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

Nurses Collapse in Operating Rooms as Slovak University Hospital Struggles with Heatwave Conditions

A nurse collapsed during surgery at the University Hospital Bratislava (UNB) — one of Slovakia's largest public hospital networks — on Monday, as medical staff raised alarms about unbearable working conditions during the current heatwave. Healthcare workers reported having access to drinking water only from century-old taps, and that shower facilities were reserved exclusively for senior academic staff such as associate professors, leaving general nursing and medical staff without adequate relief from the heat. The complaints highlight longstanding infrastructure deficiencies at UNB, which serves as a major teaching and treatment facility in the Slovak capital. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of working conditions in Slovakia's public healthcare sector, where staff shortages and aging facilities have been persistent concerns.

SME
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Society

Slovak Father Shares Life Raising Autistic Daughter, Calls for Greater Awareness

A Slovak father of two daughters, one of whom has autism, is speaking out about the daily challenges his family faces and calling on others to be more mindful of the impact their words can have. Rastislav Bakala, whose six-year-old younger daughter has autism and communicates very little, says he and his wife have found a way to embrace the best of both worlds in raising their children. He warns that other parents and grandparents often fail to realize how hurtful their offhand remarks can be to families dealing with the condition. "Imagine a parent who deals with a child in crisis from morning to evening," Bakala said, underscoring the emotional weight carried by families of autistic children. He emphasized that the world belongs to autistic people just as much as to anyone else, and that society should treat them accordingly. Autism spectrum disorder affects children's ability to communicate and interact socially, and families raising autistic children in Slovakia frequently report a lack of public understanding and institutional support.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Family Raises €1.8 Million for Critically Ill Child But Still Halfway to Target

The family of a young Slovak boy named Vilko is halfway toward their fundraising goal to save his life, having collected €1.8 million so far. Vilko's cells have been prepared and are ready for laboratory testing as part of the development of a personalized treatment. His father has again taken to traveling across Slovakia to raise awareness and funds for the campaign. Despite the progress, the family remains far from the total amount needed to complete the treatment, and the effort to save the boy continues.

Aktuality
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Society

Ten Finalists Compete for Slovakia's Tree of the Year Title

Ten trees from across Slovakia are competing for the title of Tree of the Year in the country's annual public poll, which this year introduces a change to its voting process. The competition, a popular tradition that celebrates notable and beloved trees across the country, invites the public to vote for their favorite finalist from among candidates nominated from different regions of Slovakia. The new voting format marks a departure from previous editions of the contest, though the core purpose of the event — highlighting the cultural, natural, and local significance of exceptional trees — remains unchanged.

SME
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Society

High Schools in Prešov Region to Showcase Programs at Summer Events

Secondary schools in the Prešov region of northeastern Slovakia will present their educational programs and course offerings to prospective students this summer, organizers announced. The events are designed to give students and families a closer look at the range of vocational and academic programs available across the region's high schools. The initiative reflects growing interest in modern education options among young people in the area, as schools compete to attract students by highlighting updated curricula and new fields of study.

Korzár
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Society

Hungarian Nurse Allegedly Stole Human Remains From Hospitals and Graves, Including in Slovakia

A Hungarian nursing worker has been implicated in the illegal acquisition of human remains obtained from hospitals and, according to investigators, from graves robbed in Slovakia as well. The case raises serious concerns about the security of both medical facilities and burial sites across the region. Authorities are investigating how the remains were obtained and whether additional locations were targeted. The cross-border nature of the alleged crimes has drawn attention from Slovak law enforcement, as the suspect reportedly sourced remains from Slovak cemeteries in addition to Hungarian medical institutions.

Korzár
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Society

Prešov Region Launches Summer Bus Route Connecting to Train Service in Polish Muszyna

The Prešov self-governing region in northeastern Slovakia is launching a seasonal summer bus line designed to connect passengers with a train service in Muszyna, a town just across the border in southern Poland. The cross-border route is aimed at boosting tourism between the two neighboring regions, which share a common mountain landscape along the Carpathian border. The Prešov region, one of Slovakia's eight administrative regions, has been seeking to develop transport links with Poland as part of broader efforts to promote cross-border travel and economic cooperation.

Korzár
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Society

Survey: 80 Percent of Slovaks Have Used Artificial Intelligence, Viewing It as Both Opportunity and Threat

A large majority of Slovakia's population has already used artificial intelligence tools, according to a new survey, though public attitudes toward the technology remain deeply divided. Around 80 percent of Slovaks reported having used AI in some form, reflecting the rapid spread of tools such as chatbots and AI-assisted applications into everyday life. Despite widespread adoption, Slovaks hold contradictory views on the technology — recognizing its potential as an opportunity for productivity and innovation while simultaneously expressing concern about the risks it poses, including threats to employment, privacy, and the spread of misinformation. The survey highlights a broader tension seen across Europe as AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily routines, with citizens and policymakers alike grappling with how to harness its benefits while managing its dangers.

SME
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Society

Air Conditioning Failures Hit Prešov City Buses During Heatwave

Passengers on public buses in Prešov, a city in northeastern Slovakia, are facing uncomfortable journeys as air conditioning systems break down during a period of high temperatures. In some vehicles, air conditioning is absent altogether. In response, the city's public transport operator has been issuing drink vouchers to drivers as a partial measure to cope with the heat.

Korzár
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Society

Delivery Driver Who Injured Pedestrian While Reversing on Pavement Fails to Prove Innocence in Court

A delivery driver who struck and injured a pedestrian while reversing onto a pavement has been found guilty by a Slovak court, despite his attempts to contest the ruling. The driver had reversed his vehicle onto a footpath, hitting a woman and causing her injury. He challenged the verdict, but the court rejected his claim of innocence. However, his appeal did result in a reduced sentence, with the higher court handing down a more lenient penalty than originally imposed.

