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Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 15:41 · 49 articles added
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Society

Slovak Ombudsman Submits Special Report Calling for Healthcare Fee Changes

Slovakia's ombudsman has submitted a special report to parliament demanding changes to healthcare fees currently charged to patients. The Public Defender of Rights, an independent parliamentary institution that investigates citizen complaints and monitors human rights compliance, identified problems with the current fee system that requires legislative action. The Health Ministry has promised to implement changes this autumn in response to the ombudsman's findings, though specific details about the proposed reforms have not been disclosed.

SME
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Society

Slovakia's Abandoned Industrial Sites Present Urban Development Challenge

Across Slovakia, abandoned industrial facilities, agricultural complexes, and railway depots dot the landscape as visible reminders of the country's industrial past. These deteriorating structures with broken windows and overgrown weeds have become known in urban planning terminology as brownfields. The sites attract urban explorers who are fascinated by decaying infrastructure, while property developers often avoid them due to the complexity and cost of redevelopment. Brownfields represent a significant challenge for Slovak cities and towns seeking to revitalize unused land while dealing with potential environmental contamination and structural issues inherited from previous industrial use.

Aktuality
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Society

Bee Theme Takes Center Stage in Fifth Annual Envirodesign 2026 Competition

The fifth edition of the Envirodesign 2026 competition has adopted a bee motif as its central theme. The competition was established five years ago when scouts from Senica and students from V. Paulíny-Tóth Elementary School collaborated on an environmental project. The contest has since evolved into an annual event focusing on environmental design and sustainability themes.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Nitra Needs Nearly 1.9 Million Euros for School Building Maintenance

The city of Nitra requires nearly 1.9 million euros for the maintenance of its school buildings. The western Slovak city operates an extensive educational network under its jurisdiction, including 12 elementary schools, two combined elementary and kindergarten facilities, eight kindergarten complexes, one arts school, and a leisure center. The substantial maintenance budget reflects the city's responsibility for maintaining its educational infrastructure across these 24 educational facilities.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Firefighters from Michalovce and Trebišov Practice High-Altitude Rescue Techniques

Firefighters from the eastern Slovak towns of Michalovce and Trebišov conducted specialized training exercises focusing on high-altitude rescue operations. The training session concentrated on climbing techniques essential for emergency responses in elevated locations. Such exercises are part of regular professional development programs designed to maintain firefighters' readiness for complex rescue scenarios that may require working at significant heights, including building rescues, industrial accidents, or natural disaster responses.

Korzár
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Society

School Inspectors Find Teaching Assistants Failing to Support Student Independence

Slovakia's education inspectors have identified significant problems with teaching assistants in classrooms, finding that their mere presence is insufficient to help students with special needs. The inspection revealed that many assistants are not effectively supporting student independence and are failing to collaborate properly with classroom teachers. The findings highlight systemic issues in how Slovakia implements support for students requiring additional assistance, pointing to problems with training and coordination rather than just staffing levels. The inspection results suggest that the country's inclusive education efforts may be undermined by poor execution, despite having personnel in place to help vulnerable students.

SME
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Society

American Journalist Who Covered Czechoslovak Upheavals Recalls Reporting from Behind Iron Curtain

American journalist Jolyon Naegele, who served as a Voice of America correspondent, brought news from communist Czechoslovakia to the free world during some of the country's most pivotal moments. Naegele covered major events including the Candle Demonstration and Palach Week, conducted interviews with key figures Alexander Dubček and Václav Havel, and documented the persecution of dissidents under the totalitarian regime. His interest in Czechoslovakia began as a student, when he wrote a 1971 essay exploring whether there could be such a thing as a "good communist," using Alexander Dubček as an example. The journalist's work provided crucial reporting on the struggles for freedom and human rights in communist-era Czechoslovakia to Western audiences during the Cold War period.

Dennik N
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Society

Hundreds of volunteers collect over 700 bags of waste during Hornád river cleanup

Hundreds of volunteers participated in a cleanup operation along the Hornád river, collecting more than 700 bags of waste from the waterway and its surroundings. The majority of the debris consisted of plastic materials, though volunteers also recovered discarded tires during the environmental initiative. The Hornád is a major river in eastern Slovakia that flows through Košice, the country's second-largest city, before continuing into Hungary.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Youth Turn to Social Media for Connection as Traditional Family Bonds Weaken, Study Shows

Slovak teenagers are increasingly using social media platforms as substitutes for family connections, according to new research findings. Marek Madro from the Institute for Public Affairs explained that young people's need to feel that someone cares about them often matters more than the actual content they consume on social platforms. The research highlights how social media is filling emotional gaps traditionally provided by family environments, suggesting a shift in how young Slovaks seek validation and belonging.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak health authorities warn of dangerous cosmetic products found in nail salons

The Public Health Authority of Slovakia has issued a warning about dangerous gel nail polishes discovered on the Slovak market. The products, found in establishments offering manicure and pedicure services, contain hazardous substances that pose serious health risks to consumers. The Public Health Authority, which monitors product safety and health standards in Slovakia, has classified these cosmetic items as presenting a significant danger to public health.

