Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 05/06/2026 21:42 · 44 articles added
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Tesco Slovakia Launches Grant Program Offering €223,300 for Youth Development Projects

Tesco Slovakia has announced its "Right Beginnings" grant program, offering €223,300 in funding for projects aimed at improving the lives of children and young people. The retail chain is seeking innovative ideas from individuals and organizations to make communities better and more inspiring for youth. The grant represents part of Tesco's corporate social responsibility efforts in Slovakia, providing financial support for initiatives that benefit young people in local communities across the country.

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Society

Children Have Lost Freedom of Movement That Their Parents Once Enjoyed, Urban Planner Warns

Children in Slovakia have significantly less freedom to move around outdoors independently compared to previous generations, according to urban planner Sandra Štasselová. The expert discussed the implications of this trend and potential solutions to restore children's safety and independence in urban environments. This shift reflects broader changes in how families and communities approach child safety and urban planning, with potential long-term consequences for children's development and social skills.

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Society

Ukrainian Refugees Already Improving Slovakia, Says Sociologist Amid Demographic Crisis

Slovakia must accept that its birth rate will likely not increase significantly and consider migration as a solution to its demographic crisis, according to sociologist Elena Gallo Kriglerová, director of the Centre for Research of Ethnicity and Culture. Kriglerová argues that people from Ukraine are already contributing positively to Slovak society and that the country needs to seriously consider how to accept, receive, and manage migration effectively. Slovakia, like many Central European nations, faces an aging population and declining birth rates that threaten long-term economic sustainability. The arrival of Ukrainian refugees following Russia's invasion has brought this demographic challenge into sharper focus, with experts suggesting that well-managed integration of migrants could help offset Slovakia's shrinking workforce and support its social security system.

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Society

Slovakia Increases School Textbook Funding to Over 28 Million Euros

Slovakia's Ministry of Education has allocated more than 28 million euros for schools to purchase textbooks and workbooks for the 2026/2027 academic year, representing a significant increase from previous funding levels. The ministry is launching material support for Slovak schools by combining resources from the state budget with funds from the European Union's recovery plan. This allocation nearly doubles the contribution for educational publications, which had remained at approximately 15 million euros annually for an extended period.

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Society

Slovak Influencers Promote Automated Baby Formula Machines Despite Parent Complaints

Popular Slovak influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers, including Ráchel Karnižová and Lela Ceterová, are promoting automated baby formula machines that prepare infant milk at the touch of a button. The devices, marketed as working like automatic coffee makers but for baby formula, promise to deliver perfectly heated milk in seconds. However, some parents using these machines report their children remain hungry and restless after feeding. The influencers promote the devices as quick, simple solutions that always deliver milk at the correct temperature, though the promotional campaigns have raised questions about the effectiveness of these automated feeding systems.

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Society

Child Psychologist Emphasizes Need for Clear Communication During Divorce

Children need clear explanations about how divorce will change their lives, according to child psychologist Mária Balážová. Speaking on the "Fathers in Diapers" podcast, Balážová stressed that parents should explain practical matters such as whether children will maintain contact with both parents, who will take them to activities, and whether visits to grandparents will continue as before. The psychologist noted that children invariably wonder if they are somehow responsible for their parents' divorce. Balážová works directly with parents to practice these conversations, helping them prepare for realistic discussions about the changes divorce will bring to family life.

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Society

Slovak Parliament Advances Stricter Dog and Cat Breeding Regulations

The Slovak Parliament has moved legislation to its second reading that would impose stricter rules on dog and cat breeding operations. The new law, drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to radically limit unethical breeding of dogs and cats without proof of origin that is motivated purely by financial profit. The Agriculture Ministry seeks to eliminate negative practices including inadequate breeding conditions, neglect of veterinary care, and deceptive practices in the companion animal market. The legislation represents a significant step toward regulating commercial breeding operations that have operated with minimal oversight, potentially improving animal welfare standards across Slovakia.

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Society

Slovakia's Online School Application System Fails Despite Passing Load Tests

Slovakia's online school application system ePrihláška collapsed on Monday during peak usage when students and parents were accessing admission decisions and checking notice boards. Education Minister Tomáš Drucker criticized the system failure after Wednesday's cabinet meeting, stating that such an outage should never have occurred since the contractor had assured the ministry that the system successfully passed load testing. The ministry plans to exercise its legal rights against the contractor responsible for the system.

Society

Slovak Woman Arrested for Elder Fraud in Germany, Previously Operated Phone Scams Domestically

A Slovak woman is being held in Košice prison after German authorities issued an arrest warrant for robbing an elderly, sick woman. The suspect had previously operated as a phone scammer in Slovakia, targeting victims through fraudulent calls. German prosecutors are seeking her extradition to face charges for the elder abuse case, which involved stealing from a vulnerable senior citizen. The arrest highlights cross-border cooperation in pursuing fraud suspects who target elderly victims both domestically and internationally.

