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

Social Insurance Agency to Hold Advisory Day for Slovak-Czech Cross-Border Workers

Slovakia's Social Insurance Agency will hold a special advisory session on Wednesday for people who have worked in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The consultation day will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the agency's branch office in Liptovský Mikuláš, a town in northern Slovakia. The session will focus on pension-related matters for cross-border workers who have contributed to social security systems in both countries.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Northern Spiš Region Prepares for Summer Tourist Season

Tourism preparations are reaching their final stages in the northern Spiš region of eastern Slovakia as the area prepares for the upcoming summer season. The tourism program will officially begin on April 30 with the traditional May pole raising ceremony in Stará Ľubovňa, which will be combined with demonstrations of traditional crafts and creative workshops. The Spiš region, located in northeastern Slovakia near the Polish border, is known for its medieval castles, folk traditions, and cultural heritage sites that attract both domestic and international visitors during the summer months.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Repeat Offender Attacks Residents with Baseball Bat in Slovak Housing Estate

A repeat offender used a baseball bat to attack multiple people, striking them in the head, in a housing estate in Bánovce nad Bebravou, a town in western Slovakia. The man has been charged with the assault and is being held in pre-trial detention while authorities investigate the violent incident. Bánovce nad Bebravou is located in the Trenčín region, approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Bratislava.

Aktuality
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Society

One Case of Mumps Detected in Bratislava Region

Health authorities in Slovakia's Bratislava region have confirmed one case of mumps, according to the Regional Public Health Office. The office reported that no cases of measles or rubella have been recorded in the region so far. Mumps is a viral infection that typically causes swelling of the salivary glands and can spread through respiratory droplets, though it is preventable through routine childhood vaccination as part of the MMR vaccine program.

SME
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Society

Bratislava Woman Creates Running Club to Help Female Runners Feel Safe

Lenka Tkáčová has founded the Slow Glow Running Club in Bratislava, a running group specifically designed for women who want to exercise without fear. The club addresses the reality that women experience running differently than men, particularly regarding safety concerns while jogging. Tkáčová created the group as an inclusive space for women of all fitness levels and running speeds, recognizing that female runners often face unique challenges and anxieties that male runners may not experience. The initiative reflects growing awareness of women's safety concerns in public spaces and sports activities.

Dennik N
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Society

From Hiding Chip Packages to Advising Olympians: Slovak Nutritionist's Journey

Martin Čupka, a Slovak sports nutritionist who now advises Olympic athletes on their diets, recently appeared as a guest on the television program Vizita. As a child, Čupka would hide chip packages in the couch, behavior that contrasts sharply with his current professional role helping elite athletes optimize their nutrition for peak performance. The interview highlighted his personal transformation from someone who struggled with unhealthy eating habits in childhood to becoming an expert who guides Slovakia's top competitors in making proper dietary choices for athletic success.

SME
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Society

Amnesty International Criticizes Slovakia Over Civil Society Restrictions and Human Rights Violations

Amnesty International has condemned Slovakia for implementing repressive measures against civil society and violating human rights protections. The human rights organization specifically criticized restrictions on LGBTI rights and highlighted systematic discrimination against Roma communities in the country. The criticism comes as part of Amnesty's broader warning about a global human rights crisis, with Slovakia's constitutional amendments drawing particular scrutiny from the international watchdog organization.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Catholic Church 'Did Not Embrace' Pope Francis's Vision, Says Former Dissident

Former Slovak dissident František Mikloško criticized the Slovak Catholic Church for failing to fully embrace Pope Francis's revolutionary approach to Christianity during the pontiff's lifetime. Speaking in a video podcast, Mikloško praised Francis's transformative vision, which he said was shaped by the pope's direct experience working in Argentina's slums. The former pontiff developed his compassionate worldview through face-to-face encounters with society's most marginalized people, including the poor, criminals, and prostitutes, rather than observing from academic distance. Mikloško highlighted Francis's famous question "Who am I to judge?" as emblematic of a revolutionary Christian perspective that emphasized Christ's ultimate judgment while showing mercy to all people regardless of their circumstances.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak President Emphasizes Importance of Remembering the Holocaust

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini highlighted the moral courage of individuals who risked their lives to help others during the Holocaust. Speaking at a Holocaust remembrance event, Pellegrini emphasized the critical importance of preserving historical memory and learning from the past. Slovakia, which was a client state of Nazi Germany during World War II, lost most of its Jewish population during the Holocaust, making such commemorative events significant for acknowledging this dark chapter in the country's history and honoring those who showed extraordinary bravery in helping victims.

SME
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Society

Five Defendants Plead Not Guilty in Fatal Gas Explosion Trial

Five defendants facing charges in connection with a deadly gas explosion that killed eight people have entered not guilty pleas in Slovak court. The case involves a gas leak that led to an explosion and subsequent fire, resulting in eight fatalities. While all five accused individuals agreed they are not guilty of the charges against them, they appear to have differing positions on other aspects of the case. The trial represents a significant legal proceeding in Slovakia, as prosecutors seek to establish criminal responsibility for the deadly incident that claimed multiple lives.

