Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 10:37 · 52 articles added
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Society

Elementary School in Vyšné Ružbachy to Undergo Renovation, Improving Facilities for 400+ Students

An elementary school in Vyšné Ružbachy, which serves more than 400 students, is set to undergo renovation work that will improve its gymnasium and classrooms. The renovation project aims to upgrade the educational facilities at the school, though specific details about the scope, timeline, or funding source for the improvements were not disclosed. The school serves a significant student population in the eastern Slovak region, making the facility upgrades important for the local educational infrastructure.

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Society

Family Travel Discounts in Slovakia See 20% Increase in Usage

Slovak families increasingly used discounted weekend travel on regional buses, with sales of family travel passes rising 20% compared to 2024. Passengers with small children purchased more than 60,000 discounted weekend tickets on ARRIVA buses across the Bratislava, Trnava, Košice, and Žilina regions in 2025. The data was released to mark International Day of Families, highlighting growing interest in family-friendly public transportation options. ARRIVA operates regional bus services connecting smaller towns and rural areas with major cities across these four Slovak regions.

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Society

Bodies of Deceased Stored on Shelves in Prešov Hospital After Pathology Department Demolished

The bodies of deceased patients have been stored on shelves alongside boards and boxes at the Faculty Hospital with Polyclinic J.A. Reiman in Prešov, Slovakia's fourth-largest city in the east of the country. The unusual storage situation arose after construction workers demolished the hospital's pathology department in mid-April to make way for a new military hospital project, which has since been suspended due to concerns about poor-quality concrete. The demolition of the pathology department has significantly disrupted normal hospital operations in Prešov since April, forcing the facility to resort to makeshift storage solutions for deceased patients while the planned military hospital construction remains halted.

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Society

Slovak Mother Goes Public with Son's Rare Disease After Years of Secrecy

Denisa Hulín has founded a patient organization for people with neurofibromatosis, the same rare genetic condition that affects her five-year-old son. For years, Hulín kept her son's diagnosis secret even from friends, not wanting them to pity her or her child. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue and can lead to various complications including learning disabilities, bone deformities, and increased cancer risk. Hulín's decision to speak publicly about the condition represents a significant shift from her previous approach of privacy and silence. Her patient organization aims to provide support and resources for other families dealing with the same diagnosis, helping them navigate the challenges of living with this rare condition.

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Society

Tomáš Jablonský Selected as New Rector of Slovak Catholic University

Tomáš Jablonský has been chosen to become the new rector of Catholic University in Slovakia, the country's oldest private university. The selection process involved two candidates competing for the institution's highest academic leadership position. Catholic University, established in 1996 in Ružomberok, is one of Slovakia's most prominent private higher education institutions, offering programs in theology, philosophy, education, and other fields.

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Society

Christians in Slovakia Celebrate Ascension Day

Christians in Slovakia observed Ascension Day on Thursday, commemorating the biblical event when Jesus Christ met with his disciples for the final time as a human being, 40 days after his resurrection. The religious holiday marks one of the central celebrations in the Christian liturgical calendar, observed by Catholic and Protestant communities throughout the country.

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Society

Slovak Tax Authority Makes Grammar Errors While Enforcing Language Rules on Businesses

Slovakia's Financial Administration has been found making grammatical errors in its own communications while simultaneously penalizing businesses for language violations. The tax authority, which prides itself on strict adherence to regulations, has been issuing fines to businesses for infractions such as using 'langose' instead of the grammatically correct Slovak 'langoše' for the popular fried bread snack. However, the Financial Administration's own materials contain spelling mistakes, incorrect conjugations, and Czech language influences that violate Slovak grammar rules. The irony highlights inconsistencies in how language regulations are enforced, as the agency that demands perfect compliance from taxpayers fails to meet the same standards in its own official communications.

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Society

Slovak Builder Ferenčák Under Criminal Investigation for Document Forgery

Criminal investigators have launched a probe into Slovak builder Ferenčák for suspected obstruction of official duties by a public official. The investigation centers on allegations that Ferenčák forged documents by signing them himself rather than obtaining proper authorization. The case involves potential abuse of official procedures, though specific details about the nature of the construction projects or the exact official capacity in which Ferenčák was operating have not been disclosed. The obstruction charge suggests Ferenčák may have interfered with or impeded the lawful duties of public officials through the alleged document forgery.

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Society

Slovak Actress Juliána Brutovská Opens Up About Father's Abandonment of Six Children

Slovak actress Juliána Brutovská has spoken publicly about her childhood trauma of being abandoned by her father, who left six children without explanation. The actress revealed that as a child she could not understand her father's departure and still struggles to comprehend it today. Brutovská's candid discussion highlights the lasting psychological impact of parental abandonment on children, particularly when no explanation is provided for such a significant family disruption.

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Society

Spanish Resident Promotes Slovak Town as Tourist Destination on Route to Tatras Mountains

A Spanish resident is advocating for visitors to stop in a Slovak town that travelers typically pass through on their way to the popular Tatra Mountains. The Spanish advocate highlights reasons why the overlooked municipality deserves attention from tourists heading to Slovakia's premier mountain destination. The town lies along the main route that connects travelers to the High Tatras, Slovakia's most visited mountain range and a major tourist attraction known for hiking, skiing, and alpine scenery.

