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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 10:37 · 52 articles added
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Society

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Society

German Owner Demolishes Protected Heritage Building in Štiavnica Despite Conservation Laws

A German property owner has demolished a protected heritage building in Banská Bystrica, prompting heritage conservation officials to classify the action as a legal violation. The demolition occurred without proper permits from heritage authorities, who are responsible for protecting Slovakia's historic architecture and cultural monuments. Similar cases have emerged in other Slovak cities, including Trenčín, where foreign property owners have demolished protected structures, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing heritage protection laws. The incident underscores tensions between property rights and Slovakia's efforts to preserve its historical architectural legacy, particularly in towns like Banská Bystrica that contain significant medieval and Renaissance buildings.

SME
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Society

New Zoo to Be Built Near Nitra by Family from Waste Management Business

A new zoo is planned for construction in Lužianky near Nitra, covering five hectares and housing approximately 450 animals including birds, reptiles, and bison once completed. The project is being developed by a successful family from the waste management industry. Slovakia currently operates only four public zoological gardens located in Bojnice, Bratislava, Košice, and Spišská Nová Ves, plus one private zoo that specializes in big cats. The new facility would become the country's fifth major zoological attraction, expanding Slovakia's limited zoo infrastructure and providing a new tourist destination in the central Slovak region around Nitra.

Dennik N
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Society

Police Arrest Two in Major Anti-Drug Operation in Western Slovakia

Slovak police arrested two suspects and are searching for additional individuals in a large-scale anti-drug operation code-named "Operation Dagger" in western Slovakia. Specialized crime units conducted raids against drug traffickers, with operations continuing at the time of reporting. The criminal case involves charges of particularly serious crimes related to unauthorized production and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, according to police statements.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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Society

Banská Bystrica secures 3 million euros for major elementary school renovation

The central Slovak city of Banská Bystrica has obtained three million euros in funding to renovate the Golianova Elementary School, a more than 60-year-old building that houses one of the city's largest schools. The reconstruction project will modernize the aging educational facility, which serves a significant number of students in the region. The funding represents a major investment in the city's educational infrastructure, addressing the need to upgrade facilities that have been in use for over six decades.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Elderly Woman Loses €12,000 in Online Marketplace Bed Sale Scam

An elderly Slovak woman lost over €12,000 in a fraud scheme while attempting to sell a bed through a popular online marketplace. The routine sale of an ordinary bed turned into a major financial loss for the senior citizen. Slovak police have issued warnings about fake sellers operating on internet marketplaces, highlighting the growing threat of online scams targeting vulnerable users. The case underscores the risks faced by older internet users who may be less familiar with digital fraud tactics used by criminals on e-commerce platforms.

Aktuality
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Society

Košice Hospital Workers Demand Financial Audit as Management and Ministry Resist

Trade unions at a major hospital in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city, have sent an open letter demanding a comprehensive financial audit of the facility's operations. The hospital management and the Health Ministry are opposing the workers' call for the in-depth review of financial practices. The dispute highlights growing tensions between healthcare workers and administrators over hospital finances in Slovakia's eastern region, though specific details about the unions' concerns or the reasons for management's resistance were not immediately available.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Patients with Intestinal Diseases Face Treatment Crisis Due to Medicine Shortages

Over 30,000 Slovak patients suffering from intestinal diseases are being forced to seek medications from neighboring countries as modern treatments remain unavailable domestically. The shortage of accessible medicines is worsening health conditions for those with inflammatory bowel diseases and other chronic intestinal disorders. The crisis highlights broader problems in Slovakia's healthcare system regarding the availability of specialized medications, forcing patients to cross borders or go without necessary treatment that could prevent their conditions from deteriorating.

SME
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Society

Artificial Intelligence Becomes Unwelcome Topic at Slovak University Graduations

Artificial intelligence has become a controversial subject at Slovak university graduation ceremonies, with mentions of AI now reportedly met with booing and whistling from audiences. The negative reaction suggests growing tensions within academic circles over the role of AI in education and student work, though the specific incidents or underlying causes behind this backlash remain unclear.

SME
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Society

Slovak Health Insurance Regulator Says Financial Groups and State Must Cooperate Despite Asymmetry

The head of Slovakia's health insurance regulatory authority acknowledged an imbalance exists between financial groups and the state in the healthcare sector, but emphasized their mutual dependence. Ján Palkovič, chairman of the Health Care Surveillance Authority (ÚDZS), the agency that oversees health insurance companies and healthcare financing, said he sees positive movement toward fairer hospital financing. The ÚDZS plays a crucial role in Slovakia's mixed healthcare system, where both public and private insurance companies operate alongside state-funded facilities.

