Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 21:40 · 36 articles added
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Thousands of Students Take Final Exams in Eastern Slovakia, Including Professional Tests at Employers

Thousands of students across eastern Slovakia are currently taking their final graduation exams, known as maturita, which determine their eligibility for university admission and completion of secondary education. A significant portion of these students are from technical fields, reflecting the region's industrial focus. As part of the examination process, students in vocational programs are conducting their professional skills tests directly at employer sites, allowing them to demonstrate practical competencies in real workplace environments. This arrangement provides students with hands-on experience while giving potential employers an opportunity to evaluate future workers.

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Society

Slovak Civil Society Leader's Organization Found to Have Submitted Falsified Bank Statements

Marta Šimečková has released documents related to the accounting practices of her civil society organization Projekt Fórum, revealing that the group submitted falsified bank statements to state institutions. Šimečková is a prominent Slovak civil society activist and the daughter of well-known journalist and former diplomat Martin Šimečka. The revelation represents a significant development in ongoing scrutiny of the organization's financial practices, potentially undermining the credibility of one of Slovakia's notable civic organizations. The disclosure of falsified financial documents to government agencies could have serious legal and regulatory consequences for the organization and raises questions about oversight of civil society groups receiving public funding or recognition.

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Society

Holocaust Survivor Edit Eva Eger, Who Danced for the Angel of Death at Auschwitz, Dies

Edit Eva Eger, a Holocaust survivor from Košice who endured the horrors of Auschwitz concentration camp, has died. During her imprisonment at the Nazi death camp, Eger was forced to dance for Josef Mengele, the notorious SS doctor known as the "Angel of Death" who conducted horrific medical experiments on prisoners. Eger survived the Holocaust and went on to rebuild her life, including remarrying the same man twice. Born in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city in the eastern region, Eger became one of the dwindling number of living witnesses to the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of approximately 105,000 Slovak Jews during World War II.

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Society

Commentary: Criticism of War Crimes Necessary Despite Risk of Misuse

A commentary in Slovak media examines the ongoing debate over criticizing wartime civilian casualties, particularly the Allied bombing of German cities during World War II. The piece notes that references to these civilian deaths continue to be exploited by far-right groups for political purposes. The commentary also observes that even critics motivated by humanitarian concerns have faced backlash for raising questions about wartime conduct. The discussion reflects broader tensions over how societies should address historical war crimes while preventing their manipulation by extremist movements.

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Society

Bardejov Hospital Implements Bonding During Cesarean Section Under General Anesthesia

A hospital in Bardejov, a city in eastern Slovakia, has successfully implemented immediate parent-child bonding during cesarean section deliveries performed under general anesthesia. The hospital plans to continue with this innovative approach to childbirth care. The practice allows parents to bond with their newborns immediately after delivery, even when the mother is under general anesthesia during the surgical procedure, representing an advancement in maternal and neonatal care protocols.

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Society

Breast Cancer Cases Rise Significantly in Slovakia as Košice Center Expands Treatment

Breast cancer diagnoses in Slovakia increased by nearly 23 percent between 2014 and 2021, rising from 2,686 cases to approximately 3,300 new patients annually. The disease remains the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for roughly 16 percent of all malignant tumors in the country. The Specialized Hospital in Košice has established a dedicated breast center to provide comprehensive care using modern medical approaches. The facility aims to address the growing incidence of breast cancer through specialized treatment and advanced medical technology, as healthcare officials work to manage the continuing upward trend in new cases.

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Society

Slovak Woman Faces Life Sentence for Stabbing Ex-Husband During Infidelity Dispute

A Slovak woman has been charged with attempted murder after stabbing her ex-husband with a knife during an argument over infidelity, with the blade breaking off in the wound. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute between the former couple. The court ordered the woman held in both flight risk and preventive detention as she awaits trial. Under Slovak law, she faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the attempted murder charge. The case highlights ongoing issues with domestic violence in Slovakia, where disputes between former partners can escalate to serious criminal acts.

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Society

Fitness Instructor Advises on Proper Pilates Practice: YouTube Insufficient Without Proper Foundation

A fitness instructor surnamed Tankovičová has warned that while Pilates exercises may appear simple, proper execution is crucial for effectiveness. She advised that relying solely on YouTube videos is inadequate for learning the discipline, emphasizing that without proper foundational knowledge, attempting Pilates becomes a trial-and-error process that may not yield desired results or could potentially lead to improper form.

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Society

Historic Building Becomes Eyesore as Former Finance Minister's Family Faces New Permit Objections

A historic building has deteriorated into an eyesore as the family of a former finance minister encounters additional objections in the permit approval process. The permitting process is now expected to be extended due to these new challenges. The development highlights ongoing difficulties in balancing historic preservation with renovation projects, though specific details about the building's location, the identity of the former minister, or the nature of the objections were not provided.

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Society

Police charge two people with human trafficking for allegedly forcing children to beg

Slovak police have filed criminal charges against two individuals for human trafficking, alleging they forced children to engage in begging activities. The suspects face severe penalties under Slovak law if convicted of the trafficking charges. Human trafficking carries some of the heaviest sentences in the Slovak criminal code, particularly when it involves the exploitation of minors. The case highlights ongoing concerns about organized begging schemes that exploit vulnerable children, a practice that has drawn increased law enforcement attention across Central Europe.

