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Last refreshed: 27/07/2026 17:42 · 75 articles added
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Society

Slovak Nutritionist Shares Life in Texas: 'You Have to Learn to Love It'

A Slovak nutrition expert living in Texas for the past two years has offered an insider perspective on life in the vast American state, describing it as an amplified version of the United States in every sense. Nikoleta Harshman, who relocated to Texas after marrying an American, painted a picture of a place where everything familiar about America appears on a larger and more extreme scale — echoing a description coined by Czech journalists as 'America on steroids.' Harshman's account reflects the experience of many Europeans who follow partners to the American South and must adapt to a dramatically different culture, climate, and way of life. Her observations offer Slovak readers a candid, first-hand glimpse into daily life in one of the most distinctive and politically conservative U.S. states.

Dennik N
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Society

Activists Raise Funds for Neonatal Unit Renovation in Košice, Decry State Neglect of Hospitals

A group of activists successfully raised money in 2024 to fund the renovation of a neonatal unit at a hospital in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city — a task they argue should be the responsibility of the state. The women behind the fundraising effort expressed frustration at being forced to step in where government funding has fallen short, particularly for basic equipment such as air conditioning units in hospital wards. Despite their anger at the situation, the activists acknowledged they felt compelled to act, warning that if they did not raise the funds privately, the hospital's neonatal department would go without climate control systems. The case highlights a broader tension in Slovakia over chronic underfunding of public healthcare infrastructure, with civil society increasingly filling gaps left by state institutions.

SME
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Society

Slovakia to Require Lower Secondary Education as Condition for Obtaining Driver's License

Slovakia is introducing a new requirement linking the attainment of a driver's license to the completion of lower secondary education. Under the planned change, applicants will need to demonstrate they have achieved at least a lower secondary level of schooling before being eligible to obtain a driving license. The measure is designed to serve as an incentive for young people to remain in education and reach higher levels of academic achievement, rather than dropping out before completing their foundational schooling. Lower secondary education in Slovakia typically corresponds to the completion of the first stage of secondary school, roughly equivalent to middle school in other countries. Authorities hope that tying a practical and socially valued milestone — the ability to drive — to educational attainment will encourage students who might otherwise leave school early to stay enrolled and complete their studies.

SME
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Society

Slovak Craftsman Says Government Restrictions Hit Business Harder Than COVID Itself

A Slovak craftsman has said that government measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately proved more damaging to his business than the pandemic itself, noting he had more work during the height of the health crisis than in the period following the imposition of restrictions. The brief personal account highlights a broader concern shared by many small tradespeople and self-employed workers in Slovakia, who argue that lockdowns and regulatory measures disrupted livelihoods in ways that outlasted the immediate threat of the virus.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Drug Authority Recalls Heart Medication From Market

Slovakia's State Institute for Drug Control, the national authority responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals, has ordered a recall of a heart medication from the market. The institute assured the public that patient care will not be disrupted by the withdrawal, indicating that alternative treatments or supplies remain available. Such recalls are typically initiated when concerns arise over quality, safety, or compliance with regulatory standards.

SME
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Society

Slovak Entrepreneur Relies on Work Abroad to Survive in Rural Eastern Slovakia

A businessman who relocated from a city to a small village in eastern Slovakia says his household could not survive without taking on seasonal or informal work abroad. The case highlights a broader economic reality facing many rural Slovak communities, where local job opportunities and income levels are insufficient to sustain families, pushing residents to seek additional earnings in Western European countries. The reliance on foreign work — often informal or short-term contract jobs known in Slovak as 'fušky' — remains a common survival strategy in economically disadvantaged regions of eastern Slovakia, where wages and local business prospects lag significantly behind the country's western regions.

Korzár
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Society

Truck Driver Rejects Initial Sentence After Crashing Into Bus, Injuring Driver and Passengers

A truck driver who caused a serious collision with a passenger bus, injuring both the bus driver and several passengers, has rejected the initial sentence handed down by a Slovak court. During proceedings, the driver cited work-related stress and a heavy workload as mitigating circumstances in an apparent attempt to reduce his culpability. The court must now proceed to a full hearing after the plea deal or initial penalty was refused. The case highlights ongoing concerns about road safety involving heavy goods vehicles in Slovakia, where fatigue and overwork among commercial drivers have been identified as contributing factors in traffic accidents.

Korzár
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Society

Thousands Attend Bratislava Rainbow Pride; Slovak Band Korben Dallas Faces Backlash

Bratislava's annual Rainbow Pride parade drew thousands of participants, marking another large turnout for Slovakia's main LGBT+ rights event. The Slovak rock band Korben Dallas, which performed at or publicly supported the event, faced a wave of online hate following its involvement. Rainbow Pride Bratislava is the country's largest annual gathering in support of LGBT+ rights and visibility, held in a country where same-sex partnerships have no legal recognition and where public opinion on LGBT+ issues remains divided. The backlash against Korben Dallas reflects the broader social tensions surrounding LGBT+ rights in Slovakia, where conservative and religious values hold significant influence in public discourse.

