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

Martin Courier Firm Hit by Third Break-In, Owner Accuses Police of Inadequate Response

A courier company operating nationwide from its base in Martin, a city in northern Slovakia, has been targeted in yet another serious criminal incident. An unknown perpetrator broke into the company's branch on Thursday evening and stole a large sum of cash collected from cash-on-delivery payments. The theft marks the third such incident at the firm, prompting the owner to publicly criticize police handling of the repeated crimes. The owner's frustration points to broader concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement responses to repeat-target property crime in the region.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Energy Aid Payments Sent to Wrong Recipients Due to Government System Errors

Slovakia's government energy assistance program has again distributed payments incorrectly, with eligible recipients failing to receive funds while the system assigned incorrect income data to applicants. In one documented case, the state incorrectly recorded a citizen's income as €3,800 per month — far above the actual figure — disqualifying her from aid she was legally entitled to receive. The Ministry responsible for the program had previously promised to correct such errors after similar problems emerged in earlier distribution rounds. The Slovak government introduced energy vouchers, known as 'energošeky,' as a relief measure to help lower-income households cope with rising energy costs, which have been a significant burden across Europe in recent years. The program relies on income data drawn from government databases, but repeated mismatches between official records and actual earnings have led to systematic errors — either blocking eligible recipients or misdirecting payments to those who do not qualify. The recurrence of the same technical and administrative failures raises questions about the reliability of Slovakia's social support infrastructure and the government's ability to deliver targeted financial assistance accurately. Affected citizens are left navigating a bureaucratic process to contest incorrect data, often without clear guidance on how to have errors corrected in time to receive payments before the program closes.

SME
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Society

Commentary: Slovak Children's Two-Month School Absence Sparks Debate

A commentary published in Slovak daily Denník N raises the question of what it says about Slovak society that a two-month absence from school has come to be seen as a significant problem. The piece, titled 'Generation Au,' reflects on the state of the education system and broader social conditions that have led to this situation. The commentary does not present new policy developments but highlights ongoing public debate in Slovakia about education standards, school attendance, and the challenges facing younger generations.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Mother of Four Shares Challenges of Managing Summer Holidays as a Single Parent

A Slovak single mother raising four boys has spoken about the particular difficulties of summer school holidays, describing the weeks-long adjustment period her family faces each year when children are home full time. Miroslava Piervolová Hološková, who raises sons aged 17, 15, 13, and 5 on her own, says the first weeks of summer are especially demanding as each child has different needs and routines must be re-established. To manage her teenage son, she negotiated a personal agreement with him, while her younger children require consistent daily structure to cope with the unscheduled months away from school.

Dennik N
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Society

Solo Female Travel and the Double Standard: A Weekend Read

A Slovak woman's experience setting up a dating profile years ago captures a familiar tension: male colleagues advised her not to mention her love of solo travel and independent adventures abroad, warning that men might find her too self-confident or dominant. The anecdote serves as a springboard for a weekend reading selection curated by Vitalia Bella Keň, exploring themes of gender expectations, independence, and how women's autonomy is still quietly discouraged in everyday social settings.

Dennik N
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Society

Health Authority Warns of Water Quality Risks at Several Slovak Lakes and Swimming Areas

Slovakia's Public Health Authority has issued warnings about water quality at a number of lakes and outdoor swimming facilities across the country, cautioning that not all of the hundreds of swimming sites currently in operation are safe for summer bathing. The authority identified specific reservoirs and lakes where deteriorating water quality poses health risks to swimmers. While Slovakia operates hundreds of outdoor swimming facilities during the summer season, officials are urging the public to check water quality reports before swimming, particularly at the flagged locations. Poor water quality at outdoor swimming sites is typically linked to elevated levels of bacteria or toxic algae blooms, which can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and other health problems.