Korzár
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Society

Dispute Over Štefánička Chalet Escalates as Cameras Installed, Key Parties Absent

A long-running dispute over a mountain chalet known as Štefánička reached a new flashpoint after surveillance cameras were installed at the property, while two of the central figures in the conflict failed to appear at the scene. One of the parties involved, a man identified as Hvizdák, stated he is waiting for the matter to be resolved through the courts. The nature of the dispute — likely involving ownership or usage rights over the chalet — has yet to be settled legally, and the installation of cameras suggests tensions between the competing parties remain high. The absence of Hvizdák and a woman identified as Imriščáková during the incident indicates the conflict is being increasingly handled through legal and institutional channels rather than direct confrontation.

Korzár
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Society

Woman Dies in Truck-Car Collision Near Žabokreky nad Nitrou

A woman driver was killed in a collision between a truck and a passenger car near the village of Žabokreky nad Nitrou, in western Slovakia. The crash claimed the life of the car's driver at the scene. Slovak police have opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of causing death, and authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances and cause of the accident.

Aktuality
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Society

Artillery Shell Found in Slovak Forest Safely Defused by Bomb Disposal Expert

A man discovered an artillery shell in a forest in eastern Slovakia, prompting the deployment of a bomb disposal technician who safely neutralized the munition on site. The shell is believed to be wartime ammunition, a not uncommon find in Slovak forests and fields, where unexploded ordnance from World War II continues to surface decades after the conflict ended. Authorities regularly caution the public never to handle such discoveries, as old military munitions remain highly dangerous regardless of their age.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Doctor Treated Patients While Drunk, Blew Over 1.8 Promille Alcohol

A doctor in Slovakia was found to have been treating patients while heavily intoxicated, registering a blood alcohol level exceeding 1.8 promille — more than three times the legal limit for driving. Police arrested the physician and detained him in a police cell. Authorities have opened a criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor offense in connection with the incident. A blood alcohol level of 1.8 promille is considered severely impairing, raising serious concerns about patient safety during the time the doctor was on duty.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Cybersecurity Authority Issues Online Safety Advice for Children as Summer Holidays Begin

As Slovakia's two-month summer school holidays get underway, the country's National Security Authority (NBÚ) — the state body responsible for cybersecurity — is urging parents to take steps to protect children from online risks. With less parental supervision during the break, children are expected to spend significantly more time on the internet, raising concerns about exposure to inappropriate content, online scams, and contact with unknown individuals. The NBÚ has issued a set of recommendations to help families navigate the digital environment safely over the summer period.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Slovak Mental Health Platform Warns Summer Can Be Tough for Young People

Slovakia's online mental health service IPčko is urging young people to be aware of the emotional challenges that summer holidays can bring, noting that feelings of loneliness are common during the break. A psychologist with the service emphasized that everyone experiences the summer differently and that there is no single correct way to spend the holidays. She also highlighted that social media presents only a narrow, curated slice of reality, which can distort perceptions and intensify feelings of isolation among young people who compare their experiences to idealized online portrayals. IPčko is a Slovak non-profit platform offering free anonymous psychological support primarily to children and young adults through online chat and messaging channels.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Traveler Shares Struggle with Social Anxiety Abroad in Advice Column

A 24-year-old Slovak woman participating in a Work and Travel program in the United States wrote to a Slovak advice column describing how her summer abroad triggered unexpected social anxiety. The woman said the decision to travel was impulsive — motivated by a desire for change and to step outside her comfort zone — but that reality upon arrival proved far more difficult than anticipated. The column, published by Slovak daily Denník N, addresses the psychological challenges some young people face when living and working independently in a foreign country for the first time.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Parents to Learn Kindergarten Admission Results Wednesday, a Week Early

Parents in Slovakia will find out whether their children have been accepted into kindergartens on Wednesday, a week ahead of the originally scheduled announcement date of July 8. This year, parents submitted applications for 49,935 children to kindergartens across the country. On average, each application listed 1.52 kindergartens as preferences, and 78 percent of all applications were submitted electronically. The earlier release of results gives families more time to make childcare arrangements ahead of the new school year.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Society

Expert Warns Slovak Drivers: Cheap Window Tints Won't Keep Your Car Cool

As summer temperatures rise, a Slovak automotive expert is cautioning drivers against a common and costly mistake: relying on cheap window tinting films to cool their vehicles. Many drivers purchase inexpensive black adhesive films, believing they will block heat, but experts warn these products do little to reduce interior temperatures and can even cause problems, such as impairing visibility or failing to meet legal standards. Quality heat-rejecting films work by blocking infrared radiation, a feature absent in basic tinted products. Drivers who opt for the cheaper option often end up paying twice — first for the ineffective film and then for a proper solution — making it more economical to invest in a certified product from the start. Consumers are advised to look for films specifically rated for infrared and UV rejection, and to have them installed by a professional to ensure both effectiveness and road-legal compliance.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Train Passengers Forced to Walk After Breakdown on Košice-Bratislava Route

Passengers aboard an express train traveling from Košice to Bratislava on Monday evening endured a difficult journey marked by a series of failures. The train, designated Ex 628, first suffered an air conditioning breakdown, leaving passengers sweltering in the carriages. The situation then worsened when the train came to a complete halt, forcing passengers to disembark and continue part of their journey on foot. The incident highlights ongoing reliability concerns with rail travel on one of Slovakia's busiest intercity routes, connecting the country's two largest cities. Rail transport in Slovakia is operated primarily by state-owned ZSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko), and service disruptions on the Košice-Bratislava corridor — a journey of roughly five to six hours — affect a large number of daily commuters and long-distance travelers.

Bratislavak
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