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Society

Slovak Widow Waits Nine Months for Life Insurance Payout After Husband's Death

Margaréta Hajdúchová from Bytča has been waiting nine months for her life insurance payout after her husband died suddenly last summer, leaving her alone with two children and loan payments equal to her monthly salary. The widow's situation became public in December when a friend launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Donio platform, successfully raising 10,000 euros to help her bridge her financial difficulties. The case highlights the delays that can occur in insurance claim processing, leaving bereaved families in financial distress while they wait for benefits that are meant to provide immediate support during difficult times.

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Society

Witnesses testify in Slovak ivermectin distribution case involving unauthorized sales

Witnesses testified in a court case involving the unauthorized distribution of ivermectin, with testimony revealing that large quantities of the drug were sold at what were described as "ridiculous" prices. The case centers on a married couple who allegedly distributed the medication without proper authorization. The proceedings are part of broader legal scrutiny of ivermectin distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the antiparasitic drug gained attention as an unproven treatment despite lacking regulatory approval for coronavirus use.

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Society

Popular Tourist Attraction Deteriorates as Visitors Choose Drinking Over History

A tourist attraction originally designed as an irresistible destination for visitors has fallen into decline as tourists increasingly use the site for drinking rather than absorbing its historical significance. The attraction is now struggling with deterioration, vandalism, and cleanliness issues as its original educational purpose has been overshadowed by inappropriate visitor behavior.

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Society

Slovak Teacher Opens Up About Grief and Emotional Recovery After Partner's Death

Slovak teacher Anna Jančová has shared her journey through grief and emotional recovery following the death of her partner. During an emotional management course, Jančová experienced a moment of revelation when participants were asked to visualize themselves at age 90, sitting with someone close and reminiscing about life. She realized that in her mental image, she saw no one beside her and had nothing meaningful to remember. Jančová described how initially after her partner's death, she felt anger even toward blooming flowers for continuing to flourish while she suffered. However, she later found that beautiful things in life helped her move forward in her healing process. Her story highlights the complex nature of grief and the gradual path toward emotional recovery.

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Society

Hot Dog Vendor Describes Dealing with Tax Inspectors in Košice

A hot dog vendor in Košice has shared his experience dealing with tax inspections, describing how inspectors waited while he learned to use the cancellation function on his electronic cash register. The vendor discussed the challenges of operating under regulatory scrutiny, including dealing with softened buns and relying on YouTube tutorials to understand the technical requirements of his point-of-sale system. The account highlights the practical difficulties small food vendors face when adapting to Slovakia's electronic sales recording requirements, which mandate the use of certified cash registers for all retail transactions.

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Society

Food Vendor Shares Tips on Surviving Health Inspections Without Going Crazy

A hot dog vendor in Slovakia has shared advice on how food sellers can navigate health inspections while maintaining their sanity. The vendor described various challenges faced during inspections, including dealing with softened products, transaction cancellations, and relying on YouTube tutorials for guidance. In one instance, health inspectors waited patiently while the vendor learned how to properly cancel transactions on their point-of-sale system. The vendor's experience highlights the practical difficulties small food businesses face when adapting to regulatory requirements and inspection procedures.

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Society

Police Investigate Doctor Detained for Testing Positive for Cocaine

Police in Bratislava have detained a doctor who tested positive for cocaine, according to authorities from the District Police Directorate in Bratislava III. This marks the third such case involving medical professionals this year, raising concerns about drug use among healthcare workers in Slovakia. The incident is currently under investigation by local police.

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Society

Experts present action plan to reduce cardiovascular deaths in Slovakia

Medical experts have unveiled an action plan aimed at reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases in Slovakia. Cardiovascular diseases currently represent the leading cause of death in the country. The plan addresses what experts consider a critical public health challenge, as heart and vascular conditions claim more lives than any other medical condition in Slovakia. The initiative comes as health authorities seek to tackle the country's most pressing mortality issue through coordinated medical intervention strategies.

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Society

Slovak Man Abused by Two Priests Still Awaits Compensation After Half Century

A Slovak man originally from Košice has waited more than 50 years for compensation after being sexually abused by two Catholic priests during his childhood. Jozef Zapotoka, who has lived in Helsingborg, Sweden for over 30 years, remains without redress for the abuse he suffered decades ago. The case highlights ongoing struggles by survivors of clerical abuse in Slovakia to obtain recognition and compensation from the Catholic Church, which has faced mounting pressure across Europe to address historical cases of sexual abuse by clergy members.

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Society

Slovak Street Food Vendor Fined 1,500 Euros Over Missing Accent Mark on Receipt

A vendor selling lángos, a traditional fried bread, in the Slovak town of Kvetoslavov received a 1,500-euro fine from customs authorities for missing diacritical marks on a receipt, despite correcting the error within 20 minutes. The vendor's lawyer argues the customs office's decision is imprecise and confusing, noting that both the receipt and revenue were properly recorded. The case has sparked intense debate about the severity of enforcement measures against small businesses in Slovakia, with critics questioning whether such hefty penalties are appropriate for minor administrative infractions involving street food vendors.

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