Aktuality
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Society

Heatwaves Strain Slovak Hospitals as Patients Suffer Without Air Conditioning

Extreme heat is disrupting medical care in Slovak hospitals, with patients developing worsening bedsores and children becoming distressed from high temperatures in wards that lack adequate air conditioning. The conditions have prompted concern among healthcare workers and families of patients, who say the heat poses real medical risks beyond mere discomfort. The issue drew public attention after Robert Kaliňák, Slovakia's Defence Minister and a senior member of the ruling Smer party — a left-wing nationalist movement led by former Prime Minister Robert Fico — dismissed questions about the situation in early July. Kaliňák compared hospital conditions to military training exercises, noting that soldiers sweat through drills without air conditioning and that even the government's own cabinet meeting room currently lacks cooling. The remarks were widely criticized by medical staff and patients' relatives as tone-deaf to the serious clinical consequences of heat in hospital settings. Unlike healthy individuals, hospital patients — particularly the elderly, newborns, and those recovering from surgery or serious illness — are far more vulnerable to heat stress. Elevated temperatures can accelerate the deterioration of pressure wounds, complicate medication management, and worsen a range of conditions. Healthcare workers say the comparison to military training fails to account for the fundamental difference between a fit soldier and a critically ill patient, and are calling for greater investment in cooling infrastructure across the country's public hospital network.

Dennik N
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Society

Selected Tatra Peaks Reopened to Slovak Tourist Club Members

Certain peaks in the Tatra Mountains of northern Slovakia have been reopened to members of the Club of Slovak Tourists (KST), a national hiking and outdoor recreation organization, under a set of specified conditions. The exemption allows qualified club members access to routes that had been restricted, though the exact terms of the conditions must be observed. The High Tatras, Slovakia's most prominent mountain range and a major national park, periodically impose access restrictions to protect the fragile alpine environment and ensure visitor safety, particularly following storm damage or ecological concerns.

Korzár
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Society

Falling Rock Injures Young Hiker in Slovak Paradise National Park

A young hiker was injured by a falling rock in Slovenský raj, a national park in eastern Slovakia known for its dramatic gorges and narrow ravines, mountain rescue teams reported. The man sustained injuries to his head and collarbone. Mountain rescuers responded to the scene and provided assistance to the injured tourist. Slovenský raj, which translates as 'Slovak Paradise,' is a popular hiking destination featuring steep ladder-assisted trails through rocky canyon terrain, conditions that can make hikers vulnerable to rockfall.

Korzár
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Society

Social Care Facility in Plavecké Podhradie Hosts 21st Annual Non-Traditional Sports Day

A social care facility in Plavecké Podhradie, a village in the Bratislava region of western Slovakia, held its 21st annual Non-Traditional Sports Day, marking more than two decades of the popular event. The gathering, organized by the ZSS Plavecké Podhradie residential care home, brought together residents for activities designed to promote physical movement, mutual cooperation, social inclusion, and active recreation. The event has become one of the facility's most cherished annual traditions, offering residents an opportunity to engage in adapted sporting activities in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Bratislavský kraj
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Society

Slovak Man with Three Degrees Asks: Why Can't I Find a Partner?

A 36-year-old Bratislava resident with three university degrees and a career in healthcare has written to a Slovak advice column describing his struggles to find a romantic partner. The man, who describes himself as professionally accomplished, says he has grown frustrated with people's attitudes — both at work, where he feels patients overburden an already strained healthcare system, and in his personal life, where he has been unable to form a lasting relationship. He says he no longer finds joy in his work, not because of his salary but because of the people around him.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak University Students in Czech Republic Increasingly Choose Shared Housing to Cut Costs

Slovak students studying at universities in the Czech Republic are turning to shared housing arrangements as a way to reduce living expenses. With rental costs in Czech cities placing pressure on student budgets, co-living has become a practical and popular solution. Experts advise that a well-crafted rental listing should include the exact location, apartment layout, floor area, monthly rent, utility fees, energy costs, security deposit, move-in date, photographs of the property, and clear contact details for the landlord — key information that helps students make informed housing decisions.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Two Intoxicated Men Arrested on Rooftop After Breaking Into Restaurant in Eastern Slovakia

Police arrested two intoxicated men after they broke into a closed restaurant in Moldava nad Bodvou, a town in eastern Slovakia, during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The pair had attempted to steal frozen meat from the establishment, planning to carry it away in bags. Multiple police patrols, including a dog handler unit, were deployed to the scene. Officers eventually located and detained the suspects on the roof of the building.