Bratislavak
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Society

Young Man Stabbed During Celebration in Village Near Prešov

A late-night celebration in the village of Svinia, near the eastern Slovak city of Prešov, turned violent Saturday when an argument between two men ended with one being stabbed. The younger of the two men sustained a stab wound to the chest following the altercation. The incident is under investigation by local authorities.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Official Calls for Greater Community Care for Elderly After Neighbor's Death

A Slovak public figure, Michael Szatmáry, has issued an appeal for people to pay more attention to elderly neighbors living alone, following the death of a woman in his neighborhood who was known for feeding stray cats. The case highlighted the growing issue of isolated senior citizens in Slovak society, who can go unnoticed for extended periods without regular social contact or community support. Szatmáry used the incident to urge the public not to forget about lonely elderly people in their communities, calling for greater awareness and compassion toward seniors who may have little or no family support network. Social isolation among the elderly is a recognized concern across Slovakia, where demographic shifts and urbanization have left many older residents increasingly cut off from regular human contact.

Bratislavak
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Society

Drowned Man Found in Liptov Region, Police Search for Missing Companion

Authorities in the Liptov region of northern Slovakia recovered the body of a drowned man and are now searching for his companion, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Police have not yet released further details about the circumstances of the incident or the identities of those involved. The search is ongoing.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovakia's Home Renovation Grant Scheme Fills Up in 45 Minutes, New Round Planned for September

A Slovak government grant program for home renovations was fully subscribed within 45 minutes of opening, reflecting overwhelming public demand for the funding. The scheme, known as 'Obnov dom mini+' (Renovate Your Home mini+), is administered by the Slovak Environment Inspection Agency (SAŽP), which handles environmental and energy-efficiency funding programs. Due to the rapid uptake, organizers have announced that a new application round will be launched in September, giving unsuccessful applicants another opportunity to apply. The program is part of broader Slovak efforts to encourage homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades, reducing both household energy costs and the country's overall energy consumption.

Bratislavak
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Society

Police Check Finds Two Teenagers Drinking Alcohol in Eastern Slovakia Operation

Slovak police conducted a targeted operation checking alcohol consumption among teenagers, checking nearly 60 people in total. The operation, named 'Adam,' resulted in two minors testing positive for alcohol. The checks were part of a focused enforcement effort aimed at curbing underage drinking, a recurring public health concern in Slovakia.

Korzár
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Society

Man Charged After Shoving Woman Who Broke Her Knee in Fall

Slovak police have charged a man after he shoved a woman to the ground, causing her to break her knee. The victim faces several weeks of medical treatment and recovery. The accused faces up to five years in prison if convicted on the charges filed against him.

Korzár
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Society

Driver Rolls Car Into Ditch With Blood Alcohol Level Four Times Legal Limit

A driver in Slovakia lost control of his vehicle on a curve, overturning it into a roadside ditch while heavily intoxicated. Police breathalyzed the man and recorded a blood alcohol level of 3.2 per mille — more than four times Slovakia's legal limit of 0.0 per mille, which prohibits any alcohol consumption before driving. Officers detained and formally charged the driver following the incident.

Korzár
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Society

Online Seller Scammed Out of Jewelry by Fraudster Posing as Buyer

A Slovak resident fell victim to an online scam after attempting to sell a necklace through the internet, with police now investigating the case. The victim listed the piece of jewelry for sale on an online platform when a prospective buyer made contact. The supposed buyer then used deceptive tactics — described by the victim as 'putting on a performance' — to simulate a money transfer, convincing the seller that payment had been made when in fact no funds were received. Such scams, in which fraudsters pose as buyers and manipulate sellers into believing a payment has gone through, have become increasingly common across Central Europe as online marketplace use has grown. Police have opened an investigation into the incident.

Korzár
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Society

Poprad Hospital Acquires Slovakia's First CT Scanner of Its Kind

A hospital in Poprad, a city in northern Slovakia near the High Tatras mountains, has become the first medical facility in the country to install a new type of CT scanning device that combines both functional and anatomical imaging in a single examination. The dual-capability scanner allows doctors to simultaneously assess how organs and tissues are functioning alongside their physical structure, a combination that previously required separate diagnostic procedures. This type of integrated imaging can significantly improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosing conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, reducing the time patients spend undergoing multiple tests and enabling more targeted treatment planning.

Korzár
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Society

Advice Column: Helping a Teenager Who Turned to Emotional Eating After Family Breakdown

A Slovak parenting advice column addresses the case of a 15-year-old girl who gained significant weight following a stressful period triggered by her parents' separation two years ago. The mother, writing in for guidance, recognizes that her daughter's weight gain is linked to emotional distress — including stress, grief, and a lost sense of security — rather than simple lifestyle choices. The column explores how parents can support children who use food as emotional comfort, without reducing the issue to a matter of diet or appearance.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovakia Marks Name Days for Iľja and Eliáš on July 20

Slovakia observes the name days of Iľja and Eliáš on July 20. In Slovak tradition, name days — celebrating the feast day associated with a person's given name — are widely recognized alongside birthdays. Men bearing these names are traditionally characterized as active and resilient, with the ability to face challenges courageously.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Epidemiologist Highlights Empathy as a Core Medical Virtue

Epidemiologist Rastislav Maďar, a prominent Slovak public health expert, appeared as a guest on the Slovak news outlet SME's 'Dobré ráno' (Good Morning) podcast, where he emphasized empathy as one of the most important qualities a doctor can possess. Maďar, who became widely known in Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic for his role in advising on public health policy, used the platform to discuss the human side of medical practice alongside scientific expertise.

SME
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