Police in Svidník have charged two men for failing to pay child support, with their combined debt reaching tens of thousands of euros. Both defendants are being prosecuted while remaining at liberty rather than in custody. The case highlights ongoing enforcement challenges with child support obligations in Slovakia, where non-payment can result in criminal charges when debts accumulate to substantial amounts.
The Tatra Mountains have reopened to tourists following the end of the seasonal closure period. The mountain range, which is temporarily closed to visitors each year during sensitive wildlife periods, is now accessible again to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, the existing visitor regulations remain unchanged, meaning certain restrictions on access and activities in the high-altitude areas continue to apply. The Tatras, located on Slovakia's border with Poland, are the country's premier mountain destination and home to protected wildlife that requires careful management of human access throughout the year.
A public discussion about maintaining passion for medicine will take place in Bratislava on June 23, 2026. The event will feature three prominent doctors - Norbert Moravanský, Eva Kušíková, and Jan Trachta - discussing how medical professionals can preserve their enthusiasm for their work despite challenges such as fatigue, exhaustion, and self-doubt. The discussion aims to explore what motivates doctors to continue their practice and whether viewing medicine as service to people is sufficient motivation during difficult periods.
Six major Slovak environmental organizations have called for the revision and expansion of a proposed amendment to the country's nature protection law. The groups—Aevis, My sme les (We are the Forest), Prales (Primeval Forest), WWF Slovakia, SOS/BirdLife Slovakia, and Zelená väčšina (Green Majority)—argue that the Environment Ministry's proposed changes address issues they have been highlighting for years. The organizations believe the current draft of the amendment requires substantial reworking to adequately address long-standing environmental protection concerns in Slovakia.
A group of men armed with sticks intimidated a woman and child while making death threats against them in an incident now under police investigation. The threatening behavior included verbal threats about killing the victims. Slovak police have opened a case to investigate the assault and intimidation charges stemming from the incident.
Police are investigating an incident in which a group of men allegedly intimidated a woman and child using clubs. The confrontation reportedly included death threats made against the victims. The case is now under police investigation, though authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or the identities of those involved.
A growing number of young Czechs are abandoning homeownership as a life goal and choosing to spend their money on travel instead, according to new research on generational financial priorities. The majority of young people view property ownership as significantly less achievable than it was for their parents' generation, leading some to postpone homebuying plans while others have given up on the goal entirely. The shift reflects changing attitudes toward money management among Czech youth, who are increasingly focusing on experiences like travel rather than traditional investments in real estate. This generational divide highlights the impact of rising housing costs and changing economic conditions on young adults' financial planning and life priorities.
Slovak dermatologists have addressed widespread misconceptions about sunscreen use, dispelling myths that these products disrupt hormones or cause coral bleaching. Health experts emphasize that common beliefs about sunscreen - including the notion that a single package is sufficient for an entire vacation - are inaccurate and potentially harmful to public health. The clarification comes as summer approaches and proper sun protection becomes increasingly important for preventing skin damage and related health issues.
Students in Bardejov, a town in eastern Slovakia, have acquired a new electric bicycle to support their volunteer work. The students are using the e-bike to assist with various charitable activities, including helping children and providing support at the local hospital. The initiative demonstrates how young people in smaller Slovak communities are finding innovative ways to contribute to social causes and community service.
Fitness trainer Oliva emphasized that consistent strength training is essential for maintaining the ability to run and cycle without pain decades into the future. The trainer argued that regular, sustained exercise routines provide greater health benefits than sporadic intense workout sessions, describing consistent training as more valuable than occasional heroic efforts in the gym.
Rebecca Lužová, a Slovak woman who lost her voice five years ago due to a medical condition, was ejected from a public bus by a driver who demanded she "speak up or get out." Lužová has been living without the ability to speak after developing a serious illness that began with persistent coughing and breathing difficulties, taking approximately a year to diagnose. Her condition is irreversible, leaving her unable to communicate verbally. The incident highlights the challenges faced by people with invisible disabilities in Slovakia, where individuals may appear healthy but struggle with significant impairments that are not immediately apparent to others. Lužová's experience on public transport demonstrates the discrimination and lack of understanding that people with speech disabilities often encounter in daily life.
