Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
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Slovak Historical Society Cancels Meeting with State TV Director Over Journalist Dismissals

The Slovak Historical Society at the Slovak Academy of Sciences has cancelled a scheduled meeting with the director of Slovak Public Television and Radio (STVR) in response to recent dismissals of journalists at the state broadcaster. The cancellation represents a protest against personnel changes at STVR, where several reporters have been let go. STVR is Slovakia's public broadcasting service, which has faced scrutiny over editorial independence and staffing decisions. The Slovak Academy of Sciences is the country's premier research institution, and its historical society's decision to cancel the meeting signals academic opposition to the media outlet's current management practices.

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Society

Wildlife Expert Advises Against Climbing Trees During Bear Encounters, Recommends Spray as Most Effective Defense

A Slovak wildlife expert has issued guidance on bear safety, emphasizing that bears typically try to avoid human contact and advising against climbing trees during encounters. The expert identified bear spray as the most effective method for deterring potential attacks. This year has seen fewer signs of bear activity compared to previous periods, according to wildlife observations. Slovakia is home to one of Europe's largest brown bear populations, with the animals primarily inhabiting the mountainous regions of the country, particularly in the Carpathians where encounters with hikers and rural communities occasionally occur.

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Society

Slovak Bishops Call Easter Message Source of Hope Amid Uncertainty

Slovakia's Catholic bishops have highlighted Easter's contemporary relevance as a message of hope during times of uncertainty. The bishops emphasized the Christian belief that Jesus died and rose from the dead, presenting this as a source of comfort and guidance for believers facing current challenges. The statement reflects the Church's effort to connect the traditional Easter message with modern concerns affecting Slovak society.

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Society

Slovak Prisons Organize Easter Religious and Cultural Programs for Inmates

Slovak correctional facilities are preparing special Easter programming for inmates, including organized religious services and cultural-educational activities. All prisons across the country will host religious ceremonies and services to mark the Easter holiday period, providing inmates with opportunities for spiritual observance and cultural engagement during the important Christian celebration.

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Society

Slovak Woman Advocates for Disability Awareness Through Social Media

Soňa Joppová uses social media to raise public awareness about life with disabilities through her direct and honest communication style. She is married to Martin Joppa, a leading Slovak Paralympian and captain of the national para-hockey team. Martin lost both legs in a childhood accident when he was eight years old, after being struck by a drunk driver. Soňa describes their relationship as normal rather than heroic, challenging common misconceptions about marriages involving people with disabilities.

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Society

Neck Pain Significantly Affects Quality of Life, Slovak Doctors Issue Prevention Guidelines

Neck pain has become one of the most common ailments affecting modern people in Slovakia, impacting both manual workers and office employees who spend long hours at computers. Medical professionals warn that while neck pain may seem like a temporary inconvenience, it can significantly reduce quality of life and may indicate more serious underlying health conditions. Doctors are advising the public on warning signs to watch for and prevention measures to address what has become a widespread health issue in the digital age.

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Society

Residents Mobilize Against Tarabova Power Plant Project, Plan Legal Challenges

Local residents are mounting opposition to the proposed Tarabova power plant project after employees from Vodohospodárska výstavba, a state water management construction company, arrived on their properties. The affected community members have decided to escalate their fight against the development by filing complaints with the European Commission and preparing a constitutional challenge at Slovakia's Constitutional Court. The residents describe themselves as frightened by the project's implications for their area and are determined to use all available legal avenues to block the power plant's construction.

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Society

Collagen Supplements Flood Slovak Market as Experts Weigh In on Proper Usage

Collagen supplements have flooded the Slovak market, becoming widely available in pharmacies and drugstores in various forms. As with other dietary supplements, consumers are questioning how to properly use collagen products to achieve desired results. Experts are providing guidance on the correct methods for collagen supplementation to maximize effectiveness.

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Society

Domestic Violence Advisory Column Addresses Marital Conflict and Child Welfare Concerns

An advice column in Slovak media addressed a concerning domestic situation involving marital discord and potential child abuse. A mother wrote seeking guidance about her husband's aggressive behavior toward their 14-year-old son, including a physical altercation where the father grabbed the teenager by the neck. The woman described living in a non-harmonious relationship with her husband, citing fundamental disagreements about child-rearing approaches and her husband's inability to understand different perspectives. She expressed concern about creating a supportive environment for their adolescent son during puberty while dealing with increasingly difficult household tensions.

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Society

Slovak Parents Grapple with Social Media's Impact on Children's Body Image in the Age of Weight-Loss Drugs

Slovak parents are increasingly concerned about social media's influence on their children's body image and self-acceptance, particularly as weight-loss treatments become more accessible. A Bratislava mother reports that her 12-year-old daughter, despite having a naturally slim figure, has become preoccupied with appearance after being allowed to use Instagram. The parent attributes this shift to constant exposure to cosmetic company marketing, subliminal advertising, and influencer content on social platforms. The concerns arise during a period when pharmaceutical weight-loss treatments like Ozempic have made achieving slimness easier than ever before, creating new pressures around body image and self-acceptance among young people.

