in southwestern Slovakia. The attack occurred after Brada directed a question to a participant in the legal proceedings. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between media and subjects of judicial proceedings in Slovakia, where journalists frequently face hostility while attempting to report on court cases of public interest.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Radio Faces Job Cuts Following Internal Audit

Slovak Radio is preparing to implement staff layoffs following the completion of an internal audit. The public broadcaster's management has announced the cuts, which are being implemented under what some employees describe as questionable justifications. The decision has sparked emotional reactions among staff members, who view the layoffs as potentially unjustified given the circumstances surrounding the audit process.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Public Media Journalist Dismissed After 15 Years, Refuses to Accept Termination

Soňa Gyarfašová, a journalist with Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), was dismissed from her position after 15 years with the public broadcaster without any discussion with management. Gyarfašová, who specialized in reporting on people who survived Nazi and Communist totalitarian regimes, has refused to accept her termination notice and plans to challenge the dismissal in court. She describes a climate where freedom is disappearing at STVR and fear is taking its place. The dismissal has drawn public support and backing from media professionals. STVR is Slovakia's public broadcasting service, which has faced scrutiny over editorial independence and management decisions under various governments. Gyarfašová's case highlights ongoing tensions within Slovak public media regarding journalistic freedom and the treatment of staff who cover sensitive historical and political topics.

Dennik N
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Society

Police Arrest Two Suspects in Series of Thefts in Plešivec

Police have detained two individuals suspected of carrying out a series of thefts in Plešivec, a town in eastern Slovakia near the Hungarian border. The suspects allegedly entered private courtyards and properties searching for items they could steal and sell for money. The arrests mark the conclusion of an investigation into multiple theft incidents that had been plaguing the local community.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak University Faculty Closes After 74 Years Due to Plummeting Student Interest

A Slovak university faculty will close after 74 years of operation due to a dramatic collapse in student enrollment, falling from 500 first-year students to just 35. The faculty will be merged with another institution as universities across Slovakia grapple with declining birth rates and changing educational preferences. The closure reflects broader demographic challenges facing Slovak higher education, where many institutions are consolidating programs or shutting down departments that can no longer attract sufficient students to remain viable.

Korzár
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Society

Man Receives Nearly Seven Years in Prison for Robbery That Seriously Injured Elderly Woman

A Slovak court sentenced a man to nearly seven years in prison for robbing an elderly woman by pulling a chain from her neck, causing her to fall and sustain serious injuries. The defendant committed the robbery because he needed money to buy drugs. The case highlights ongoing concerns about drug-related crime affecting vulnerable members of society, as addicts resort to violent theft to fund their dependencies.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Healthcare Association Extends Contracts with Two Major Health Insurers

The Association of Slovak Hospitals has extended contracts with VšZP and Union ZP, two of Slovakia's major health insurance companies. VšZP confirmed that negotiations resulted in mutual agreement on basic principles and adjustments to contractual relationships. However, discussions with Dôvera, the country's largest private health insurer, are still ongoing. The contract extensions are significant for Slovakia's healthcare system, as these agreements determine how hospitals are reimbursed for patient care and affect the accessibility of medical services across the country's public and private healthcare network.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovakia Delays Expansion of Care Benefits to July, Simplifies Family Care Procedures

Slovakia has postponed the expansion of eligibility for care benefits (ošetrovné) until July, after initially planning earlier implementation. The legislative amendment will broaden the circle of people entitled to receive financial support while caring for sick family members. The new rules will also simplify procedures for alternating care responsibilities among family members during long-term care situations. Care benefits in Slovakia provide financial compensation for workers who must take time off to care for ill relatives, typically covering a portion of lost wages during the care period.

SME
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Society

Medical Association Reaches Agreement with Two Major Health Insurers Despite Cost Concerns

The Association of Private Physicians (ZAP) has agreed to continue contractual relationships with VšZP and Union ZP, two of Slovakia's health insurance companies. The medical association warned that the agreed financial resources do not reflect the significant and long-term increase in costs associated with providing outpatient healthcare services. Slovakia operates a mandatory health insurance system where patients receive care through contracts between healthcare providers and insurance companies, making such agreements crucial for ensuring continued access to medical services.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Media Commentary Calls for End to Self-Censorship in Slovakia

A media commentary in Slovak publication Denník N has addressed the issue of self-censorship, arguing that there should be no doubt about whether it is time to speak out. The piece, titled "The Disease Called Self-Censorship," emphasizes urgency in breaking silence on important issues. The commentary suggests that while the best time to speak up was in the past, the second-best time is now, indicating concerns about media freedom and public discourse in Slovakia.

