Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Society

View all1954 stories
Society

Prešov Archeparchy Operates 21 Parish Charities with Plans for Expansion

The Prešov Archeparchy currently operates 21 parish charities that collect food and provide assistance to elderly residents, with plans to establish additional charitable organizations in the region. The Prešov Archeparchy is one of the administrative divisions of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia, serving the eastern regions of the country. These parish-based charitable organizations represent grassroots efforts to address social needs in local communities through food collection drives and support services for senior citizens.

|
Society

Slovak Universities Criticized for Political Silence

Slovak universities are facing criticism for maintaining silence on political issues under the guise of apolitical neutrality. Critics argue that this approach of avoiding political engagement does not constitute true neutrality, as institutions of higher education have a responsibility to engage with societal issues. The debate highlights tensions over the role universities should play in public discourse, with some arguing that remaining silent on important political developments actually represents a form of political stance itself rather than genuine neutrality.

|
Society

Medical Faculty at Comenius University Accepts 145 Students Without Entrance Exams

The Medical Faculty at Comenius University in Bratislava admitted 145 applicants without requiring entrance examinations this year. The faculty received applications from 2,405 prospective students for the current academic year. This represents a significant portion of applicants who gained direct admission to one of Slovakia's most prestigious medical programs, which typically requires competitive entrance testing due to high demand for limited spots in medical education.

|
Society

Elementary School in Brezno Enrolls 256 Future First-Graders

An elementary school in Brezno has registered 256 children for first grade enrollment in the upcoming academic year. The Elementary School with Kindergarten on Májového povstania českého ľudu Street expects to open four first-grade classes to accommodate the incoming students. The enrollment figures indicate strong demand for primary education in the central Slovak town, located in the Banská Bystrica region.

|
Society

Two Men Charged with Drug Trafficking in Police Operation in Prievidza

Police charged two men with drug-related offenses following a search operation in Prievidza, a city in western Slovakia. During the house search, officers seized paper packets containing methamphetamine along with various items and chemical substances used for drug production. The arrests were part of Operation Cukrár (Confectioner), a police investigation targeting drug trafficking networks in the region.

|
Society

Slovak Zoo Enthusiast Warns Against Making Animals Internet Stars

Karol Mišovic, who has visited nearly 180 zoos across Europe, warns against harmful trends in modern zoos that turn animals into internet celebrities. The Slovak zoo enthusiast, part of a community of zoological garden fans, tracks how facilities develop their enclosures and what problematic practices they sometimes adopt. He argues that creating human-like identities for animals, including social media profiles, represents a concerning trend that undermines proper zoological practices. Mišovic believes good zoos should not display animals from every angle or transform them into internet stars, emphasizing the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries between animal welfare and public entertainment.

|
Society

Slovak Schools Receive New Guidelines on Handling Teacher Misconduct Cases

Slovak schools have received new mandatory procedures for addressing suspected inappropriate behavior by teachers toward students, following a rise in reported cases of misconduct. The State School Inspectorate, Slovakia's educational oversight body, has seen an increase in complaints about teacher behavior including bullying, unfair grading, and sexual harassment of students. Chief Inspector Alžbeta Štofková Dianovská criticized schools for sometimes trivializing these incidents and handling them only formally rather than taking decisive action. In response, the Ministry of Education introduced new protocols in early April that clearly define schools' obligations when such cases arise and specify sanctions for institutions that fail to comply with proper procedures.

|
Society

New Bike Track and Inclusive Playground to Be Built at Lake Recreation Area

A new pumptrack bike course and inclusive playground will be constructed at a lake recreation area. The development project will also include the construction of new walkways to improve accessibility throughout the recreational site. The facilities are designed to enhance recreational opportunities for visitors to the lakeside location.

|
Society

Slovak Psychologist Criticizes Weight Loss Reality Show for Stigmatizing Obesity

Slovak psychologist Martin Cvrkal has publicly criticized the reality television show "Extreme Makeovers" on social media platforms, arguing that the program promotes harmful misconceptions about obesity. The show, adapted from the American format "Extreme Weight Loss," follows severely obese individuals through radical physical and psychological transformations over one year under professional guidance. Cvrkal argues that the program perpetuates the damaging belief that obesity stems solely from weak willpower, lack of discipline, and inability to control oneself, rather than addressing the complex medical and psychological factors that contribute to the condition. His criticism highlights growing concerns among health professionals about how weight loss entertainment programs may stigmatize people with obesity and oversimplify a serious health issue.

|
Society

Tatra Mountain Trail Closure Enters Third Year as Hikers Ignore Safety Barriers

A hiking trail between Hrebienok and Zamkovského Chata in Slovakia's Tatra Mountains remains closed after collapsing in November 2023, with repairs now entering their third year. The trail failure has created ongoing safety concerns as many tourists continue to ignore closure barriers and use the damaged path. The Tatras, Slovakia's premier mountain range and part of a national park shared with Poland, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for hiking and mountain tourism. The extended closure highlights infrastructure challenges in maintaining the extensive network of mountain trails that are essential to Slovakia's tourism industry.