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Society

EU Smoking Rates Decline While New Risk Products Spread Among Youth

Smoking rates across the European Union are declining, according to new data, but health officials are expressing concern about the growing popularity of new tobacco and nicotine products among young people. The trend comes as harmonized EU regulations have improved the functioning of the internal market for tobacco products. While traditional cigarette use continues to drop across member states, alternative products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices are gaining traction particularly among younger demographics, potentially offsetting some of the public health gains from reduced conventional smoking.

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Society

Slovak Police Launch Crackdown on Electric Scooter Riders with Fines Up to Four Figures

Slovak police have launched a targeted enforcement campaign against electric scooter riders, with potential fines reaching into the thousands of euros. The crackdown focuses on violations including riding in pairs and endangering pedestrians on sidewalks and in pedestrian zones. The enforcement action comes as electric scooters have become increasingly popular in Slovak cities, leading to growing safety concerns about improper use of the devices in areas designated for pedestrian traffic.

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Society

Canadian Professor Acquitted in Sexual Crime Case in Slovakia

A Canadian professor has been definitively acquitted of sexual crime charges in Slovakia, ending a lengthy legal saga. The case has attracted enough attention that the professor's lawyer is now writing a book about the Scheffel case. The acquittal represents the final resolution of what appears to have been a protracted legal battle involving the academic.

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Society

Slovak Municipality Loses Millions and School Project Due to Bungled Tender Process

A Slovak municipality has lost millions in funding and its planned school construction project after a tender process went wrong. Local officials are attributing the failure to mistakes made by an external company that was handling the procurement process. The failed tender has cost the community what was described as a historic investment opportunity, leaving residents without the promised educational facility and the municipality without the substantial funding that had been allocated for the project.

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Society

Construction Vibrations Causing Wall Cracks, Engineers Warn Property Owners to Take Precautions

Slovakia's Chamber of Construction Engineers is advising property owners to take preventive measures against structural damage from construction vibrations even before building projects begin in their neighborhoods. The professional body issued guidance after reports of strong vibrations and wall cracks affecting nearby buildings during construction work. The chamber recommends property owners document the condition of their buildings before construction starts and remain vigilant throughout the building process to protect against potential damage from heavy machinery and construction activities.

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Society

Construction Engineers Chamber Issues Guidelines on Building Vibration Damage Prevention

Slovakia's Chamber of Construction Engineers has issued advisory guidelines regarding building vibrations and structural damage, particularly focusing on preventive measures during the planning stages of construction projects. The recommendations address concerns about strong vibrations that can cause wall cracks and other structural problems in nearby buildings. The chamber emphasized the importance of being vigilant even during the preliminary planning phases of construction work, before actual building begins. The guidelines aim to help property owners and construction professionals identify potential risks and take appropriate precautionary measures to prevent damage to existing structures from construction-related vibrations.

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Society

Health Minister Reduces Crisis Managers in Hospitals, Says Will Not Pay Them for Nothing

Slovak Health Minister Kamil Šaško is cutting the number of crisis managers working in the country's hospitals, stating he refuses to pay them for doing nothing. Slovakia currently employs 89 crisis managers across its hospital network. The move represents Šaško's effort to reduce what he views as unnecessary spending on administrative positions within the healthcare system. Crisis managers were typically appointed to oversee hospital operations during financial or operational difficulties, but the minister appears to question their current effectiveness and value.

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Society

Doctor Returns to Eastern Slovak Town Where Apartments Cost 80,000 Euros But Remain Unaffordable for Locals

A surgeon named Šimon has returned to work in his hometown of Svidník, a town in eastern Slovakia near the Polish border. While apartments in the area can be purchased for around 80,000 euros, these prices remain prohibitively expensive for local residents given the region's lower average incomes. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of housing affordability in Slovakia's smaller towns, where even relatively modest property prices by national standards can be out of reach for local workers. Eastern Slovakia has historically faced economic challenges and lower wages compared to the western regions of the country, making homeownership difficult even when absolute prices appear reasonable.

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Society

Danone Recalls Baby Formula from Slovak Market Due to Toxin Contamination

French food giant Danone has withdrawn infant formula from the Slovak market after detecting the presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause vomiting, fatigue, and dehydration in babies. The recall affects baby food products distributed in Slovakia, marking a significant food safety concern for parents and caregivers. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced by certain bacteria that can survive standard food processing temperatures, making contaminated products particularly dangerous for infants whose immune systems are still developing.

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Society

Bardejov Secondary School to Undergo Major Renovation Worth 2.4 Million Euros

A secondary school in Bardejov will undergo a comprehensive renovation project valued at 2.4 million euros. The project includes reconstruction of school buildings and upgrading of classroom equipment. Bardejov is a historic town in northeastern Slovakia near the Polish border, and the investment represents a significant modernization effort for educational infrastructure in the region.

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