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Last refreshed: 20/06/2026 10:38 · 48 articles added
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Society

Economist Pakan Says Bratislava's Anonymity Helped Him Navigate Sexual Orientation After Prešov

Economist Pakan stated that he did not think about his sexual orientation while living in Prešov, but that the anonymity of Bratislava helped him in this regard. He noted that hatred is increasing in society. The economist's comments highlight the challenges faced by LGBTI+ individuals in smaller Slovak cities compared to the capital, where greater anonymity can provide more personal freedom to explore one's identity without social scrutiny.

Korzár
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Society

Health Expert Warns Against 'Smartphone Thumb' and 'Tablet Shoulder' from Excessive Device Use

Slovak health experts are warning about physical ailments caused by excessive smartphone and computer use, including conditions dubbed 'smartphone thumb' and 'tablet shoulder.' These repetitive strain injuries result from prolonged typing, scrolling, and device handling that places excessive stress on joints and muscles. Medical professionals explain that constant device use can lead to inflammation and pain in the thumbs, wrists, shoulders, and neck as users maintain unnatural postures for extended periods. The conditions have become increasingly common as digital device usage has surged, particularly among younger users who spend hours daily on smartphones and tablets. Experts recommend taking regular breaks, adjusting device positioning to maintain better posture, and performing stretching exercises to prevent these modern ailments from developing into chronic conditions.

Aktuality
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Society

Respiratory illness cases decline in Banská Bystrica region

The Regional Public Health Office (RÚVZ) in Slovakia's Banská Bystrica region recorded 4,316 cases of acute respiratory illness, representing a rate of 1,223.5 cases per 100,000 people under the care of reporting physicians. The Brezno district reported the highest number of cases, while the Krupina district had the lowest incidence. The health office noted a decrease in respiratory illness cases compared to previous periods.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

New Educational Trail Near Kysak Connects Nature, Learning and Creativity

A new educational trail has opened near the village of Kysak, designed to combine nature exploration with learning opportunities and creative activities. The trail development aims to boost regional tourism in the area, providing visitors with an educational outdoor experience that showcases local natural features while promoting the region as a destination for nature-based tourism.

Korzár
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Society

Israeli man arranged fake residence permits for Košice doctors from abroad

An Israeli citizen has been charged with providing fraudulent residence documentation to foreign doctors working in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city and regional center of eastern Slovakia. The case involves the illegal procurement of false permits that would have allowed medical professionals from other countries to legally reside and work in Slovakia. The prosecution has now transferred the case file to a court in Pezinok, a town near Bratislava that houses a specialized criminal court, indicating the matter will proceed to trial. The scheme highlights ongoing challenges with document fraud in Slovakia's healthcare sector, which has faced persistent staffing shortages that make it attractive for foreign medical workers.

Korzár
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Society

Medical High School Students in Poprad Receive New Gymnasium with Equipment

Students at the Medical High School in Poprad have gained access to a new fully-equipped gymnasium. The facility will serve not only the school's educational needs but will also be made available to local sports clubs and the general public. The gymnasium represents an improvement in sports infrastructure for both the educational institution and the broader community in Poprad, a town in northern Slovakia near the High Tatras mountains.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak Hospitals Criticize New Government Regulation Over Inadequate Funding

Slovak hospitals have criticized a new government regulation, stating it fails to meet their actual financial needs. The primary concern centers on the regulation's inability to adequately cover legally mandated wage increases for healthcare workers. The criticism highlights ongoing funding challenges in Slovakia's healthcare system, where hospitals struggle to balance government-imposed salary requirements with insufficient budget allocations. This dispute reflects broader tensions between healthcare institutions and the government over sustainable financing of the country's public health sector.

SME
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Society

Morning Police Operation Catches Multiple Drunk Drivers in Eastern Slovakia

Police conducted a morning enforcement operation that caught several drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Officers confiscated the driving licenses of multiple violators during the crackdown. The operation represents part of ongoing efforts by Slovak police to combat drunk driving, which remains a persistent traffic safety issue in the country.

Korzár
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Society

Slovak State Loses Legal Dispute Over Reimbursement of Europe's Most Expensive Drug Zolgensma

The Slovak government has lost a legal dispute with health insurance companies Dôvera and Union over the reimbursement of Zolgensma, a gene therapy drug costing two million euros per treatment. The case centered on whether the state-regulated insurance system should cover the costs of what is considered one of the world's most expensive medications. Zolgensma is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects infants and young children. The ruling represents a significant financial and policy setback for Slovakia's healthcare system, which operates through a mixed public-private insurance model where companies like Dôvera and Union provide coverage alongside the state insurer. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between healthcare costs and insurance coverage in Slovakia's medical system, particularly for rare disease treatments that carry extremely high price tags.