Dennik N
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Society

Corruption Kills! Campaign Highlights Public Perception Gap on White-Collar Crime

A new anti-corruption campaign in Slovakia argues that corruption should be viewed as seriously as violent crimes, pointing to a perception gap among voters. The "Corruption Kills!" initiative highlights how most voters do not react to corruption with the same emotional intensity as they do to murder or other violent crimes. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the serious societal impact of corruption, suggesting that white-collar crimes like graft and bribery cause significant harm to society even though they may not provoke the same visceral public response as physical violence. Slovakia has struggled with corruption issues across various levels of government and public institutions, making public awareness campaigns a key tool in efforts to combat systemic graft.

Dennik N
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Society

Man Faces Eight Years in Prison for Attacking Girl on Stairs Over 17 Euros

A young man in Slovakia is facing up to eight years in prison after attacking a girl on stairs to steal 17 euros from her. The assault was captured on security camera footage, which provided crucial evidence leading to his identification and charges. The case highlights the serious legal consequences for violent robbery in Slovakia, where such crimes can result in lengthy prison sentences even when relatively small amounts of money are involved.

Korzár
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Society

Historic Slovak spa facility restored after two decades behind fence

A deteriorating spa building that had been cordoned off for more than twenty years has been renovated at a cost of millions of euros. The facility, which had fallen into severe disrepair and was described as a "black hole" of the spa complex, was originally slated for demolition and replacement with a replica structure. However, authorities ultimately decided to restore the original building instead, completing the extensive renovation project that brings the historic structure back into use after decades of neglect.

Korzár
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Society

New COVID-19 Variant 'Cicada' Spreads Across Europe

A new COVID-19 variant designated BA.3.2, unofficially known as "Cicada," has emerged and is spreading across Europe. The variant is a mutation related to the Omicron strain and preliminary findings suggest it has higher transmissibility, which could contribute to seasonal increases in infection cases. Health authorities are monitoring the spread of this new variant as it appears across European countries.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Slovak Population Decline Accelerates, Affecting Municipal Operations

Slovakia's population has declined for the fifth consecutive year, with the rate of decrease accelerating in 2025, according to new demographic data from the Statistical Office. The Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia (ZMOS) warned that the ongoing population loss is significantly impacting the functioning of cities and municipalities across the country. The demographic trend represents a continuing challenge for local governments as they face reduced tax bases and increased strain on public services in communities with shrinking populations.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Flu Cases Decline in Nitra Region

The number of flu cases has decreased in the Nitra region of Slovakia. During the recent period, 64 people experienced complicated cases of the illness requiring more intensive medical attention. The Nitra region, located in western Slovakia, covers several districts and has been monitoring seasonal flu patterns as part of the country's public health surveillance system.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Banská Bystrica begins elementary school enrollment for first-graders

Elementary school enrollment for first-grade students has begun in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia's central regional capital. An amendment to the education law now allows parents to register their children for mandatory school attendance electronically for the first time. Previously, parents could only complete the enrollment process through traditional paper-based methods at school offices.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Truck Driver Gets Suspended Sentence After Drinking Vodka While Driving and Crashing

A truck driver in Slovakia received a suspended sentence after drinking vodka while driving, falling asleep at the wheel, and causing a crash. The driver reportedly consumed alcohol during his journey because he was angry at his boss for assigning him another driving shift. The case highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and professional driving standards in the country, where commercial vehicle accidents involving impaired drivers pose significant risks to public safety.

Korzár
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Society

AI-Powered Website Claims to 'Reveal' Women's Sexual Partners Goes Viral on Social Media

A website using artificial intelligence technology that claims to determine the number of sexual partners a woman has had is trending on social media platforms in Slovakia. The site has drawn criticism from experts who characterize it as a form of digital harassment. The viral spread of such technology raises concerns about privacy violations and the potential misuse of AI tools to target and shame women based on unfounded algorithmic predictions about their personal lives.

SME
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Society

Young Slovak Activist Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles Following Political Involvement

Ján Vojtaššák, a 26-year-old Slovak activist, has publicly shared his experience with anxiety and depression in a personal blog post, describing how his mental health deteriorated after participating in anti-government protests. Vojtaššák wrote that exactly one year ago he was able to confidently speak at a large opposition rally, which he described as the peak of his happiness and capabilities. However, he said his condition began to decline shortly afterward, leading to a diagnosis of anxiety-depressive disorder. The activist detailed the unpredictable nature of his mental health struggles, explaining how he might feel motivated to accomplish something one day but be unable to get out of bed the next. His candid account highlights the personal toll that political activism and public engagement can take on individuals, particularly young people involved in Slovakia's opposition movement.

Dennik N
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