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Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 10:36 · 51 articles added
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Society

Nearly 2,900 Children to Join MINIdigi Digital Moderation Campaign

Nearly 2,900 children will participate in the MINIdigi campaign starting Monday, a program designed to educate young people about digital moderation. The campaign aims to guide children toward using digital technologies with restraint, meaningfully, responsibly, and for genuine enjoyment rather than excessive consumption. The initiative represents part of broader efforts to address children's relationship with digital devices and screen time in an age of increasing technological integration in daily life.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Commentary: Religious Freedom Debates Highlight Tensions in Slovak Society

A Slovak commentator has highlighted the complexities surrounding religious freedom in the country, noting that while many support the principle, its practical implementation often creates complications. The commentary by Ľubomír Jaško suggests that religious liberty requires trust in good intentions and generosity from larger groups toward smaller ones. The piece appears to reference ongoing debates about the registration of new religious communities in Slovakia, where the process of official recognition for religious groups has historically been restrictive and politically sensitive.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak man charged with attempted murder after stabbing neighbor in neck

A Slovak man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing his neighbor in the neck with a knife. The victim managed to reach another neighbor's door seeking help, appearing with the knife still embedded in his neck. Police reported that the suspected attacker was intoxicated at the time of the incident and refused to cooperate with investigators. The case highlights ongoing concerns about alcohol-related violence in residential areas across Slovakia.

Korzár
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Society

Dental Cavities Don't Always Require Immediate Treatment, Slovak Dentists Say

Slovak dental professionals are challenging conventional wisdom about cavity treatment, stating that immediate intervention is not always necessary. The guidance comes as statistics show that 90 percent of adults aged 20 to 64 in Slovakia have dental cavities. While untreated cavities can lead to infections and potentially serious complications including heart disease, dentists emphasize that timing of treatment should be carefully considered rather than rushing into immediate procedures.

Aktuality
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Society

Sister Maria Aquinata Nagyová Dies After Surviving War and Communist Regime

Sister Maria Aquinata Nagyová, a Catholic nun who survived World War II and the communist era in Czechoslovakia, has died. The religious sister lived through the war years and endured Action R, the communist regime's systematic persecution of religious orders and clergy that began in 1950. She dedicated decades of her life to working in various institutions throughout her religious career. Nagyová's life spanned some of the most challenging periods in Slovak and Czechoslovak history, witnessing both wartime upheaval and the suppression of religious life under communist rule.

Bratislavak
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Society

Slovak Fitness Trainer Defends Extreme Exercise Content Against Safety Criticism

Fitness trainer Michal Barbier has responded to criticism that his extreme physical performances could endanger amateur enthusiasts who follow his content. Barbier, who gained attention through dramatic feats including acrobatics and one-handed handstands, describes these as "circus elements" designed to attract viewers - calling them clickbait with useful content. The trainer, who has built a following through internet platforms, rejected concerns from movement experts that fitness influencers who became famous online could pose risks to their followers. Barbier stated he has always tried to create content responsibly, though he acknowledged he would provide more detailed guidance on certain exercises like deep squats if creating content today.

Dennik N
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Society

Nutritionist Advises 55-Year-Old Slovak Woman on Transitioning to Vegan Diet

A 55-year-old Slovak woman seeking advice on adopting a fully vegan diet received guidance from nutritional expert Markéta Gajdošová through the Denník N newspaper's advice column. The woman, identified as Janka, had already eliminated meat from her diet for humanitarian reasons but continued consuming dairy products until recently. Gajdošová confirmed that veganism can be a healthy dietary approach at any age, including for people in their fifties. However, the nutritionist cautioned that certain considerations and precautions are necessary when making this dietary transition, particularly for older adults who may have specific nutritional needs that require careful planning to meet through plant-based sources alone.

Dennik N
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Society

Construction of Slovakia's Emergency Medical Stations in Chaos as Key Contractor Cancels Contract

A major construction project to build emergency medical stations across Slovakia has fallen into disarray after the key contractor terminated their contract, leaving uncertainty about how many facilities have actually been completed. The project is funded by over 33 million euros from Slovakia's post-pandemic recovery plan, which uses European Union funds allocated to help member states modernize their infrastructure and services after COVID-19. The contractor's withdrawal threatens to delay the expansion of emergency medical services infrastructure, though the exact scope of the disruption remains unclear as officials have not disclosed how many stations were successfully built before the contract cancellation.

SME
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Society

Psychologist Warns Against Body Shaming and Weight-Based Comments in Slovakia

A Slovak psychologist specializing in eating disorders has spoken out against fat-shaming practices, including mocking or insulting people for being overweight or obese. Daniela Halámková from the organization Chuť žiť (Desire to Live), which focuses on eating disorders, discussed the harmful effects of body shaming in an interview. The discussion gained prominence after former television presenter Adriana Kneissl Poláková made controversial comments about "fat brains" on a podcast hosted by Adela Vinczeová. Halámková emphasized that people should avoid praising others for weight loss and be mindful of what they wish for others, particularly around celebrations like birthdays, highlighting the psychological impact of weight-focused commentary on individuals struggling with body image and eating disorders.