SME
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Society

Slovakia Approves Treatment Coverage for Friedreich's Ataxia Patients

Slovakia's Ministry of Health has approved coverage for a treatment for Friedreich's ataxia, making the therapy accessible to patients with this rare genetic disorder in the country. The approval followed negotiations between the Ministry of Health and the drug's registration holder, with both parties reaching an agreement on reimbursement terms through a Managed Entry Agreement (MEA) contract earlier this year. Friedreich's ataxia is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement and coordination, and the availability of covered treatment represents a significant development for Slovak patients with this rare disease.

TASR/Teraz
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Society

Slovak Commentary Reflects on Eastern vs. Western Values Debate

A Slovak commentator reflects on Cold War-era education that portrayed Eastern values as morally superior to those of the West. The author recalls being taught that Eastern countries possessed genuine souls and values, while the West was corrupted by materialism and indifference to human suffering. This educational narrative emphasized the "broad, benevolent Russian soul" and love of homeland as contrasts to Western moral decay. The commentary suggests these teachings have been reconsidered following the opening of borders after the fall of communism.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Commentary Reflects on East-West Cultural Narratives

A Slovak commentator reflected on Cold War-era educational narratives that portrayed Eastern Europe as morally superior to the West. The writer recalled school lessons emphasizing that the East valued peace and authentic values, while the West was portrayed as corrupted by materialism - symbolized by the image of a fur-coated woman stepping over a freezing homeless person. These teachings included praise for the "broad, benevolent Russian soul" and love of homeland. The commentary suggests these narratives shaped generational perspectives that persist following the opening of borders after 1989.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Local Governments Show Interest in Tobacco Waste Disposal System

Local governments in Slovakia have expressed interest in establishing a system for disposing of tobacco product waste. The country continues to delay implementing legislation for such a waste management system, despite apparent municipal support for addressing tobacco-related litter and disposal issues.

SME
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Society

Spring Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines: Recommended Doses and Common Mistakes

Nutritionists advise against immediately discontinuing vitamin D supplements with the arrival of spring, as proper dosing depends on individual blood levels. Dietitian Aleksandra Kureń from the Respo Center recommends a standard daily dose of 2,000 IU for individuals with adequate vitamin D levels between 30-50 ng/ml in their blood. The guidance addresses common misconceptions about seasonal vitamin D supplementation, emphasizing that spring's increased sunlight does not automatically eliminate the need for continued supplementation in all cases.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovakia to Significantly Increase Maternity Benefits by 2027

Slovak families will see substantial improvements to their household budgets in 2027, with the maximum maternity allowance expected to reach approximately 2,500 euros per month. The increase stems from dynamic growth in average wages across the Slovak economy, which directly affects the calculation of maternity benefits since they are tied to earnings levels. The maternity allowance, paid to mothers during their time away from work following childbirth, represents a key component of Slovakia's social support system for families with young children.

Aktuality
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Society

Slovak Woman Shares Personal Struggles with Parenthood Expectations

A Slovak woman has publicly shared her personal struggles with the decision to have children, describing how childhood experiences of having to "earn" her parents' love now leave her questioning whether she can be a good mother. Currently trying to conceive with her partner, she expresses doubt about her parenting abilities despite reassurances from those around her that she would be an ideal mother. The woman recounts how she cared for children during her teenage years and was capable of both entertaining and properly caring for them, yet still harbors uncertainty about her readiness for motherhood.

Dennik N
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Society

Slovak Media Investigation Exposes Sexual Violence Against Models and Hostesses

Slovak newspaper Denník N published an investigation documenting accounts of sexual violence and exploitation experienced by models and hostesses in the industry. The report includes testimonies from women who described being sexually assaulted, drugged, and burned while unconscious. The victims shared experiences of being manipulated by men in positions of power within the modeling and entertainment industry, with some recounting being transported to parties in luxury sports cars in Milan and being coerced into compromising situations. The investigation highlights systemic abuse within Slovakia's modeling and hostess industry, revealing a pattern of exploitation where young women were victimized by individuals who gained their trust before assaulting them.

Dennik N
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Society

Parenting Tips: How to Help Children Burn Off Excess Energy

Parents across Slovakia face a common challenge of helping their children expend their seemingly endless energy reserves. While some children require more physical activity than others, virtually all parents have experienced the difficulty of channeling their children's high energy levels. Local parenting experts are offering suggestions for activities that can help children burn off excess energy effectively. The advice comes as families seek practical solutions for managing active children, particularly during periods when outdoor activities may be limited.

Košice Dnes
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Society

Anthropologist Reflects on 25 Years of Research in Roma Settlement in Eastern Slovakia

Anthropologist Ondřej Skripnik has been conducting research in a Roma settlement in eastern Slovakia for 25 years, documenting life within these marginalized communities. In a recent interview, Skripnik described how he first began his fieldwork in the settlement and reflected on the disappointments he has encountered during his decades of research. His long-term study provides insights into the social conditions and challenges faced by Roma communities, who represent Slovakia's largest ethnic minority and often live in segregated settlements with limited access to basic services and employment opportunities.

Aktuality
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