SMEAktuality
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Society

Prešov vocational school undergoes major modernization after 40 years

A vocational school in Prešov is undergoing significant modernization of its workshops and equipment, marking the first major upgrade in four decades. The modernization project is being financed through European Union structural funds, representing a substantial investment in technical education infrastructure in eastern Slovakia's largest city after Košice.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Health Minister Faces Criticism Over Video Joking About Menstrual Pain

Slovak Health Minister Kamil Šaško has drawn criticism from experts after posting a video in which he made jokes about menstrual pain. Medical professionals and women's rights advocates described the minister's comments as degrading and inappropriate for someone in his position. The Ministry of Health's press office responded to the criticism by stating that Šaško publicly expressed recognition and respect for women and how they manage these challenges. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about how public officials address women's health issues in Slovakia.

Dennik N
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Society

Former Akademický Prešov Students Launch Professional Careers

Several notable figures including Kovalčíková, Farkaš, Forgáč, Koščová, and Husovský began their professional careers at Akademický Prešov, a educational institution in eastern Slovakia. Diana Laciaková, commenting on the development, noted that the normalization period presented the greatest challenges for those starting their careers at the institution.

Korzár
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Society

Acute Respiratory Illness Cases Rising in Slovakia, Young Children Most Affected

Slovakia is experiencing a slight increase in acute respiratory illness cases, according to health authorities. Children under five years old are being affected at the highest rates, while influenza cases are declining. Public health officials are monitoring the trend as respiratory infections continue to circulate among the youngest age groups in the population.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Man Arrested for Illegal Arsenal Including Assault Rifle and Handgun

Slovak police arrested a man for illegally storing a significant weapons cache in his home, including an assault rifle, a submachine gun, and a handgun. The suspect has been charged and placed in police detention with his personal freedom restricted pending further investigation. The discovery represents a serious violation of Slovakia's strict firearms laws, which require proper licensing and registration for all weapons possession.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovakia to ban puppy and kitten mills under new legislation

Slovakia's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is preparing legislation to ban commercial breeding operations known as puppy and kitten mills, where dogs and cats are bred for sale without proper documentation of their origin. The planned amendment to the veterinary care law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. The ministry aims to eliminate unregulated breeding facilities that often operate without appropriate health certifications or breed documentation, addressing animal welfare concerns and ensuring better standards for pet breeding in the country.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing Incident Outside Apartment Building

Police in Trebišov, a town in eastern Slovakia, have charged a local woman with attempted murder following a violent stabbing incident outside an apartment building. Officers were forced to subdue the woman after she allegedly attacked a man with a knife. The suspect, described as a Trebišov resident, was taken into custody after the incident, which police characterized as particularly violent given the nature of the attack and the need for officers to physically restrain the perpetrator.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Ombudsman Urges Parliament to End Healthcare Fee Confusion Affecting Vulnerable Populations

Slovakia's public ombudsman has called on parliament to address the chaotic and unclear healthcare fee system that disproportionately affects the country's most vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, seniors, and chronically ill patients. The ombudsman warned that the confusing payment structure represents a serious violation of constitutional rights, with many pensioners unable to afford medical care due to the opaque fee system. The appeal highlights growing concerns about healthcare accessibility in Slovakia, where unclear regulations around medical fees are creating barriers to treatment for those least able to navigate or afford the complex payment requirements.

Aktuality
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Society

Travel Expert Warns of Rising Flight Prices Due to Hormuz Strait Blockade

A Slovak travel blogger is advising travelers not to delay purchasing flights, particularly to exotic destinations, as tensions in the Middle East drive up aviation fuel costs. Milan, who runs the popular "Milan bez mapy" (Milan Without a Map) travel blog, said he has seen tickets for as low as 15 euros but warned that prices will be affected by the blocked Hormuz Strait, which has disrupted global fuel supplies. The impact on ticket prices will vary depending on how individual airlines purchase their fuel, with some carriers more vulnerable to sudden price spikes than others. The ongoing Middle East conflict is expected to influence vacation costs more broadly, particularly affecting travelers who book their own flights and hotels rather than purchasing package deals through tour operators.

Dennik N
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Society

Biochemist Explains Reality Behind Rapid Weight Loss Claims

A Slovak biochemist has addressed public interest in quick weight loss methods, explaining that rapid weight reduction is not possible on demand and that three-day miracle solutions are unrealistic. The expert's comments come amid widespread interest in fast weight loss techniques, with many people seeking immediate results from diet and fitness programs.

SME
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