Dennik N
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Society

Police rescue dehydrated toddler trapped in locked car in eastern Slovakia

Police officers in Štítnik, a town in eastern Slovakia, rescued a 22-month-old child who had been trapped inside a locked vehicle for more than 90 minutes. The toddler was found in a dehydrated and distressed state, prompting officers to break the car window to free the child. The incident highlights the dangers of leaving young children unattended in vehicles, particularly during warmer weather when temperatures inside cars can rise rapidly to life-threatening levels.

Aktuality
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Society

SOS group reports 38 serious cases of student aggression in Slovak schools

A specialized support group called SOS has documented 38 serious cases of aggressive behavior among students in Slovak schools. The SOS group, whose name stands for "Spoločné osobné stretnutia" (Joint Personal Meetings), was established after it became clear that schools were unable to handle the most severe cases of student aggression on their own. The initiative represents an effort to provide additional support and resources to educational institutions struggling with increasingly challenging behavioral issues among students.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

State Health Insurer Pays Most Hospitals Based on Actual Performance

Slovakia's state health insurance company has shifted to paying the majority of hospitals based on their actual medical services performed, representing a fundamental change in healthcare financing. The new performance-based payment system has increased year-over-year by more than 100 percent. This represents a significant departure from the previous system where hospitals received payments based on planned capacity rather than actual work performed, potentially improving efficiency and quality of care in Slovakia's public healthcare system.

SME
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Society

Parliamentary Speaker Visits Senior Care Home During National Volunteer Week

Peter Žiga, Speaker of Slovakia's National Council parliament, visited a senior care home as part of National Volunteer Week activities. During his visit, Žiga emphasized that assistance for elderly residents extends beyond basic physical care to include meaningful conversation and human connection. The visit highlighted the importance of volunteer work in supporting Slovakia's aging population and the role of community engagement in eldercare.

SME
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Society

Rapper Rendy Performs Song About Nazi Leader at Anti-Drug Event

Slovak rapper Rendy performed a song referencing a Nazi leader during an anti-drug roadshow organized by a government ministry. The ministry reportedly commissioned Rendy's performance for the event. The incident has drawn attention for the inappropriate nature of performing content with Nazi references at a government-sponsored public health campaign.

Bratislavak
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Society

Banning Social Media Teaches Children to Lie, Says Estonian Expert

An Estonian media expert has warned that banning children from social media platforms teaches them to become deceptive rather than addressing the underlying issues with online behavior. Maria Murumaa-Mengel argues that social media serves as a learning space where people observe behavioral norms, and while users may encounter toxic content, creating boundaries and modeling better behavior provides a healthier alternative to outright prohibition. The expert is scheduled to speak at the Eduforum conference in Bratislava in October, where she will likely expand on approaches to digital literacy and responsible social media use among young people.

Dennik N
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Society

One in Five Slovak Adults Experience Loneliness, New Research Shows

Slovakia faces a significant loneliness epidemic, with one in five adults experiencing social isolation, according to new research from the Disconnect study. The research identified particularly vulnerable groups, including people over 64 years old, individuals with lower education levels, and women, who experience loneliness more frequently than men. The findings highlight a long-term social challenge facing Slovak society, as chronic loneliness can have serious implications for both mental and physical health, as well as broader social cohesion.

SME
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Society

New Rest Stop 'Vláčik' Opens on Prešov-Sigord Railway Cycling Path

A new rest stop called 'Vláčik' has opened along the railway cycling path connecting Prešov to Sigord in eastern Slovakia. The facility will provide cyclists and visitors with a place to rest along the converted railway route. To mark the opening, the first 50 visitors will receive gift packages as part of the launch celebration.

Korzár
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Society

Problem-plagued hospital bridge opens after costing 2.1 million euros

A controversial bridge at a Slovak hospital has been put into operation after construction costs reached 2.1 million euros. Health Minister Kamil Šaško officially opened the facility, which had previously faced various problems during its development. The bridge project, which connects hospital facilities, represents a significant infrastructure investment in the Slovak healthcare system.

Korzár
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Society

Unvaccinated Preschool Boy Dies of Diphtheria in Czech Republic

A preschool-aged boy died of diphtheria in the Czech Republic, marking a rare occurrence of the disease in the country. The child was unvaccinated against the bacterial infection, which is largely preventable through routine childhood immunization. Health authorities have isolated the boy's family in hospital as a precautionary measure and conducted rapid contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the disease. While public health officials say the immediate risk to the broader public remains very low due to swift contact identification, the case has caused significant concern among medical experts. Health professionals are now urging parents to check their children's vaccination records to ensure they are up to date with routine immunizations that protect against diphtheria and other preventable diseases.

SMEAktuality
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