Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 10:36 · 59 articles added
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Grandmother Seeks Advice on Children's Screen Time and Communication

A grandmother of two children aged 9 and 12 has written to a Slovak newspaper seeking advice on how to address her grandchildren's excessive phone use. She reports that during family visits, both children spend most of their time on mobile devices - one playing games and the other watching videos - rather than engaging in conversation or reading books. The grandmother is looking for sensitive approaches to encourage more face-to-face interaction and reduce screen time dependency among her grandchildren.

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Society

Healthcare Audit Reveals Systemic Problems in Slovak Hospitals

A comprehensive audit has exposed significant financial and operational problems within Slovakia's hospital system, leaving healthcare institutions facing uncomfortable truths about their management practices. The findings have revealed a healthcare system struggling with mounting debt and fundamental structural issues that require immediate attention. The audit results indicate that Slovakia's hospitals must undertake necessary reforms to address their deteriorating financial situation and improve operational efficiency, as the current trajectory threatens the sustainability of the country's public healthcare infrastructure.

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Society

Town of Svit Reconstructs Sidewalks on Mierová Street Using Own Funds

The town of Svit has begun reconstruction of sidewalks on Mierová Street using its own municipal budget. The sidewalks were in poor to critical condition, prompting the local government to undertake the infrastructure project. Svit is a small town in eastern Slovakia's Prešov region, located near the High Tatras mountains, with a population of approximately 7,800 residents.

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Society

Commercial Academy in Prievidza Modernization Project to Finish This Summer

A modernization project at the Commercial Academy in Prievidza is scheduled to be completed during the summer months. The modernization includes upgrading facilities and training teaching staff in specialized subjects according to the latest educational trends. The project represents part of ongoing efforts to improve vocational education infrastructure in Slovakia's secondary schools.

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Society

Over 1,400 foreign students from 15 countries study at Prešov University

Prešov University in eastern Slovakia has enrolled more than 1,400 international students from 15 different countries. The largest groups of foreign students come from Ukraine, Belarus, and the Czech Republic. The university, located in Slovakia's third-largest city, reflects the country's growing appeal as an educational destination for students from neighboring countries and the broader region.

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Society

Psychologist Discusses Signs People Sense Approaching Death

A psychologist working with terminally ill patients says most people appear to know when death is approaching. She reports that nearly all patients speak shortly before dying about going somewhere, having someone waiting for them, or being called by someone. Many also describe dreams featuring deceased loved ones in their final days. The psychologist describes these experiences as common patterns she has observed throughout her professional work with dying patients.

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Society

Volunteers Collect Nearly Half of Target in Slovakia's '200 Tons Out of the Forest' Environmental Initiative

Volunteers participating in Slovakia's environmental cleanup project '200 Tons Out of the Forest' have collected nearly half of their target amount of waste from forests across the country. The initiative, which aims to remove 200 tons of garbage from woodland areas, was launched six years ago and has grown into a significant grassroots environmental movement. The project mobilizes volunteers to clean up illegal dumping sites and scattered waste in forests, helping to protect Slovakia's natural environment while raising awareness about proper waste disposal practices.

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Society

Czech Student Reflects on Managing Anxiety During Geopolitical Tensions

A 22-year-old Czech economics student from Prostějov described her emotional reaction to witnessing deteriorating diplomatic relations between the United States and Ukraine on television in February of last year. Adéla, a student at Prague University of Economics, was preparing for a sauna visit during a weekend trip home when she saw news coverage of a failed meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, after which the Ukrainian president left the White House early without reaching any agreement. The student reported feeling paralyzed by the news, saying she could barely breathe and felt like crying upon witnessing the diplomatic breakdown. The article appears to explore broader themes of how young people cope with geopolitical anxiety and uncertainty in the current international climate.

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Society

Volunteer Fire Brigade in Brezno Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The volunteer fire brigade in Brezno, a town in central Slovakia, is marking its 150th anniversary this year. Throughout its history, the fire brigade has regularly participated in organizing cultural, sports, and social events in the town, demonstrating its role as both an emergency service and community organization. The milestone anniversary highlights the long tradition of volunteer firefighting in Slovakia, where local fire brigades have served as important civic institutions in towns and villages across the country for more than a century.

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Society

Spring Gruntovačka Campaign to Clean Tourist Destinations Across Slovakia

Slovakia's annual spring cleaning initiative, known as Gruntovačka, will once again target tourist destinations across the country for environmental cleanup efforts. Regional tourism organizations have partnered with local municipal governments to select specific locations that will be cleaned as part of the campaign. The collaborative approach ensures that popular tourist sites receive focused attention during the spring cleaning period, combining tourism promotion efforts with environmental stewardship.

