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Last refreshed: 28/07/2026 05:39 · 38 articles added
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Society

Slovak Child Nina Seeks a Stable Home

Nina is a child in Slovakia's foster care system in need of a permanent, loving family. Described as full of energy and enthusiasm for life, she approaches daily activities with a positive attitude and rarely complains. Slovak child welfare authorities periodically highlight children awaiting adoption or long-term foster placement in order to raise public awareness and encourage families to come forward. Nina's case is part of ongoing efforts to find stable homes for children who have not yet been placed in permanent care.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Six Injured in Road Accident in Orava Village of Breza

Six people were injured in a serious road accident in Breza, a village in the Orava region of northern Slovakia. Emergency responders, including firefighters, attended the scene, where they secured the crashed vehicles against fire risk, assisted in loading them onto tow trucks, and cleared the road following the collision. The Orava region, known for its mountainous terrain and winding rural roads, frequently sees traffic incidents, particularly during adverse weather conditions.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovakia's Hidden Gem: A City With UNESCO Geopark, Castle and Synagogue That Tourists Keep Missing

One Slovak city — home to a UNESCO-recognized geopark, a castle in its urban center, and a synagogue nestled among Soviet-era apartment blocks — continues to be overlooked by international tourists despite its remarkable heritage attractions. The city's unusual combination of natural and cultural landmarks has drawn attention among foreign observers interested in Slovakia, who note that many visitors to the country pass through without stopping. Slovakia, a Central European country that joined the European Union in 2004, attracts far fewer tourists than neighboring Austria or the Czech Republic, and many of its lesser-known regional cities struggle to gain visibility on international travel itineraries despite significant historical and architectural offerings.

SME
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Society

Slovakia's Education Minister Defends Digital School Enrollment System as Fairer for Families

Slovak Education Minister Ivan Drucker is standing by the country's ePrihlášky (eApplication) digital school enrollment system, arguing it has made the process of admitting children to primary schools more transparent and equitable. The ministry highlighted in particular the elimination of a practice known as 'blocking' places — where schools would effectively reserve spots before the official enrollment process, disadvantaging families who did not have advance connections or information. Under the ePrihlášky system, all applications are submitted digitally through a centralized platform, giving parents across Slovakia equal access to available school places at the same time. The ministry views this as a significant improvement in fairness, particularly for families without established ties to specific schools. The defense of the system comes amid broader debates in Slovakia about education reform and digitalization of public services. Critics of the old enrollment model had long argued that informal spot-reserving gave advantages to well-connected families, while the new digital approach aims to standardize and democratize access to school enrollment nationwide.

SME
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Society

Police and District Office Services in Rožňava Temporarily Disrupted Due to Relocation

Residents in the Rožňava district of southern Slovakia will face temporary disruptions to public services as the local police department and district office — administrative bodies handling matters such as identity documents, vehicle registration, and public order — relocate to new premises. During non-public service days when offices will be closed to visitors, Slovakia's Interior Ministry is advising residents who urgently need assistance to use services at nearby offices in Gelnica or Spišská Nová Ves, two neighboring towns in the region.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Four-Year-Old Boy Resuscitated After House Fire in Southern Slovakia

Emergency responders successfully resuscitated a four-year-old boy following a serious fire in the Fiľakovo area of southern Slovakia. The child's condition was described as critical, prompting first responders — including a local police officer from Fiľakovo — to perform resuscitation on the scene. Their efforts proved successful, and the boy's life was saved. Fiľakovo is a town in the Banská Bystrica region near the Hungarian border.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Instagram Photo Panel at Tatra Mountain Hut Installed Without Permit, Owners Face Fine

An unauthorized decorative panel designed as an Instagram photo opportunity has appeared near Téryho chata, a mountain hut in Slovakia's High Tatras, prompting officials to warn that no exemption was granted for the installation and that those responsible may face a fine. The panel — a type of novelty structure popular on social media that frames scenic views for photographs — was erected without the required authorization from the relevant authorities. Officials confirmed that no permit or exemption had been approved, meaning the installation is in violation of regulations governing structures in protected mountain areas. Téryho chata is a well-known alpine hut situated in the High Tatras, a national park and one of Slovakia's most visited natural landmarks. The area is subject to strict environmental and construction regulations designed to protect the mountain landscape. Unauthorized structures, even decorative or seemingly minor ones, are prohibited under these rules and can result in financial penalties for those responsible.

