Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 20/06/2026 21:40 · 28 articles added
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Social Enterprise Café for Disabled Workers Faces Closure Due to Legal Changes

A specialized café that employs people who struggled to find work in the regular job market faces potential closure as Slovakia prepares to change regulations governing social enterprises. The establishment, which provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to conventional employment, has operated for years under current social enterprise rules. However, upcoming legislative changes to the framework for social enterprises could force the café to shut down, potentially leaving vulnerable workers without their specialized employment opportunities.

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Society

Slovakia Marks International Women's Day Amid Gender Equality Concerns

Slovakia observed International Women's Day as discussions continue about gender disparities in the country. Despite women representing a larger portion of the population, they remain underrepresented in positions of economic and political power. The observation of the international day highlights ongoing challenges regarding gender equality in Slovak society, where women continue to face barriers in accessing leadership roles in both the private and public sectors.

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Society

Female Politicians Face Death Threats and Sexist Harassment Online, EU Addresses Internet Hate

Female politicians in Slovakia are experiencing targeted online harassment including death threats and sexist attacks that their male counterparts do not face. Women in political positions report receiving threats against their lives, being told to return to domestic roles like cooking, and facing criticism over their appearance and clothing choices rather than their political positions. The European Union has begun addressing the broader issue of online hate speech and harassment targeting women in politics across member states.

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Society

Animal Welfare Expert Calls for Mandatory Cat Castration to Combat Overpopulation Crisis

A Slovak animal welfare advocate is calling for mandatory castration programs to address the country's severe cat overpopulation problem, describing cats as treated like "consumer goods" in Slovakia. Matej Závacký's comments come as animal shelters report alarming cases of injured and abandoned cats. At the Regional Animal Freedom Center in Prešov, workers care for cats like Connor, an orange tom who arrived half-blind with a dead tail after street fights with other cats. The shelter houses numerous cats missing body parts from injuries, highlighting the consequences of uncontrolled breeding and abandonment. Slovakia lacks comprehensive animal welfare legislation addressing pet overpopulation, leaving rescue organizations to handle the crisis with limited resources. The situation reflects broader issues with animal protection in the country, where experts say cats are often viewed as disposable rather than as animals deserving proper care and medical attention.

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Society

Remove Salt Shaker from Dining Table to Lower Blood Pressure, Nutrition Expert Advises

A nutrition expert is recommending that people remove salt shakers from their dining tables as a simple way to reduce high blood pressure risks. While salt is essential in small amounts for bodily functions and is commonly used to enhance flavor and preserve food, it has become one of the most controversial dietary components due to its impact on blood pressure and heart health. Many people are unaware of how much sodium they consume daily from hidden sources in common foods including bread, cheese, processed meats, cured meats, and ready-made meals, the expert warns.

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Society

Slovak Teenagers Struggle with Vaping Addiction, Spending Over 100 Euros Monthly

Slovak teenagers are facing serious vaping addiction issues, with some spending more than 100 euros per month on vaping products. A teenage girl described experiencing withdrawal symptoms, including trembling when trying to quit. Many young people initially began vaping to fit in with their peers but now find themselves unable to stop the habit, highlighting growing concerns about nicotine addiction among Slovakia's youth.

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Society

Respiratory illness rates decline in Slovakia as COVID-19 cases remain low

Slovakia recorded a decline in acute respiratory illnesses and influenza during the past week, with health authorities reporting 22 new COVID-19 cases. The drop in respiratory infections comes as the country continues to monitor seasonal illness patterns, with COVID-19 maintaining relatively low transmission levels compared to previous periods of the pandemic.

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Society

AI-Generated Photo of Detained Ukrainians Circulates Online in Slovakia

A digitally manipulated photograph purporting to show detained Ukrainians is spreading across Slovak social media platforms. The image was identified as artificially generated using AI technology after being flagged by readers of the Aktuality news website. The incident highlights growing concerns about the spread of disinformation targeting Ukrainian refugees and Slovakia's support for Ukraine, as fabricated content becomes increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from authentic imagery.