Sandra Sviteková, creator of the popular Slovak educational YouTube channel "Dejepis inak" (History Differently), published a video rejecting the notion that people should dictate how others should look. In the video, she openly discussed her own experiences with obesity and described a period when she had a well-defined physique but suffered psychologically. Sviteková recounted how a nurse once told her as a child that her veins were surrounded by fat. The video appeared to be a response to recent comments made by former TV presenter Adriana Kneissl Poláková during an interview with Adela Vinczeová, where Poláková discussed weight loss despite not being an expert on the topic. Sviteková's channel, which focuses on making history education more accessible and engaging, has gained significant popularity in Slovakia for its creative approach to teaching historical topics.
Slovak apartment owners are experiencing mixed results as the country implements a new energy billing system, with many seeing surprisingly lower energy costs but facing significant confusion due to a recent Constitutional Court ruling. The court's decision has created chaos in the rules governing how heating costs are calculated and distributed among residents in apartment buildings. While the lower energy prices have provided relief to property owners, the legal uncertainty surrounding cost allocation methods is complicating the billing process for building administrators and residents alike. The Constitutional Court, Slovakia's highest authority on constitutional matters, appears to have issued a ruling that conflicts with existing regulations on how shared heating expenses should be divided among apartment units, leaving property managers unclear about proper billing procedures.
A 36-year-old Slovak man has written to an advice column seeking help with self-confidence and dating difficulties stemming from body image issues. The man, who describes himself as single and unsuccessful in long-term relationships, reports that women typically lose interest in him or view him only as a friend. He attributes his struggles to problems with his physical appearance that have persisted since puberty, describing himself as never being athletic and having a larger build. His letter highlights broader social issues around male body image and self-esteem that can impact romantic relationships.
A generational shift is transforming how young people in Slovakia consume media, with traditional reading giving way to audio and video content. Latest trends show young Slovaks are reading significantly less while increasingly turning to headphones and screens for information and entertainment. Podcasts are evolving beyond simple audio formats, becoming hybrid content that combines elements of radio, video platforms and television. Slovakia is keeping pace with this global transformation in media consumption habits, reflecting broader changes in how younger generations engage with information and cultural content.
Emergency room doctors in Slovakia are treating drug-intoxicated teenagers every second day, with the country leading Europe in synthetic cannabinoid use among young people. The head of an emergency department reported the alarming frequency of cases involving synthetic drugs, which have become increasingly popular among Slovak youth. The synthetic cannabinoids, often marketed as legal alternatives to cannabis, pose significant health risks and have led to a surge in hospital admissions. In Banská Bystrica and other Slovak cities, young people gather in public areas where alcohol and cigarettes are readily available, though many deny using illegal substances when questioned. The crisis highlights Slovakia's struggle with youth substance abuse, particularly involving synthetic drugs that are often more dangerous than traditional narcotics due to their unpredictable chemical composition and potency.
Young people in Slovakia significantly overestimate how many of their peers drink alcohol and smoke, creating a dangerous social pressure that increases their own risk of substance use, according to psychologist Oľga Orosová, who specializes in drug use prevention research. The researcher, who studies factors behind drug use and prevention effectiveness, criticized one-off anti-drug campaigns for failing to understand their target audiences. Orosová's findings suggest that young people's misconceptions about what is normal behavior among their age group can drive them toward risky substance use, highlighting the need for more targeted and evidence-based prevention approaches in Slovakia.
A Slovak university graduate found himself serving as a military contractor and ultimately imprisoned in the United States after becoming entangled in what he describes as an unintended contractual arrangement. The individual claims he never formally signed any agreement but nevertheless became bound to serve as a contractor, leading to circumstances that resulted in his incarceration in an American prison. The case highlights the complex legal and contractual pitfalls that can ensnare individuals in international military contracting arrangements.
Slovak authorities have ordered the recall of Zlatíčko and Saguaro brand baby waters from store shelves due to excessive levels of cultivatable microorganisms that exceed safety limits. The recall affects infant drinking water products that failed to meet microbiological safety standards required for products intended for babies and young children. Baby water products are specially treated and regulated to ensure they meet strict purity standards for infant consumption, as babies' immune systems are more vulnerable to bacterial contamination than adults.
A health expert has highlighted that drinking water alone is not enough to meet the body's nutritional requirements. The specialist explained that while water is essential for hydration, the human body requires additional nutrients and compounds to function properly. The expert's guidance comes as part of broader public health education about proper nutrition and hydration practices.