Korzár
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Society

Czech President Joins Slovakia's Pohoda Festival, Warns of Subtle Threats to Democracy

Czech President Petr Pavel attended Slovakia's Pohoda music festival, where he joined former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová in a discussion about the evolving nature of threats to democracy. Pavel, when asked what drew him to the festival, answered in a single word. Both leaders warned that democracy is no longer dismantled through tanks rolling down streets, but through far more subtle and sophisticated means — a reference to the creeping erosion of democratic institutions through disinformation, political pressure, and the undermining of independent institutions that has become a growing concern across Central Europe. Pohoda, held annually in Slovakia, is one of the region's largest and most prominent music and culture festivals, and has increasingly served as a platform for civic and political debate. Čaputová, who served as Slovakia's president until June 2024 and was known for her pro-European, liberal stance, has remained an influential public voice since leaving office. Her appearance alongside Pavel underscores ongoing concerns among pro-democratic figures in both countries about the health of democratic governance in the region, particularly at a time when Slovakia's current government under Prime Minister Robert Fico has drawn criticism from European partners over its shifting stance on rule of law and relations with the European Union.

SME
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Society

Poland's Hidden Gem: A Cyclist's Paradise With Turquoise Waters and Castles

Just across Slovakia's northern border, Poland offers a little-known destination that combines turquoise lakes, medieval castles, and scenic cycling routes — earning it comparisons to the Adriatic coast. The region, accessible from Slovakia, features boat rides on striking blue-green waters alongside well-developed cycling infrastructure, making it an attractive short-haul travel option for Slovak holidaymakers seeking alternatives to more distant summer destinations.

Korzár
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Society

Bratislava Records Lowest Injury Rate in Slovakia, Data Shows

Bratislava has the lowest rate of injuries in Slovakia, according to data released by Dôvera, one of Slovakia's major health insurance companies. The figures reveal significant regional disparities across the country, with northern regions recording notably higher injury rates compared to the capital. While Bratislava's urban population and service-sector economy appear to contribute to safer conditions, areas in the north — where industrial and manual labor are more prevalent — see considerably more workplace and everyday injuries. The data highlights ongoing geographic and socioeconomic inequalities in health and safety outcomes across Slovakia.

Bratislavak
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Society

Fire Destroys Snack Bar at Swimming Resort in Central Slovakia

A fire broke out at a beach swimming resort in Žiar nad Hron, a town in central Slovakia, destroying the kitchen facilities of an on-site snack bar. Firefighters responded quickly to the blaze, allowing the resort grounds to remain open to visitors despite the damage. Guests were evacuated as a precaution during the incident, but no further disruption to the facility was reported.

Aktuality
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Society

Several Common Medications to Be Phased Out of Slovak Pharmacies

A number of widely used medications are set to disappear from Slovak pharmacies as suppliers halt deliveries once existing stocks are exhausted. The affected products include over-the-counter remedies commonly used to treat throat ailments, influenza symptoms, and psychological conditions. Once current pharmacy supplies run out, patients will no longer be able to obtain these specific preparations, and may need to seek alternative treatments or substitutes prescribed by a doctor. The phase-out reflects broader trends in pharmaceutical supply chains, where manufacturers periodically discontinue certain products due to changing regulations, ingredient availability, or commercial viability.