SME
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Society

Za Ľudí Party Files Criminal Report Over Alleged Mistreatment of Bodies at Prešov Hospital

The Za Ľudí party has filed a criminal complaint alleging undignified treatment of deceased patients at a hospital in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. The party raised concerns about hygiene standards at the medical facility. Za Ľudí, a centrist opposition party that was previously part of the governing coalition until 2021, is drawing attention to what it considers serious violations of proper protocols for handling the deceased in the healthcare system.

Korzár
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Society

Abandoned field station in Zádielska Gorge to be converted into new mountain hut

An unused field station located in Zádielska Gorge will be transformed into a new mountain hut to serve both tourists and nature conservation rangers. The facility, situated in one of Slovakia's protected natural areas, will provide accommodation and services for visitors exploring the gorge while also supporting the work of park staff responsible for protecting the region's natural environment.

Korzár
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Society

Slovakia to Increase Number of Teaching Assistants by 750 Positions

Slovakia will add 750 new teaching assistant positions starting next school year as part of a new system designed to improve both staffing levels and effectiveness. The expansion will particularly focus on kindergartens, where teaching assistant numbers are set to grow significantly. The new system includes guarantees for minimum staffing levels and aims to prevent reductions in existing teaching assistant positions while creating additional roles.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Social Media and Smartphones Linked to Rising Anxiety Among Young Generation, Analysis Shows

A new analysis examines how social media platforms and smartphones are contributing to increased anxiety levels among young people, suggesting these digital technologies exploit basic human instincts in harmful ways. The discussion explores the connection between excessive parental care and negative developmental outcomes for children. Researchers point to growing isolation among youth as a significant concern, with digital technology playing a central role in this trend. The analysis suggests that smartphones and social media platforms are designed to capture and hold attention in ways that may be fundamentally altering how young people interact with the world and each other.

SME
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Society

Čadca Receives Government Grant for Waste Management Project

The northwestern Slovak town of Čadca has been awarded a government grant for a waste management project, Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba announced. The minister also noted that the Čadca municipal government successfully secured funding for another project aimed at reducing energy consumption at the Fraňo Kráľ kindergarten building. Slovakia's Environment Ministry regularly provides grants to municipalities for environmental projects as part of efforts to improve waste management systems and energy efficiency in public buildings across the country.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Driver Caught with 3 Promilles While Under Court-Imposed Driving Ban Until 2029

Police in Slovakia arrested a driver who registered three promilles of alcohol in his blood during a routine traffic stop. A subsequent investigation revealed the man was driving despite a court-imposed ban on operating motor vehicles that remains in effect until March 2029. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with repeat drunk driving offenders violating judicial restrictions. In Slovakia, drivers face automatic license suspension for serious traffic violations, with courts able to impose extended bans for repeat offenses or aggravated cases involving alcohol.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Two Men Attack Bus Driver in Eastern Slovak Town, Arrested by Police

Two men assaulted a bus driver at a bus station in Sabinov, a town in eastern Slovakia's Prešov region. Police patrol units arrested the attackers, aged 35 and 28, who were subsequently placed in police detention cells. The incident occurred at the local bus station, though authorities have not disclosed the motive for the attack or the extent of any injuries sustained by the driver.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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Society

Digital literacy training program for Slovak seniors closes registration April 15

Slovakia's Digital Seniors project will stop accepting new registrations on April 15, marking the end of enrollment for a nationwide digital literacy initiative. The program, managed by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI), has already trained over 87,000 senior citizens and people with disabilities across the country. The educational project aims to improve digital skills among older adults and disadvantaged groups, helping bridge the digital divide in Slovak society.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Bus Driver Attacked After Refusing to Transport Intoxicated Passengers

A bus driver was physically assaulted after refusing to allow intoxicated passengers to board his vehicle. The incident occurred when the driver exercised his right to deny service to passengers who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Police have arrested both suspects involved in the attack on the driver.

Korzár
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Society

Health Experts Recommend Immune-Boosting Diet as Cold Season Approaches

Health professionals are advising Slovaks to focus on strengthening their immune systems through proper nutrition as cooler weather arrives. Medical experts note that colds and flu can strike even during early summer months, making year-round attention to immune health important. The guidance emphasizes the role of diet in maintaining the body's natural defense mechanisms against common respiratory illnesses.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Tax Authority Reports Death Threats Against Employees After Kvetoslavovo Food Inspection

The Financial Administration of Slovakia says its employees have become targets of hate messages and death threats following a controversial food inspection incident in Kvetoslavovo. The threats emerged after what became known as the "lángos case," where tax authority inspectors conducted checks at a local food establishment. The Financial Administration, which oversees tax collection and customs enforcement in Slovakia, handles routine inspections of businesses to ensure compliance with tax and health regulations. The incident in Kvetoslavovo, a small town in western Slovakia, appears to have generated significant public backlash, leading to serious threats against the agency's staff members.

Bratislavak
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