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Society

Women's Fertility Decline Period Often Accompanied by Various Discomforts

The period when women's fertility ends is frequently accompanied by various uncomfortable symptoms affecting both physical and mental well-being. This transitional phase, commonly known as menopause, presents challenges as both the body and psyche undergo significant changes that can impact daily life and overall health.

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Society

Košice Airport Cancels Major NATO Air Show Over Security Concerns

Košice Airport has unexpectedly withdrawn its approval for the Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) 2026, citing security risks and effectively canceling the major air show. The Slovak Aviation Association said it had no choice but to accept the airport's decision, despite the event's significance as an international NATO partnership event. Organizers now face the task of withdrawing invitations already extended to NATO partner countries and informing diplomatic missions of the cancellation. SIAF is Slovakia's premier aviation event, featuring military aircraft demonstrations and typically drawing thousands of visitors to showcase international military cooperation and Slovak aviation capabilities.

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Society

Slovak Parents Send Blood to Hong Kong to Disprove Down Syndrome Diagnosis After Doctor Recommends Abortion

A Slovak couple sent their daughter's blood sample to Hong Kong for genetic testing after a local doctor incorrectly diagnosed their unborn child with Down syndrome and recommended terminating the pregnancy. The Hong Kong laboratory confirmed that the child did not have Down syndrome, contradicting the Slovak medical assessment. The couple's daughter Mia was subsequently born and has undergone multiple heart surgeries. The mother, Petronela, said the doctor had insisted her daughter had Down syndrome and advised her to "have the child taken away," prompting the family to seek international verification of the diagnosis.

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Society

Elderly Couple's Domestic Issues Highlight Growing Problem of Elder Abuse in Slovak Families

An 80-year-old Slovak grandmother has been verbally abusing her 77-year-old husband, constantly commanding and belittling him despite his lifelong devotion to their family. The grandfather, described by family members as an exemplary husband and grandfather who worked as a doctor and provided financially for the household, married his wife when she was a widow and raised her daughter from her first marriage as his own child. The family is struggling with how to help the elderly man, who refuses to leave his wife despite the ongoing verbal abuse, highlighting broader issues of domestic violence among elderly couples in Slovakia.

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Society

Thousands of tourists flood Slovak village of 60 residents during cherry blossom season

The small village of Brdárka in Slovakia's Gemer region has become an unexpected tourist hotspot as thousands of visitors arrive each spring to see its blooming cherry orchards. The village, home to just 60 residents, attracts social media attention with scenic photographs of white cherry blossoms set against the backdrop of an old church, sheep grazing, and the Veľký Radzim peak. Local residents historically focused on fruit farming, leaving behind thousands of fruit trees, particularly cherry trees, throughout the area. However, the once-thriving orchards that now draw the tourist crowds are gradually dying out, creating uncertainty about the future of this seasonal phenomenon that has put the tiny Gemer village on Slovakia's tourism map.

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Society

Study Reveals Menstrual Poverty and Exclusion Issues Across Slovakia

A new study on menstrual exclusion has revealed significant disparities between eastern and western Slovakia in access to menstrual products and basic sanitation. According to Natália Blahová from the Dignified Menstruation project, the situation in eastern Slovakia is particularly severe due to the number of people lacking access to running water. She described this as bringing Slovakia to the level of developing countries, noting that lack of water access is even more serious than the absence of menstrual products. The research highlights a stark contrast in awareness and understanding of menstrual poverty across different regions of the country. While Blahová says she doesn't need to explain what menstrual poverty is in eastern Slovakia, she faces stigma and political reluctance when addressing the issue at schools in western areas like Rača, a district of Bratislava. The study's findings point to broader infrastructure and social issues that affect women's health and dignity across different socioeconomic regions of Slovakia.

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Society

Investigation Reveals Educational Scheme Involving Thousands of Students in Eastern Slovakia

An investigation has uncovered a scheme involving state-funded education in eastern Slovakia that affects thousands of students across six schools and centers around one individual. The investigation appears connected to a complaint filed against someone named Drucker, though specific details of the alleged scheme have not been disclosed. The case highlights concerns about the management and oversight of public education funding in the region.

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Society

Slovak Funeral Home Offers Gold Coffin with BMW Steering Wheel for 8,000 Euros

A Slovak funeral home has begun offering luxury burial services featuring gold coffins topped with genuine BMW steering wheels, with the most expensive option costing up to 8,000 euros. The unusual service represents a premium funeral option that combines traditional burial practices with automotive-themed personalization for deceased car enthusiasts.

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Society

Prešov Region to Modernize Culinary School with 2.8 Million Euro Investment

The Prešov Self-Governing Region will modernize the Secondary School of Gastronomy and Services in Prešov with an investment of 2.8 million euros. The upgrade will include an auditorium and conference room designed to host workshops and professional presentations featuring live cooking demonstrations. The modernization project is scheduled for completion by October 2027.

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Society

Bratislava University Hospital to Limit Services to Emergency Care Only on May 8

Bratislava University Hospital will restrict its operations to acute and emergency care only on May 8, postponing all scheduled procedures to alternative dates. Patients who had planned surgeries, scheduled hospitalizations, outpatient examinations, or other non-urgent medical procedures booked for May 8 have been notified of their appointment cancellations. The hospital, one of Slovakia's largest medical facilities, has not specified the reason for the temporary service limitation.

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