Bratislavak
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Society

Lidl Recalls Popular Kitchen Appliance Over Safety Hazard

Lidl Slovakia has pulled a popular kitchen appliance from sale due to a safety risk posed to users. The discount retailer, one of the most widely used supermarket chains in Slovakia, has initiated the recall after identifying a potential danger associated with the product's use. Customers who purchased the item are advised to stop using it and return it to their nearest Lidl store. Lidl regularly issues product recalls in compliance with EU consumer safety regulations, which require retailers to promptly remove potentially hazardous goods from shelves and notify the public.

Bratislavak
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Society

Drunk Driver Leads Police on Chase in Nitra, Crashes into Ditch

A police pursuit in Nitra, a city in western Slovakia, ended in a crash after a drunk driver ignored repeated orders to stop. Officers gave chase when the driver failed to comply with police signals, and the pursuit concluded when the vehicle ended up in a roadside ditch. One officer sustained injuries in the incident. A breathalyzer test administered after the chase revealed the driver had a blood alcohol level of 1.65 per mille — more than three times Slovakia's legal limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers.

Aktuality
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Society

Weekend Read: Families Rebuild After Tragedy, Finding a Second Chance

Slovak news outlet SME has published its weekend long-read selection, featuring a story about parents whose bakery was destroyed in a bombing and who were given an opportunity to start over. The piece is part of a regular series offering readers in-depth weekend reading on human interest and social topics.

SME
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Society

Slovak Women Share Stories of Broken Engagements and Called-Off Weddings

Fifteen Slovak men and women have shared personal accounts of broken engagements, describing the emotional and social toll of calling off planned marriages. Among those featured is 33-year-old Kristína, whose fiancé admitted shortly before their wedding date that he no longer wanted to marry her — a revelation he had kept hidden despite feeling unhappy in the relationship for a long time. She described the added pain of hearing from people around her how unfortunate the situation was, as though she herself were somehow to blame. Other contributors to the piece described discovering a partner's profile on a dating site for extramarital affairs as the reason their engagement ended. The accounts highlight the range of circumstances — from infidelity and poor communication to personal doubts — that lead couples to end engagements, as well as the complex social pressures that follow such decisions in Slovak society.

Dennik N
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Society

Fraudster Posing as Priest Swindles Elderly Slovak Woman Out of €20,000

A woman in Slovakia lost €20,000 to a fraudster who posed as a Catholic priest, in a case now under police investigation. The scammer used a classic confidence trick, presenting himself as a member of the clergy to gain the elderly victim's trust before stealing her money. Slovak police are investigating the incident, which reflects a broader trend of criminals adapting traditional fraud schemes with creative new cover stories to target senior citizens. Authorities have urged the public, particularly older residents, to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of anyone requesting money or personal information, regardless of how trustworthy they may appear.

Korzár
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Society

Man Arrested for Vandalizing Monuments, Graves, and Cars in Lučenec

Police in Lučenec, a town in southern Slovakia, have arrested a man suspected of damaging monuments and graves, as well as several parked cars. The vehicle damage occurred in June on J. M. Hurban Street in Lučenec. The suspect is believed to be responsible for both incidents, though no further details about his identity or the extent of the damage have been released.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

House Fire Destroys Roof in Central Slovak Village of Sása

A fire destroyed the roof of a family home in the village of Sása, in the Revúca district of central Slovakia, on Friday afternoon. Emergency services responded to the scene and worked throughout the afternoon to bring the blaze under control. The roof collapsed as a result of the fire. No injuries were reported.

Aktuality
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Society

Rescue Teams Airlift Injured 14-Year-Old Cyclist on Malino Brdo

A 14-year-old cyclist was rescued after sustaining injuries during a fall on Malino Brdo, a popular recreational hill and ski resort area in central Slovakia. The teenager suffered a hip joint injury and surface abrasions as a result of the accident. Emergency responders were called to the scene to assist the young rider and provide medical care.

TASR/Teraz
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