|
Society

Slovak Architect Discusses Building Facade Trends and Investment Value for 2026

Architect Marianna Markuskova from the MUUR studio emphasized that building facades are crucial investments rather than mere aesthetic choices, as first impressions of properties form within seconds. In an interview discussing upcoming trends for 2026, Markuskova addressed evolving design preferences and challenged common assumptions about color choices, noting that "white is not always clean." She also provided guidance on when property owners should invest in premium facade technologies, highlighting the economic value of quality exterior design in real estate markets.

|
Society

Architect Emphasizes Building Facades as Key Investment in Property Value

Slovak architect Marianna Markusková from the MUUR studio highlighted the crucial role of building facades in creating first impressions and determining property value. She discussed emerging trends for 2026, explaining that facade design goes beyond simple color choices and represents a significant investment in a home's worth. Markusková addressed common misconceptions, noting that "white is not always clean" and provided guidance on when premium facade technologies justify their cost. The architect emphasized that property impressions form within seconds, with the facade playing the primary role in that initial assessment.

|
Society

Attacker in Spišská School Stabbing Denies Murder Charges, Claims Impulsive Act

Samuel S., a student who carried out a stabbing attack at a gymnasium in Spišská, has denied charges of premeditated murder, claiming his actions were impulsive rather than planned. The 19-year-old defendant had purchased a knife just over a week before the attack and used it to fatally stab two people at the school. His victims were deputy headmistress Mária Semančíková, who had proposed transferring him to an individual study plan, and classmate Alena Čarnogurská, who had reported his death threats to authorities out of fear for her safety. The attack occurred when Samuel was supposed to attend commission examinations at the school. The case is being heard at the Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok, where the defendant initially expressed interest in the proceedings before denying the murder charges.

|
Society

Slovak Academy Head Warns About Sophisticated Disinformation Methods

The head of the Slovak Academy of Sciences has warned about increasingly sophisticated methods of spreading disinformation, citing persistent conspiracy theories like claims that the moon landing was fake as examples of how people can be misled. Martin Venhart noted that if people can be convinced of such obvious falsehoods, they remain vulnerable to more advanced disinformation techniques being used today. He emphasized that Slovakia has talented people who should be recognized, suggesting the need to counter narratives that undermine public trust in scientific achievements and institutions.

|
Society

Murder trial opens in Spiš region case

A murder trial has begun in Slovakia's Spiš region, with a defendant claiming he saw "green smoke coming from her eyes" as justification for the killing. Court proceedings opened with expert testimony examining the mental state of the accused. The case involves a homicide that occurred in the Spišská area, though specific details about the victim and circumstances of the crime have not been disclosed as the trial begins.

|
Society

Slovak Medical Student's Story Highlights Pressure on Top Students and Brain Drain

Nina Vyšná, a 32-year-old from the small Liptov region village of Pavčina Lehota, enrolled in medical school after high school despite having no genuine desire to become a doctor. She entered medicine not out of passion but because she was unaware of alternative career paths beyond traditionally recognized professions. The cultural pressure to make immediate decisions after graduation made taking a gap year unthinkable, as students are told "if you don't go study now, you'll never return to it." Vyšná soon realized medicine was not suited for her and eventually left the field. Her experience illustrates the broader challenges facing Slovakia's education system, where academically gifted students face intense pressure to pursue prestigious careers like medicine, often leading to mismatched career choices. The case also reflects Slovakia's ongoing struggle with young professionals leaving the country for opportunities abroad, contributing to the nation's brain drain particularly in critical sectors like healthcare.

|
Society

Man convicted of stalking ex-girlfriend through hidden surveillance device

A Slovak court convicted a man of stalking his former girlfriend after he secretly installed listening devices in the ceiling to monitor her activities. The case initially resulted in an acquittal, but the defendant was subsequently sentenced to a suspended prison term on appeal. The conviction highlights the country's efforts to address domestic surveillance and stalking cases, which often involve the use of hidden recording equipment to harass former partners.

|
Society

Slovak business students honor legendary entrepreneur Baťa with school festival

Students at a Bratislava business academy organized Baťafest, an interactive conference celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Tomáš Baťa, the legendary Czech-Slovak entrepreneur and founder of the global shoe empire. The event, held at the Commercial Academy on Nevädzová Street, was organized by second-year students from the Economic Lyceum program and focused on entrepreneurship and business values. The festival demonstrates how Slovak educational institutions are incorporating the legacy of historical business figures into their curriculum, with Baťa serving as an enduring symbol of Central European entrepreneurial success and innovation.

|
Society

Seven People Killed in 186 Traffic Accidents Across Slovakia Last Week

Seven people died in 186 traffic accidents across Slovakia during the past week, according to police statistics. Since the beginning of the year, Slovak police have recorded a total of 2,903 traffic accidents on the country's roads. The weekly figures highlight ongoing road safety concerns in the Central European nation of 5.4 million people, where traffic accidents remain a persistent public safety issue.

|
Society

Prešov Region Plans to Open Six New Medical Clinics Despite Cost Concerns

The Prešov regional government announced plans to establish six new medical ambulatory clinics to improve healthcare accessibility in the region. Regional legislators criticized the proposed costs, which amount to 260,000 euros per clinic. The Prešov Region, located in eastern Slovakia, has faced ongoing challenges with healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where medical services are often limited or require long travel distances for residents.

|