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Society

Slovakia to Add Five New Study Programs at Secondary Schools

Slovakia's secondary schools will offer five new specialized study programs starting from the next academic year. The new programs include specializations in plastic processing and intelligent technologies, expanding educational options for students. The changes stem from a new decree issued by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth, which is currently undergoing inter-ministerial review. The expansion represents an effort to align vocational education with modern industry demands and technological developments.

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Society

Court Rules Against Slovakia's Environment Ministry in Forest Protection Dispute

A Slovak court sided with the environmental initiative My sme les (We Are Forest) in a legal dispute against the Ministry of Environment, ordering the ministry to pay compensation for withholding information about bear culling operations. The ruling represents a victory for transparency advocates who had sought access to government data on wildlife management practices. Meanwhile, Slovakia faces multiple environmental challenges as an endangered red kite from the Czech Republic was deliberately poisoned, flooding in the second half of 2025 caused damages exceeding 5.47 million euros, and Bratislava continues pushing for protection of floodplain forests in the Vlčie hrdlo area.

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Society

Prešov Hospital Opens Accredited Sleep Laboratory to Speed Up Patient Diagnosis

A hospital in Prešov, eastern Slovakia, has expanded its medical services by opening an accredited sleep laboratory. The new facility is designed to accelerate the diagnostic process for patients experiencing sleep-related disorders. Sleep laboratories are specialized medical facilities that monitor patients overnight to diagnose conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep disorders that can significantly impact health and quality of life.

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Society

Former Tennis Star Cibulková Closes Business as Ex-Husband Opens Eighth Café

Former professional tennis player Dominika Cibulková has closed her Baby J business venture, while her ex-husband Michal Navara has opened his eighth café location. The business paths of the divorced couple have diverged, with Cibulková ending her commercial enterprise while Navara continues to expand his café chain across Slovakia. Cibulková, who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2014 and won the WTA Finals later that year before retiring from professional tennis in 2019, had ventured into business following her athletic career.

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Society

Doctors in Michalovce Save Patient's Leg from Amputation in Rare Surgery

Medical specialists at a hospital in Michalovce successfully performed a unique surgical procedure that saved a patient's leg from amputation. The operation is considered among the rarest of its kind in Central Europe, representing a significant medical achievement for the eastern Slovak city's healthcare facility.

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Society

Rock formations to be demolished at Hrebienok tourist area, trails to close

Authorities will conduct controlled demolition of unstable rock formations at Hrebienok in Slovakia's High Tatras mountains. The operation will force temporary closure of tourist trails in the Hrebienok-Studené doliny area. The Hrebienok area is a popular tourist destination in the High Tatras National Park, featuring hiking trails and mountain railways that attract visitors year-round. The demolition appears to be a safety measure to remove dangerous rock formations that could pose risks to hikers and tourists in the mountainous region.

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Society

Police charge two men with criminal threats against woman in Tatra foothills village

Slovak police have filed charges against two men for making death threats against a woman in a village near Svit, located in the foothills of the High Tatras mountains. One of the accused allegedly threatened to shoot the woman in the kitchen of her family home, while the second man made threatening gestures suggesting he would cut her throat from his car. The charges fall under Slovakia's criminal code provisions for dangerous threatening behavior, which carries potential penalties including imprisonment for serious cases involving death threats.

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Society

Urologist Warns Against Common Bathroom Habits That Can Damage Bladder

A Slovak urologist has issued warnings about common bathroom habits that can harm bladder health, specifically cautioning against straining during urination and making precautionary toilet visits. The medical expert emphasized that the most dangerous situation occurs when urine flow stops completely. The advice addresses widespread behaviors that many people consider normal but may actually be damaging to urinary system function over time.

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Society

Medical Unions Remind Government of Unfulfilled Promise on University Hospital Law

Medical unions have reminded the Slovak government of its unfulfilled commitment to prepare legislation governing university hospitals. According to an agreement signed between the government and medical professionals, the law was supposed to be drafted by the end of 2025. University hospitals in Slovakia serve as both healthcare providers and training facilities for medical students, making their legal framework crucial for both patient care and medical education. The reminder highlights ongoing tensions between the government and healthcare workers over promised reforms to the country's medical system.

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Society

Man Falls Victim to Romance Scam, Police Charge 27-Year-Old with Extortion

A man became the victim of a romance scam after believing he was communicating with a woman online, only to face extortion demands for thousands of euros. Slovak police have charged a 27-year-old man in connection with the case. Romance scams typically involve criminals who create fake online profiles to establish emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into sending money or personal information that can later be used for blackmail.

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Society

Hospital in Snina Modernizes Medical Equipment with €340,000 Investment

A hospital in Snina, located in eastern Slovakia, is upgrading its medical equipment with a €340,000 investment aimed at improving patient care quality. The modernization includes the acquisition of new ultrasound equipment and a C-arm imaging system, which will enhance the hospital's diagnostic and treatment capabilities. The investment represents a significant upgrade for the regional healthcare facility, which serves the local population in this area near Slovakia's border with Poland and Ukraine.

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