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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 05:36 · 18 articles added
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Society

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Society

Rainbow Ribbon Campaign Promotes LGBTI+ Safety as Slovakia Lags Behind European Standards

A rainbow ribbon initiative is being promoted as a beacon of safety for LGBTI+ individuals in Slovakia, according to advocates who describe it as a small gesture with significant impact. The campaign comes as Slovakia continues to fall below the European average in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. The rainbow ribbon serves as a visible symbol indicating safe spaces and support for LGBTI+ individuals in a country where legal protections and social acceptance remain limited compared to other European Union member states.

SME
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Society

Heavy Machinery Removes Locomotive from Last Year's Fatal Train Collision Site

Heavy machinery is working in difficult terrain to remove a locomotive from the site of a fatal train collision that occurred last year in Slovakia. The accident was caused by one of the express trains failing to respect a "stop" signal. The Transport Minister previously stated that the train driver had YouTube running at the time of the crash. The complex recovery operation highlights the severity of the collision and the challenging conditions at the accident site.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Village Lake Attracts Tourists Despite Swimming Ban

A lake in a small Slovak village has become a tourist attraction featuring a zipline and boardwalk, despite an official ban on swimming. The development has drawn visitors to the rural community, though the mayor faces criticism for investing in infrastructure projects. The lake's popularity highlights the growing trend of rural tourism in Slovakia, as small communities seek to diversify their economies and attract visitors through recreational facilities and natural attractions.

Korzár
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Society

President Says Nurses Are Most Important Group in Hospitals

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini declared that nurses and midwives constitute the most important group within the country's hospitals. The president highlighted their ability to adapt and respond to changes in their professional areas, emphasizing that these healthcare workers are present with patients in every situation they face.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Bodies of deceased patients stored in deplorable conditions at Prešov hospital, investigation reveals

Bodies of deceased patients were stored in appalling conditions at a hospital in Prešov, with corpses kept in black plastic bags placed on shelves alongside boxes and crumpled plastic materials, according to an investigation by Denník N news outlet. The concrete floor of the storage area was stained with unpleasant fluids, creating conditions described as unfit for civilization. The disturbing discovery was made in May 2026 at the Prešov hospital's pathology department. Those responsible for the conditions are attempting to downplay the severity of the situation, claiming nothing improper occurred despite the evidence of inadequate storage facilities for human remains.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Evangelical Pastor Leaves for Czech Republic After Church Rejection Over Sexual Orientation

Emil Hankovský, a Slovak evangelical pastor, left Slovakia for the Czech Republic after facing rejection from his parish when he revealed his homosexuality. The pastor divorced his wife and relocated after experiencing what he described as a complete breakdown of his inner world, accompanied by anxiety and panic attacks. Church representatives advised him to try to endure his marriage despite his sexual orientation, but he ultimately found no understanding within his Slovak parish. Slovakia's traditional Christian churches generally maintain conservative positions on LGBTI+ issues, making acceptance difficult for clergy who come out. The Czech Republic, by contrast, has more liberal attitudes toward sexual minorities and greater separation between church and state, offering a more accepting environment for LGBTI+ individuals in religious roles.

Dennik N
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Society

Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica Gets New Statutory Body

Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica has received a new statutory body, effective from May 1. The change was implemented based on a decision by the hospital's founder, the Slovak Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health serves as the founding authority for state-owned healthcare facilities in Slovakia, giving it oversight powers including the appointment of management structures for public hospitals across the country.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Hlohovec Opens New Youth Center 'Harbor of Youth'

The western Slovak town of Hlohovec has opened a new youth facility called 'Harbor of Youth' (Prístav mladých). The center will serve as a meeting place for young people, offering creative activities, discussion forums, and support services. The facility aims to provide a dedicated space where local youth can gather, engage in various programs, and receive guidance in their personal development.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Senior Citizen Loses Nearly 20,000 Euros in Family Impersonation Scam

An elderly Slovak woman lost nearly 20,000 euros to a fraudster who posed as her nephew in a phone scam. The incident represents a common type of fraud targeting senior citizens, where criminals exploit family relationships to gain trust and manipulate victims into transferring money. Such scams have become increasingly prevalent across Slovakia, with elderly residents particularly vulnerable to sophisticated impersonation techniques used by organized criminal groups.

