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Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 21:36 · 34 articles added
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Society

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Society

Mental Health Organization Emphasizes Self-Care During Slovak Academic Week

A Slovak mental health organization has urged students to prioritize psychological well-being during the ongoing academic week, emphasizing that mental self-care is as important as academic preparation. The organization highlighted fundamental practices that are often difficult to maintain during intensive study periods, including adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and maintaining contact with family and friends. The appeal comes as Slovak students navigate demanding academic schedules that can negatively impact their mental health and overall well-being.

Bratislavský kraj
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Society

Stará Ľubovňa Plans to Expand Rental Housing with Purchase of Two Apartment Buildings

The municipal government of Stará Ľubovňa, a town in northeastern Slovakia, announced plans to purchase two apartment buildings to expand rental housing options for residents. The municipality intends to finance the acquisition through a combination of government subsidies and bank loans. The move represents part of broader efforts by Slovak municipalities to address housing shortages and provide affordable rental accommodations for local residents who cannot afford to purchase homes in the current market.

Korzár
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Society

Suspicious Individuals Offering Asphalt Services Spotted in Slovak Village

Authorities in Dubová, a village in Slovakia, have issued a warning about suspicious individuals approaching residents and offering asphalt paving services. The local government has alerted the community to be cautious of these door-to-door solicitors, who are reportedly moving through the area targeting homeowners with unsolicited offers for road or driveway work. Such warnings are common in Slovakia as fraudulent contractors often use high-pressure tactics to overcharge residents for poor-quality work or demand payment upfront before disappearing without completing any services.

Bratislavak
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Society

Advice Column: Reader Seeks Help Moving On From Ex-Partner's Social Media

A reader has written to Denník N's advice column seeking help with a personal relationship issue. The person describes struggling to stop checking their former partner's social media accounts following a breakup that occurred several months ago. The relationship ended when the partner decided to end things after they had gradually grown apart, rather than through any dramatic confrontation. Despite understanding rationally that the relationship is over, the reader admits to feeling compelled to continue monitoring their ex-partner's online activity and feels unable to manage this behavior alone.

Dennik N
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Society

Hantavirus Scare on Cruise Ship Does Not Signal New Pandemic Threat

Passengers aboard the cruise ship Hondius are being monitored after concerns emerged about a potential hantavirus outbreak, though health experts say the virus does not pose a pandemic threat. Hantavirus, which is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine, can cause serious respiratory illness but does not spread easily between humans. The monitoring of Hondius passengers appears to be a precautionary measure following the detection of the virus, though the circumstances of how passengers may have been exposed remain unclear.

SME
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Society

Slovakia's Social Insurance Agency to Send Pension Forecasts to 3.5 Million Citizens

Slovakia's Social Insurance Agency will distribute pension forecasts to 3.5 million adult citizens in May, providing projections of their future retirement benefits from both the first and second pension pillars. The recipients will range from people in their twenties to those just one or two years away from retirement. The forecasts will include expected retirement ages alongside projected pension amounts. Five experts have provided guidance on how to interpret the numbers in these pension projections, noting that the forecasts become more accurate for those closer to retirement age. Slovakia operates a multi-pillar pension system where the first pillar is a state-managed pay-as-you-go system, while the second pillar consists of privately managed individual accounts that workers can opt into.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Fitness Expert Challenges Protein Supplement Marketing Claims

Maroš Krivosudský, a Slovak fitness expert who owns his own nutrition supplement brand, is challenging widespread social media claims that athletic performance requires immediate post-workout protein consumption and extensive supplement use. Krivosudský argues that contrary to popular fitness marketing, athletes don't need to consume protein drinks within an hour of training, and those with proper diets may not need supplements at all. His position counters the prevalent social media narrative suggesting that exercise without supplementation is essentially pointless, with Krivosudský stating that the truth leans heavily toward supplements being far less essential than commonly promoted.

Dennik N
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Society

Police Investigate Vending Machine Selling Chemical Substances Disguised as Candy in Central Poprad

A suspicious vending machine in central Poprad is selling chemical substances packaged to resemble candy, prompting a police investigation. Officers visited the operation in early March and collected samples, which have been sent to a laboratory for expert analysis. Despite the ongoing investigation, the vending machine continues to operate and sell the substances. The case highlights concerns about potentially dangerous or illegal substances being marketed deceptively in public spaces.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovakia's Oldest Bookstore in Poprad to Close After Community Campaign Falls Short

The oldest bookstore in Poprad, a city in northern Slovakia, is closing its doors permanently after a community fundraising campaign failed to generate sufficient funds to keep the business operating. The closure has deeply affected the local community and book lovers throughout the region. The bookstore's owners established a transparent public account to allow supporters to contribute toward what they described as a 'dignified closure' of the establishment's long-running story. Despite the public appeal and emotional response from residents, the financial support was insufficient to prevent the historic bookstore from shutting down.

