Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 21:40 · 36 articles added
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Spišské Podhradie begins restoration of historic elementary school buildings

The town of Spišské Podhradie has launched a restoration project for the historic buildings of its elementary school. The renovation work is expected to take eighteen months to complete. Spišské Podhradie, located in eastern Slovakia near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Spiš Castle, is undertaking the project to preserve and modernize the school's heritage architecture while maintaining its educational function.

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Society

Suspicious Financial Transactions Uncovered Near Slovak Football Chief

Investigators have discovered questionable money transfers involving associates of Ján Kováčik, head of the Slovak Football Association. Kováčik's right-hand person withdrew hundreds of thousands of euros from accounts belonging to SFZ Marketing, a company linked to the football association. Additionally, Kováčik himself sent thousands of euros to a financially troubled friend. The Slovak Football Association is the governing body for professional and amateur football in Slovakia, responsible for managing the national teams and overseeing domestic competitions. The revelations suggest potential misuse of funds within Slovakia's football administration, raising questions about financial oversight and governance in the country's premier sporting organization.

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Society

Slovak Ombudsman Calls for Electronic Cash Registers in Healthcare Sector Worth 500 Million Euros

Slovak Ombudsman Róbert Dobrovodský has called for doctors to use electronic cash registers and issue receipts for patient payments, just like other service providers. He argued that while a craftsman at a market selling a small item must have an electronic cash register and issue a receipt or face a fine, the same rules should apply to doctors who collect 30, 40 or 50 euros from patients. Dobrovodský emphasized the scale of the issue, noting that the healthcare sector collects approximately 500 million euros in such payments annually. The ombudsman's comments highlight ongoing concerns about transparency and tax compliance in Slovakia's healthcare system, where patients routinely make direct payments to medical professionals for various services.

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Society

Construction of Prešov Hospital Faces Halt Over Unpaid Bills, Opposition Party Claims

Construction of a new hospital in Prešov was supposed to be halted due to unpaid invoices, according to claims by the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), an opposition party in Slovakia's parliament. The party is questioning the health minister about what is happening with the construction project. The Prešov hospital project represents a significant healthcare infrastructure investment in eastern Slovakia, where KDH is raising concerns about potential financial irregularities or payment delays that could jeopardize the completion of this important medical facility.

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Society

Construction of New Hospital in Prešov Halted Due to Concrete Quality Issues

Construction of a new hospital in Prešov has been suspended due to problems with concrete quality, according to Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák. The project, which has been a key priority for Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, now faces significant delays as officials consider launching a new tender process or potentially demolishing already completed work. The hospital construction was part of Fico's flagship healthcare infrastructure initiatives aimed at modernizing Slovakia's medical facilities. The concrete quality issues represent a major setback for the project, which was intended to improve healthcare services in eastern Slovakia's Prešov region.

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Society

Slovak Woman Who Built Business Empire Now Lives on Streets

Miroslava Miláčková, a 44-year-old Slovak woman who once ran a successful caregiving agency on the Isle of Man, now finds herself homeless. The businesswoman recalls how locals in Douglas, the island's capital, would point at her and her business partner with admiration as successful foreign entrepreneurs who had established their own company. Her story illustrates how dramatically life circumstances can change, as she went from being a respected business owner to living on the streets. The Isle of Man, a British Crown dependency, had provided the setting for what appeared to be a thriving enterprise before her fortunes reversed.

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Society

Documents Show Marta Šimečková Avoided Debt Collection Enforcement

Marta Šimečková, a prominent Slovak public figure, told police she deliberately had money sent to different accounts to prevent them from being frozen during debt collection proceedings. Police documents reveal Šimečková's testimony describing her strategy to avoid having her assets blocked by enforcement authorities. The disclosure highlights how individuals can circumvent Slovakia's debt collection system, which allows creditors to freeze bank accounts and seize assets to recover unpaid debts through court-ordered enforcement procedures.

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Society

Ukrainian Man Arrested for Illegal Human Trafficking of Fellow Nationals

Slovak police arrested a Ukrainian national for illegally transporting a group of his countrymen across the border. The man now faces charges of human trafficking. The arrest highlights ongoing issues with unauthorized border crossings as the war in Ukraine continues to drive migration across Central Europe.

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Society

Light-up Sneakers Become Popular Fashion Trend Beyond Children's Market

Light-up footwear has evolved from a children's novelty item into a broader fashion phenomenon that appeals to adults as well. Originally designed exclusively for young users, these illuminated shoes combine practical functionality with playful design elements. The trend reflects a growing market acceptance of footwear that blends entertainment features with everyday wearability, expanding beyond its initial target demographic to capture interest across age groups.

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Society

Psychologist Discusses Women Who Regret Becoming Mothers

Psychologist Lenka Štepánková has addressed the sensitive topic of maternal regret, exploring why some women come to regret their decision to become mothers. The discussion touches on a phenomenon that remains largely taboo in society, where cultural expectations often assume all women will find fulfillment in motherhood. Štepánková's insights shed light on the complex psychological factors that can lead to such feelings, challenging conventional assumptions about maternal instincts and societal pressures surrounding parenthood.