Korzár
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Society

Police seize vending machine dispensing psychoactive substances in Slovakia

Police investigators in Nitra seized a self-service vending machine that was dispensing psychoactive substances. The machine's discovery prompted law enforcement to launch criminal proceedings for the crime of spreading drug addiction. The investigation is being handled by the Police Corps, which treats the distribution of such substances as a serious criminal offense under Slovak law.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Teens Support Regulating Social Media Despite Vowing to Circumvent Bans

Slovak teenagers spend between two and six hours daily on social media platforms and believe networks like Instagram, TikTok, and X should be regulated by law similar to driving or alcohol access, according to a new survey. The qualitative research, conducted by civic organization IPčko in cooperation with Focus agency, used focus groups with 31 respondents aged 13 to 16 across four locations. Despite supporting regulation in principle, the teenagers acknowledged they would find ways to bypass any social media bans if implemented. The findings highlight the complex relationship young people have with social media platforms, recognizing potential harms while remaining heavily engaged with the technology.

Dennik N
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Society

Man arrested day after prison release, returns to custody for 18 months

A man was arrested and returned to prison just one day after being released from serving his previous sentence. He will now serve an additional 18 months behind bars. The case highlights the challenges some individuals face in reintegrating into society after incarceration, with some quickly finding themselves back in the criminal justice system.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Village Creates Record-Breaking 736-Meter Human Chain Linking Majority and Roma Communities

The village of Vítkovce in Slovakia organized a record-breaking community chain measuring 736 meters that symbolically connected the majority population with the local Roma community. The human chain represents an effort to bridge social divides and foster unity between different ethnic groups within the village. Such community initiatives aim to address longstanding tensions between Slovakia's majority population and its Roma minority, which is the country's largest ethnic minority group and has historically faced discrimination and social exclusion.

Korzár
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Society

Health Ministry Proposes Adding Two New Substances to Psychotropic Drugs List

Slovakia's Health Ministry has proposed adding 2-methylmethcatinone and 4-bromomethcatinone to the official list of controlled psychotropic substances. The amendment responds to the emergence of new psychoactive substances in the Slovak market and is built on the principle of precautionary measures. The new legislation is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2024, as authorities work to keep pace with evolving synthetic drug markets that often introduce chemical variants to circumvent existing laws.

SMEAktuality
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Society

Woman with 2.1 blood alcohol level crashes car into ditch, man in Bardejov drives under drug influence

Two separate incidents of impaired driving occurred in eastern Slovakia, with both drivers now facing criminal charges. In one case, a woman with a blood alcohol level of 2.1 promille crashed her vehicle into a roadside ditch. In the second incident, a man was caught driving under the influence of drugs in Bardejov, a town in the Prešov region near the Polish border. Both individuals are facing criminal charges for driving under the influence, which carries penalties including license suspension, fines, and potential imprisonment under Slovak law.

Korzár
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Society

Police Uncover Fraudulent Ukrainian Refugee Benefits Scheme Worth Thousands of Euros

Police in Slovakia have uncovered a fraud case involving a married couple who illegally obtained humanitarian benefits intended for Ukrainian citizens. The couple collected more than 300,000 Czech crowns (approximately 12,300 euros) in payments despite being ineligible for the assistance. The fraudulent scheme continued for several months before authorities detected the illegal activity. The case highlights ongoing challenges with benefit fraud related to refugee assistance programs established following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted Slovakia and other EU countries to create emergency financial support systems for displaced Ukrainians.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Married Couple Charged with Fraudulent Collection of Ukrainian Aid Benefits Worth €12,300

Police have uncovered a fraud case in which a married couple illegally obtained humanitarian benefits intended for Ukrainian citizens, collecting more than 300,000 Czech crowns (approximately €12,300) over several months. The couple continued receiving the payments despite being ineligible for the assistance. The investigation reveals systematic abuse of aid programs established to support Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Slovakia, like other EU countries, implemented various financial assistance schemes for Ukrainians fleeing the war, including housing allowances, food support, and integration benefits administered through social services offices.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Mass Brawl Erupts Over Wall Dispute in Settlement Near Prešov

A dispute over a wall in a settlement near Prešov escalated into a mass brawl involving crowds attacking with sticks and stones. Police deployed multiple units to restore order in the eastern Slovak city, which is the administrative center of the Prešov region. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in informal settlements that often house marginalized communities in Slovakia's eastern regions.

Korzár
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Society

Passport Office Queues Grow as Slovaks Rush for Travel Documents, Minister Advises Trying Smaller Cities

Slovak citizens are facing long queues and fully booked appointments at passport offices as demand for travel documents surges. The Interior Ministry acknowledged the problem and advised people to try applying for passports in smaller cities where appointment availability may be better. The ministry said it is preparing additional assistance specifically for Bratislava, where the situation appears most severe. The passport rush reflects increased travel demand as pandemic restrictions have eased, but the limited capacity at passport offices has created bottlenecks for citizens needing to renew or obtain new travel documents.

SME
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