Bratislavak
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Society

Slovak TV Host's Diet Book Draws Expert Criticism for Harmful Advice

Former Slovak television presenter Adriana Kneissl Poláková has faced criticism from health experts over her bestselling diet book "Do You Want to Lose Weight? Eat Up," which contains what professionals describe as problematic advice. The book, which details how she dramatically lost weight, has become one of the country's top sellers but includes controversial recommendations such as avoiding food when drinking alcohol and restricting daily intake to just 1,200 calories across three meals. Experts contacted by Denník N expressed particular concern about Kneissl's language referring to obese people as having "fat brains" and her overly strict dietary restrictions. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about celebrity diet advice and its potential health risks, as unqualified public figures continue to promote weight loss methods that may conflict with established medical guidance.

Dennik N
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Society

Tetanus Bacteria Found Even on Shoe Soles, Experts Warn Disease Remains Present Threat

Medical experts are warning that tetanus remains a present-day health threat, with the bacteria that causes the potentially fatal disease found even on the soles of shoes. The specialists emphasize that tetanus is not a disease of the past, despite effective prevention methods being available. The bacteria, which can cause severe muscle spasms and death if untreated, persists in everyday environments and poses an ongoing risk to public health.

SME
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Society

Woman receives reduced sentence for fatal stabbing after drinking together with victim

A Slovak court reduced the prison sentence for a woman who fatally stabbed a man in the abdomen after they had been drinking alcohol together. The woman originally faced up to twenty years in prison for murder, but received a lighter sentence due to a serious illness. The court took her medical condition into consideration when determining the final punishment for the killing.

Korzár
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Society

Women Report Humiliation and Dismissal of Pain in Slovak Gynecological Clinics

Women in Slovakia are speaking out about humiliating treatment in gynecological clinics, where doctors dismiss their pain and send them for psychiatric evaluation instead of addressing their medical concerns. The insensitive comments from medical professionals leave female patients feeling powerless during their visits. This pattern of treatment reflects broader issues with how women's health complaints are handled within Slovakia's healthcare system, where physical symptoms are often attributed to psychological causes rather than being properly investigated.

SME
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Society

Slovak Secondary School Admissions Tests Conclude, Results Due by May 21

Future secondary school students completed entrance examinations for non-talent based programs on Tuesday, closing the first round of admissions tests for the 2026/27 academic year. Schools now have until May 21 to evaluate the tests and upload binding lists of applicants to the ePrihlášky system, including both those who met admission criteria and those who fell short of requirements. The ePrihlášky system is Slovakia's centralized platform for secondary school applications, which streamlines the admissions process across the country's secondary education institutions.

Dennik N
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Society

Lidl Issues Recall Warning for Popular Ice Cream Product Over Foreign Object Risk

German discount supermarket chain Lidl has issued a product recall for peanut ice cream bars due to the risk of foreign objects being present in the product. The retailer withdrew the frozen dessert items from its stores as a precautionary measure to protect consumer safety. Lidl operates numerous stores across Slovakia and regularly issues product recalls when safety concerns arise, following standard food safety protocols established by European Union regulations.

Bratislavak
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Society

Health Experts Remind Adults Not to Forget Tetanus Vaccination Boosters

Health experts in Slovakia are reminding adults about the importance of maintaining current tetanus vaccinations through regular booster shots. Tetanus is a serious toxin-mediated disease that affects the nervous system, caused by bacteria that can enter the body through wounds and cuts. The disease can cause severe muscle spasms and potentially fatal complications if left untreated. While tetanus vaccination is part of routine childhood immunization programs, adults often overlook the need for periodic booster shots, typically required every 10 years, to maintain immunity against this preventable but dangerous infection.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Elementary and Secondary School Teachers to Receive ChatGPT Licenses

Elementary and secondary school teachers in Slovakia will receive licenses to use the ChatGPT artificial intelligence model. The announcement represents a significant step in integrating AI technology into the country's educational system, though specific details about the implementation timeline, scope of the program, and how the licenses will be distributed have not yet been disclosed.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Two robbers who attacked and injured teenager with tree branch face prison sentences

Police have apprehended two suspects who robbed and assaulted a teenager, beating him with a tree branch and causing injuries. The older suspect faces up to eight years in prison, while the younger accomplice could receive a four-year sentence. Slovak authorities successfully tracked down the perpetrators following the violent robbery incident.

Korzár
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Society

Against Diseases and Superstitions: The Beginnings and Consequences of Vaccination

A Slovak media outlet published an examination of the historical origins and societal impact of vaccination programs. The piece explores how vaccination efforts have evolved from their early beginnings to become a cornerstone of modern public health policy, while also addressing persistent misconceptions and superstitions that continue to influence public attitudes toward immunization. The article appears to trace the development of vaccination science and its role in combating both infectious diseases and the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety and efficacy.

SME
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Society

Ombudsman Reports Suspected Violence at Slovak Correctional Facility

Slovakia's ombudsman has reported suspected cases of violence, including slapping and physical punishment, at the correctional facility in Hrnčiarovce nad Parnou. The ombudsman's office conducted monitoring that examined both the alleged violent incidents and the material conditions within the prison. The Public Defender of Rights, Slovakia's ombudsman institution responsible for protecting citizens' rights and investigating complaints against public authorities, regularly inspects detention facilities to ensure compliance with human rights standards and proper treatment of inmates.

SME
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