SME
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Society

Eggs, Cottage Cheese, Meat: How Protein Became an Unavoidable Trend

Slovakia's media is exploring the growing protein trend that has swept across dietary habits and consumer choices. The phenomenon encompasses traditional protein sources like eggs, cottage cheese, and meat, which have become central to modern nutritional discussions and lifestyle changes. This cultural shift reflects broader changes in how Slovaks approach food consumption and health consciousness, marking a significant departure from traditional eating patterns toward protein-focused diets that have gained widespread popularity across the country.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Parliament Fails to Address Unspoken Traumas, Discourages Help-Seeking

Slovak lawmakers have demonstrated to trauma victims that calling for help is pointless, effectively silencing those dealing with unspoken psychological wounds. The National Council, Slovakia's parliament, has failed to provide adequate support or response mechanisms for individuals suffering from various forms of trauma. This parliamentary inaction has created a climate where victims feel discouraged from seeking assistance, potentially exacerbating mental health issues across Slovak society. The development highlights broader concerns about the government's approach to mental health support and social services in the country.

SME
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Society

Professor Mária Frankovičová, Pioneer of Vascular Surgery in Slovakia, Dies

Professor Mária Frankovičová, a pioneering figure in Slovakia's vascular surgery field, has died. Frankovičová was credited with introducing several surgical procedures that established Slovak medical priority in the field. The professor's contributions helped advance vascular surgery techniques in the country and establish Slovakia's reputation in specialized medical procedures. Her work represented significant developments in Slovak healthcare and medical innovation.

Korzár
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Society

Sacred Relic of Saint Zdislava Stolen and Encased in Concrete at Slovak Basilica

A man stole the skull of Saint Zdislava from the Basilica of Jablonné and encased the religious relic in concrete. Specialists are now working to recover the sacred remains and return them to the church. The theft represents a significant loss for believers, as the skull of Saint Zdislava serves as an important religious relic for Catholic faithful who visit the basilica for pilgrimage and prayer.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Art Student Faces Cyberbullying Over Artwork Featuring Double Cross

A student at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava has become the target of online harassment following an exhibition of his semester project that included a photograph featuring the Slovak double cross symbol on a person's buttocks. Kristián Šmelko created the work as part of a series responding to current political developments and his personal experience of national identity. The artwork has sparked outrage among religious leaders, including prominent priest Marián Kuffa who protested outside parliament, as well as members of the Slovak National Party (SNS), a nationalist party that is part of the ruling coalition. The controversy has extended beyond artistic circles into Slovakia's disinformation networks, with the student now facing cyberbullying campaigns. The double cross is a national symbol of Slovakia and holds particular significance for the country's Christian population.

Dennik N
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Society

Ľubovňa Hospital Launches Modernized Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility

A hospital in Stará Ľubovňa, a town in northeastern Slovakia, has opened a modernized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility. The investment in new equipment will enable more precise medical examinations for patients in the region. The upgrade represents an improvement in healthcare infrastructure for the area, which serves communities in the Spiš region near the Polish border.

Korzár
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Society

Teenager killed in shooting linked to drug-related violence

A teenager died in a shooting incident that authorities believe was connected to drug-related criminal activity. The fatal shooting represents the latest manifestation of drug-related violence affecting Slovakia's youth population. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which highlights ongoing concerns about narcotics trafficking and its impact on public safety in Slovak communities.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak man sentenced for attempting to kill dog with nail-laced meat baits

A district court in Spišská Nová Ves sentenced a man from Slovinky village to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 16 months, for attempting to kill a dog belonging to an acquaintance. The man had prepared meat baits laced with nails as part of a revenge scheme against the dog's owner. The Spišská Nová Ves District Court, which handles criminal cases in the eastern Slovak region, imposed the suspended sentence after finding the defendant guilty of the attempted animal cruelty. The case highlights Slovakia's legal framework for protecting animals from deliberate harm, with courts able to impose prison sentences even for attempted crimes against pets.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Teachers' Union Says New Teaching Assistant System Fails to Create Additional Positions

Slovakia's main teachers' union has criticized the Education Ministry's approach to pedagogical assistants, arguing that the new system redistributes existing positions rather than creating new ones. The Slovak Union of Primary and Secondary School Teachers (SÚŠIP) called on the ministry to supplement teaching assistant positions instead of merely reallocating them when establishing new roles. The union's concern reflects broader issues within Slovakia's education sector, where schools have long struggled with staffing shortages and inadequate support personnel to help teachers manage increasingly diverse student populations.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovakia's Advertising Council Rules Tennis Star Cibulková's Video Unethical, Orders Remake

Slovakia's Advertising Standards Council has ruled that a promotional video featuring former tennis star Dominika Cibulková violated ethical standards and must be remade. The regulatory body has banned further distribution of the video in its original form. Cibulková, who reached the 2014 Wimbledon final and was ranked as high as fourth in the world during her professional career, had appeared in the contested promotional material. The Advertising Standards Council, which oversees commercial content standards in Slovakia, determined the video breached advertising ethics guidelines, though the specific nature of the violations was not detailed in the ruling.

SME
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