Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 21:40 · 36 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Society

View all1931 stories
Society

Residents of Lietavská Lúčka protest as cement plant resumes original production

Slovakia's second-oldest cement plant has changed its production program and returned to its original cement manufacturing operations, sparking growing opposition from residents in the village of Lietavská Lúčka. Local inhabitants are complaining about corrosive dust emissions and expressing serious concerns about their health and air quality. The plant's return to traditional cement production has reignited environmental and health fears among the community, who are worried about the impact of industrial emissions on their daily lives and long-term wellbeing.

|
Society

Customs Officials Seize Large Quantity of Kratom in Trenčín Tobacco Shop Raid

Customs officials conducted a raid at a tobacco shop in Trenčín, seizing a large quantity of a light green substance that an employee identified as kratom. The substance is banned in Slovakia under drug legislation. Police have taken over the investigation into the case. Kratom is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia that contains psychoactive compounds and is prohibited in several European countries including Slovakia due to its potential for abuse and health risks.

|
Society

Group of Men Attack Minors with Hands and Sticks in Eastern Slovakia

A group of men violently attacked several minors, including at least one child, using their hands and sticks in an assault that has prompted criminal charges. The attackers now face formal accusations in connection with the incident. The attack targeted multiple underage victims, raising concerns about youth safety in the region. Slovak authorities have moved quickly to press charges against the perpetrators following the violent assault on the minors.

|
Society

Slovak TV Host Opens Up About Initial Disappointment Over Son's Gender

Barbara Jagušák, a Slovak television presenter and PR manager, has publicly shared her experience of initial disappointment upon learning she was expecting a son rather than a second daughter. Jagušák admitted she had hoped to raise two girls and felt she needed validation that mixed-gender sibling relationships could work well. She described experiencing genuine sadness when doctors informed her during her second pregnancy that she was carrying a boy, acknowledging that such feelings about a child's gender are more common than many parents admit. The media personality has since recognized her initial assumptions were wrong, stating that her son and daughter have developed a close sibling bond that contradicted her earlier beliefs about gender dynamics between siblings.

|
Society

Reader Seeks Advice on Marriage Trust Issues After Husband Concealed Job Problems

A Slovak woman has written to advice columnists describing her shock at discovering her husband of twelve years had been lying about serious problems at his workplace for several months. The woman, who has two children with her husband, said she had always viewed their relationship as stable and based on honesty. She revealed that while her husband claimed everything was fine at work, he was actually facing the threat of dismissal and had been dealing with ongoing workplace difficulties. The woman expressed concern about whether the betrayal of trust would permanently damage their relationship.

|
Society

Father Walks from Košice to Bratislava to Raise Funds for Son's Life-Saving Treatment

Richard Olexa completed a walking journey from Košice to Bratislava in an effort to raise one million euros for his son Vilko's medical treatment. Olexa, whose son suffers from a rare condition, undertook the approximately 400-kilometer walk to find "one million good people" willing to contribute to the costly therapy. The father expressed hope that the fundraising campaign could help save not only his son's life but potentially the lives of other children with similar conditions. Olexa described feeling fortunate that a treatment exists for his son's illness, though the expensive medication remains out of reach without public support. The walking campaign represents both a father's determination to secure life-saving treatment for his child and an attempt to raise awareness about rare diseases affecting multiple families.

|
Society

Former Tennis Star Promotes Vodka as 'Fit Drink,' Sparks Expert Criticism

Dominika Cibulková, a former professional tennis player, has faced criticism from health experts after promoting vodka as a "fit drink." Medical professionals have condemned the marketing campaign, stating that ethanol in alcohol is toxic and that such uncritical advertising could mislead young people into believing that drinking alcohol is a normal part of a healthy lifestyle. The controversy highlights concerns about how alcoholic beverages are marketed to health-conscious consumers, particularly when promoted by sports figures who traditionally represent fitness and wellness.

|
Society

Slovak Schools Split on May 8th Operations as Teachers Face Work Day Scheduling Dilemma

Slovak schools are taking different approaches to May 8th operations, with some remaining open while others will close to give teachers paid recovery time off. The Ministry of Education has issued guidance recommending schools stay open and advising against director-declared days off, but schools are implementing varying policies. Teachers who work on May 8th will receive either additional compensation or substitute time off. Some institutions, including the Commercial Academy on Dudova Street in Bratislava, plan to continue regular classes throughout the day. May 8th falls during a period when Slovak schools typically navigate complex scheduling around spring holidays and commemorative dates. The divergent approaches reflect ongoing tensions between official ministry guidance and local school autonomy in managing teacher workload and student attendance. The decision to offer "sick days" or vacation time for teachers at some schools suggests efforts to address educator burnout and provide additional rest periods during the academic year.

|
Society

Michalovce Hospital Begins Performing Total Wrist Joint Replacements

Penta Hospitals Michalovce has expanded its surgical capabilities to include total wrist endoprosthesis procedures, making it the first facility in the region to offer replacement surgeries for all upper limb joints. The hospital's trauma department now performs these complex wrist replacement operations alongside its existing joint replacement services. The addition of wrist joint replacement surgery represents a significant expansion of specialized orthopedic care in eastern Slovakia, where such advanced procedures were previously unavailable locally.