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Society

Slovakia's First Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Toxic PCB Contamination

A class action lawsuit has been filed in Slovakia over toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination, marking the first collective legal action of its kind in the country. The case involves people suffering from serious illnesses allegedly linked to PCB exposure, while the state denies responsibility for the contamination. Martin Hojsík, vice-president of the European Parliament and member of the Progressive Slovakia party, recently held a press conference at an unusual location - near a waste canal of the former Chemko Strážske plant. This site remains one of the locations where toxic PCBs can still be found 42 years after production ended. PCBs are industrial chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment and other applications before being banned due to their severe health and environmental risks, including cancer and immune system damage.

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Society

Slovak Resident in Israel Highlights Efficiency of Israeli Healthcare System

A Slovak citizen living in Israel for 20 years has praised the efficiency of the Israeli healthcare system, noting that patients receive precise appointment times without additional fees. The resident, who frequently visits doctors, emphasized that Israel's healthcare system ranks among the most effective and innovative globally. This observation comes as Slovakia continues to grapple with healthcare challenges, including long waiting times and accessibility issues in its public health system.

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Society

Slovak Police Officers Raise Safety Concerns About Armed Colleague

Police officers in Slovakia have issued a formal statement expressing safety concerns about a female colleague who carries a weapon, citing fears about her potential erratic behavior. The officers stated they refuse to accept responsibility for any tragic consequences that might result from what they describe as her impulsive actions. The statement also references threats from supervisors, suggesting tensions within the police force over how the situation is being handled. The development highlights internal workplace safety concerns within Slovakia's police service, though specific details about the nature of the colleague's alleged behavior or the supervisors' threats have not been disclosed.

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Society

Trnava Region Launches New Teaching Excellence Award for Educators

The Trnava Self-Governing Region has introduced a new recognition program called the "Baničov Patent" to honor outstanding educators. According to Jozef Viskupič, chairman of the Trnava Self-Governing Region, modern education requires personalities who are not afraid to bring new methods and connect theory with practice. The award aims to recognize teachers who demonstrate innovation and excellence in their educational approaches.

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Society

Man Receives Suspended Sentence for Stalking Grocery Store Employee

A Slovak court handed down a suspended sentence to a man who stalked a female employee at a grocery store, repeatedly professing his love despite her rejections. The case represents an application of Slovakia's stalking laws, which criminalize persistent unwanted contact and harassment that causes distress to victims. Such behavior can result in criminal charges when it involves repeated attempts to contact someone after being clearly told to stop.

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Society

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Silently Weakens Body and Mind, Health Experts Warn

Medical professionals are highlighting the often-overlooked dangers of vitamin B12 deficiency, which occurs when the body either doesn't receive adequate amounts through diet or cannot properly absorb the nutrient. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in producing red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material found in all human cells. Health experts emphasize that deficiency symptoms can develop gradually and may be mistaken for other conditions, making early recognition critical for preventing serious health complications. The vitamin is essential for proper nervous system function and energy metabolism, with deficiencies potentially leading to both physical and cognitive impairment if left untreated.

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Society

Psychologist Says Probing Details of Infidelity Brings No Good to Betrayed Partner

A Slovak psychologist and couples therapist has warned that examining the details of a partner's infidelity does not benefit the betrayed party. Petr Kačena argues that while infidelity appears frequently in statistics, it still shocks people in their private lives. He suggests that society may be naive in believing that choosing a life partner means other people will cease to be attractive, noting that infidelity rarely occurs in relationships where both partners are truly satisfied.

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Society

Relationship Infidelity Should Be Addressed Without Obsessing Over Details, Says Slovak Psychologist

Infidelity rarely occurs in relationships where partners are truly satisfied, according to psychologist and couples therapist Petr Kačena. While statistics show cheating is common, it continues to shock people in their private lives, he noted. Kačena argues that society may be naive in believing that choosing a long-term partner or entering marriage means other people will cease to be attractive. The psychologist advises that betrayed partners should avoid fixating on specific details of their partner's infidelity, as this approach provides no benefit to healing or moving forward in the relationship.

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Society

Christian Democrats call for investigation into Bory Hospital financial practices

The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a center-right opposition party in Slovakia, has announced plans to conduct an investigation into Bory Hospital to determine whether the medical facility is achieving positive financial results at the expense of patient health. The party's move reflects growing concerns about potential conflicts between cost-cutting measures and quality healthcare delivery at the medical institution. KDH's investigation would examine whether financial pressures or profit motives may be compromising patient care standards at the hospital, highlighting broader debates in Slovak healthcare about balancing fiscal responsibility with medical quality.

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Society

Slovak Writer Explores Society's Expectations Around Grief and Emotional Expression

A Slovak commentator has written about societal pressures to display grief and emotion, drawing from personal experience and popular culture references. The writer discusses not crying when informed of their father's death and questions why society expects visible suffering. The piece references The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, particularly its most emotional episode, as a cultural touchstone for examining how people are expected to process and express loss. The commentary appears to challenge conventional expectations about how individuals should publicly demonstrate their grief and emotional responses to tragedy.

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