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Society

Ukrainian Woman Returns Home After Being Left Without Shelter at Slovak Railway Station

A Ukrainian woman was forced to spend the night at a railway station instead of receiving proper accommodation, highlighting significant gaps in Slovakia's refugee assistance system. The case exposed weaknesses in the country's support network for Ukrainian refugees, who have been fleeing to Slovakia since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The woman ultimately decided to return to Ukraine rather than remain without adequate shelter. Slovakia has been one of the main transit and destination countries for Ukrainian refugees, but this incident reveals ongoing challenges in providing consistent humanitarian assistance to displaced persons.

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Society

Progressive Slovakia Proposes Special Labels for Waste Containers to Help Visually Impaired Citizens

Progressive Slovakia (PS), an opposition liberal party, has proposed implementing special labels on waste collection containers to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired citizens. The initiative aims to make waste sorting more accessible by providing tactile or other specialized markers that would help people with visual disabilities properly identify different types of recycling bins. The proposal represents part of ongoing efforts to enhance public infrastructure accessibility for disabled citizens in Slovakia.

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Society

Former Prestigious Central European Sanatorium Now Lies in Ruins

A sanatorium that once represented the pride of Central Europe and was designed to help asthma patients recover their breath now stands as a crumbling ruin. The medical facility, which was considered ahead of its time fifty years ago, has fallen into severe disrepair and decay. The once-modern treatment center, which served patients with respiratory conditions, now symbolizes neglect and abandonment, marking the end of what was once a significant healthcare institution in the region.

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Society

Major Renovation of 65-Year-Old SNP Elementary School Progresses

Construction work has advanced on the comprehensive renovation of the SNP Elementary School, a 65-year-old educational facility. The extensive reconstruction project represents a significant investment in modernizing aging school infrastructure to improve educational facilities for students.

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Society

European Drug Agency Backs New Treatment for Recurring Lung Cancer

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval for Imdylltra (tarlatamab), a new drug for treating advanced small cell lung cancer in the European Union. The treatment is designed for adult patients whose cancer has returned during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of lung cancer that accounts for about 15% of all lung cancer cases and has historically had limited treatment options once it recurs after initial chemotherapy. The EMA's positive recommendation represents a significant development for patients with this difficult-to-treat cancer, as it opens the door for a new therapeutic option in cases where traditional chemotherapy has failed.

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Society

Technical Secondary School in Poprad to Undergo €1.5 Million Modernization

A technical secondary school in Poprad will receive a major modernization worth €1.5 million, funded through European Union structural funds. The project represents a significant investment in educational infrastructure in the northern Slovak city, which sits in the High Tatras region and serves as an important educational center for technical training in the area.

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Society

Slovak Civil Defense Experts Urge Citizens to Prepare Emergency Evacuation Kits

Slovak authorities are encouraging citizens to prepare emergency evacuation kits as natural disasters, industrial accidents, and sudden conflicts are no longer just scenarios from disaster films but potential realities that could affect the country. The initiative reflects growing concerns about emergency preparedness in Slovakia, where citizens are being advised to maintain ready-to-go supplies that could prove essential during rapid evacuations. Civil defense experts emphasize that such emergency situations can occur without warning, making advance preparation crucial for personal safety and survival.

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Society

Slovak Media Launches Fact-Checking Video Series Targeting Political Claims

Slovak daily Dennik N has launched a new video format called "Doba klamenná" (The Age of Lies) aimed at fact-checking politicians' statements in an easily digestible format. The series, presented by journalist Simona Tomková, analyzes current political claims and provides explanations to help viewers understand complex political discourse. The initiative comes as Slovakia faces ongoing debates over various issues, including the country's stance on international conflicts.

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Society

Five Canned Foods Support Healthy Aging, Nutritionists Say

Nutritionists have identified five canned food products that can support healthy aging without expensive supplements or complicated diets. According to dietary experts, properly selected canned foods provide valuable nutrients that benefit heart health, brain function, muscle maintenance, and skin condition. These affordable and convenient options offer an accessible approach to maintaining health as people age, though the specific products recommended were not detailed in the available information.

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Society

Senica Civic Association Combines Volunteering, Ecology and Youth Work

The civic association Senica 2.0 has expanded its activities to integrate volunteer work, environmental initiatives, and youth programs. The organization participates in the global Wings for Life charity run, with proceeds from the event directed toward spinal cord injury research. The association represents a community-based effort to address multiple social causes through coordinated volunteer activities.

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