|
Society

Czech Republic Bans Sale of 44 Baby Food Products Due to Toxin Contamination

Czech authorities have banned the sale of 44 baby food products after detecting the presence of cereulide, a dangerous toxin. The ban comes amid ongoing investigations into contaminated infant formula, including a separate case in Austria where rat poison was discovered in a jar of HiPP-brand baby food with carrot and meat flavor. The Austrian incident has prompted broader scrutiny of baby food safety across Central Europe, with authorities taking precautionary measures to protect infants from potentially harmful substances in commercial food products.

|
Society

Slovakia Offers State-Subsidized Recreation Program for Seniors

Slovakia has introduced a government subsidy program providing 100 euros per person to help seniors afford recreational activities. The program includes digital tracking systems designed to prevent individuals from claiming the benefit multiple times, ensuring each eligible senior receives the subsidy only once per designated period. The initiative represents part of the government's efforts to support the country's aging population by making leisure and recreational opportunities more financially accessible to retirees and elderly citizens.

|
Society

Self-Defense Organization Under Education Ministry Faces Criticism for Video Depicting Violence Against Women

A self-defense organization called Sorudo, which operates under the oversight of Slovakia's Education Ministry, has drawn criticism for producing a video that appeared to imitate attacks on women. The video content was described as promoting a toxic trend with the message "if she rejects you, hit her, kick her, stab her," according to reports. The incident has raised concerns about the appropriateness of content being produced by organizations connected to government ministries, particularly those involved in educational or training activities.

|
Society

Driver caught with methamphetamine syringe and drug packages instead of license

Police in eastern Slovakia charged a driver with drug crimes after discovering he was carrying a syringe filled with methamphetamine and additional drug packages during a traffic stop. The man was found without a valid driver's license when officers pulled him over. Authorities have filed criminal charges against the suspect for drug-related offenses. The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Slovak law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and usage on the country's roads.

|
Society

Slovakia requires separate sales areas for insect-containing foods

Slovakia has amended its food regulations to require that products containing insects be sold separately from other foods. The new legislation also establishes mandatory disclosure requirements for online retailers, who must inform consumers about insect ingredients before order completion. Additionally, the rules mandate proper labeling of insect-containing products sold through vending machines. The changes reflect Slovakia's implementation of European Union regulations that allow certain insects to be used as food ingredients, while addressing consumer concerns about transparency and choice in food purchasing.

|
Society

Education Ministry Publishes Results of Ukrainian Children Integration Project

Slovakia's Education Ministry has released findings from a project focused on integrating Ukrainian children into the country's education system. The initiative was funded through European Union funds and Slovakia's national recovery program. The project comes as Slovakia continues to host Ukrainian refugees who fled their homeland following Russia's invasion in February 2022, with thousands of Ukrainian children requiring integration into Slovak schools and educational services.

|
Society

Slovak Court Imposes Lifetime Driving Ban for Repeat Drunk Driving Offense

A Slovak court has imposed a lifetime driving ban on a repeat drunk driving offender and ordered the confiscation of their vehicle to the state. The Trenčín District Court handed down the sentence after the driver committed their third alcohol-related driving offense, representing a pattern of repeated violations. Under Slovak law, courts can impose lifetime driving bans for serious repeat traffic offenses, particularly those involving alcohol, as part of efforts to protect public safety on the roads.

|
Society

Slovakia's Health Ministry Announces Simplified Drug Approval Process

Slovakia's Ministry of Health has announced plans to streamline the approval process for new medications entering the market. The new pharmaceutical policy aims to accelerate the introduction of innovative drugs into the healthcare system and improve access to modern treatments for patients. The ministry has also promised to address critical drug shortages that have affected the country's healthcare system.

|
Society

Post office manager charged with defrauding customers of 11,200 euros in Michalovce

Police in Michalovce have charged a 38-year-old post office manager with fraud after she allegedly stole 11,200 euros from two customers. The woman, who managed a local postal facility, is accused of taking the money from clients during their transactions. Investigators have classified the case as a serious fraud offense, which carries significant criminal penalties under Slovak law.

|
Society

Slovak man receives suspended sentence for threatening wife with arson and knife attack

A Slovak man received a suspended prison sentence after threatening to cut up his wife and pour gasoline around their home while screaming he would burn everyone alive. The man faced up to three years in prison but was given a conditional sentence instead of immediate incarceration. The case highlights domestic violence issues in Slovakia, where threats of physical harm and arson against family members constitute serious criminal offenses under the country's penal code.

|
Society

Slovak Commentary Examines Contradictions in Public Support for Ukraine and Gaza Conflicts

A Slovak media commentary has highlighted apparent contradictions in how some people express solidarity with different conflicts, questioning why individuals who display Ukrainian flags in support of Ukraine's war victims simultaneously justify disproportionate Palestinian casualties in Gaza. The analysis explores the psychology behind these seemingly conflicting moral positions, examining how personal convictions can sometimes lead to troubling justifications for civilian deaths. The commentary suggests that strong beliefs, while often well-intentioned, can sometimes become more dangerous than outright lies when they blind people to moral inconsistencies in their own positions.

|