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Society

Archbishop Bober Undergoes Planned Heart Surgery

Archbishop Bober underwent a planned heart operation at a medical facility in Šaca. The 75-year-old religious leader, who celebrated his birthday last year, received the scheduled cardiac procedure as part of his medical care.

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Society

New National Park Zoning Rules Favor Developers and Reduce Water Protection, Opposition Claims

Slovakia's opposition party Progressive Slovakia has criticized new zoning regulations for national parks, arguing they benefit property developers while weakening environmental protections for water resources. The changes are expected to affect multiple protected areas, including the Starina region in eastern Slovakia. Progressive Slovakia, a liberal opposition party that advocates for environmental protection, contends the revised zoning system undermines conservation efforts in Slovakia's national parks, which are designated areas meant to preserve the country's most valuable natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

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Society

February Activities Bring Joy to Bratislava Region Care Facility

The CSS Merema care facility in Bratislava region celebrated a busy February filled with activities and shared moments despite being the shortest month of the year. The facility reported that February was marked by laughter, music, and pleasant aromas, creating a positive atmosphere for residents and staff.

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Society

February Activities Bring Joy to Merema Social Services Center

The Merema Social Services Center in Bratislava region celebrated a month filled with activities and shared experiences during February. Despite being the shortest month of the year, February proved rich in entertainment, joy, and community moments for residents and staff. The facility organized various programs centered around laughter, music, and good food, creating a positive atmosphere throughout the month.

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Society

Slovak National Park Urges Tourists to Stop Using Trail Signs as Sticker Displays

The Tatra National Park (TANAP) has issued an appeal to tourists asking them to stop treating trail directional signs as exhibition spaces for stickers and other decorative items. The national park authority emphasized that these signs are meant to provide navigation guidance for hikers, not serve as displays for personal memorabilia. The practice has become problematic enough that damaged signs must now be replaced, creating additional maintenance costs and potential safety issues for visitors who rely on clear trail markings for navigation in Slovakia's mountainous terrain.

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Society

Bratislava University Hospital purchases three MRI machines for 9.55 million euros

Bratislava University Hospital has acquired three magnetic resonance imaging machines with a combined value of nearly 9.55 million euros. The most expensive device, costing approximately 3.68 million euros including VAT, will be installed at Ružinov Hospital, while the MRI machine for Kramáre Hospital is valued at about 3.21 million euros. The University Hospital of Bratislava operates multiple medical facilities across Slovakia's capital, providing specialized healthcare services to patients in the region. This significant investment in medical imaging technology aims to enhance the hospital system's diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care quality.

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Society

Six-kilogram baby boy born in Prešov, second-largest newborn in Slovak history

A baby boy weighing six kilograms was born in Prešov, making him the second-largest newborn in Slovakia's recorded history. The obstetrician praised the medical team's performance during the delivery, saying they handled the situation fantastically. The unusually large birth weight represents a rare medical occurrence that required careful management during labor and delivery.

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Society

Slovak Glaucoma Society Invites Public for Eye Pressure Screening

The Slovak Glaucoma Society is organizing public screenings to measure intraocular pressure as part of efforts to detect glaucoma early. Glaucoma, commonly known as green cataract, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the optic nerve and visual pathways in the brain. The condition can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated, making early detection through regular eye pressure monitoring crucial for preventing blindness.

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Society

Progressive Slovakia Warns National Parks Face Threat from Zoning Changes

Progressive Slovakia, an opposition liberal party, warned that four of Slovakia's national parks could become meaningless designations following controversial zoning decisions. Tamara Stohlová, the party's environmental spokesperson and deputy chair of parliament's agriculture and environment committee, said the changes threaten to reduce the parks to paper-only protections. The warning comes amid ongoing disputes over environmental protection policies under the current government led by Robert Fico's Smer-SD party. Slovakia's national parks are crucial protected areas that preserve the country's biodiversity and natural heritage, but have faced pressure from development and economic interests.

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