Aktuality
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Society

Psychologists Offer Tips for Digital Detox as Screen Time Concerns Grow

As concerns over excessive smartphone use and the mental health effects of social media continue to grow, psychologists are offering practical advice on how to establish healthier digital habits. Occupational psychologist Ema Štánerová, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, notes that digital technology is not inherently harmful — it offers real benefits including easier communication, flexible working arrangements, and improved access to education. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, she points out, digital connectivity helped maintain mental well-being by keeping people in contact who would otherwise have been completely isolated. However, Štánerová and other experts caution that excessive or unmanaged screen time, particularly on social media platforms, can take a toll on psychological health. In response, a set of ten practical recommendations has been compiled to help people reduce dependence on their devices and strike a healthier balance between online and offline life.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Disability Commissioner Addresses Lack of Support for Children with Autism

Slovakia's Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has issued a formal statement addressing the long-standing concerns of parents of children with autism, responding to repeated complaints about inadequate support services. The Commissioner, Zuzana Stavrovská, whose office acts as an independent public body overseeing the rights and welfare of people with disabilities in Slovakia, responded to what she described as recurring appeals from families struggling to access care and assistance for their autistic children. The issue highlights a broader challenge within Slovakia's social care system, where families of children with severe developmental conditions frequently report insufficient state support, leaving parents as the primary — and often sole — caregivers without adequate institutional or financial backing.

SME
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Society

Slovak Women Find Passion in Rodeo and Western Riding Despite the Risks

Two Slovak women have built their lives around a love of horses and western riding, a discipline more commonly associated with the American West than Central Europe. One of the women, a veteran rider, has accumulated injuries worthy of a stuntwoman but says her passion for horses has never wavered. Her younger colleague traces her inspiration to Winnetou, the iconic fictional Native American hero from the classic German western films and novels that were enormously popular in Central and Eastern Europe during the communist era. Both women were drawn into the world of western riding and rodeo through those cultural influences, carving out an unusual sporting and lifestyle niche in Slovakia.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Travel Expert: Tourists Have Grown Accustomed to Threats and Travel Everywhere

Slovak travelers have largely adapted to the reality of global security risks and continue to book holidays to destinations worldwide despite ongoing threats, according to a travel industry expert. The shift reflects a broader trend in which awareness of potential dangers has become normalized, with tourists weighing risks differently than in previous years. Travel demand in Slovakia has remained robust, with holidaymakers choosing destinations across Europe and beyond without significant deterrence from security concerns.

SME
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Society

Political Violence Against Women in Slovakia Deters Female Participation in Politics, Expert Warns

Violence and harassment targeting female politicians in Slovakia is increasing and discouraging women from entering public life, a political scientist has warned. Political analyst Mesochoritisová said that failure to address such violence is one of the key mechanisms by which women are effectively excluded from public affairs. The warning highlights a broader concern about gender representation in Slovak politics, where women remain significantly underrepresented in elected office and leadership positions. Experts note that when intimidation and abuse go unaddressed by institutions or political parties, it sends a signal that politics is an unwelcoming or unsafe space for women, reinforcing structural barriers to equal participation.

SME
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Society

Firefighters Battle Grain Field Blaze Near Slovakia's Pohoda Festival Site

Firefighters responded to a grain field fire in Trenčianske Stankovce, a village in western Slovakia, on Wednesday, just as one of the country's largest outdoor music festivals was getting underway nearby. The blaze broke out in a field close to Trenčín Airport, which serves as the venue for the Pohoda Festival — a major annual music and arts event that opened its gates the same day. Firefighters worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further toward the festival grounds.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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