Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
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Kežmarok Hospital Opens New Operating Theater Worth 1.5 Million Euros

A new operating theater has opened at the hospital in Kežmarok, a town in northern Slovakia, following an investment of 1.5 million euros. The facility is expected to reduce waiting times for surgical procedures and expand the range of operations that can be performed at the hospital. The development represents a significant upgrade to medical infrastructure in the region, providing improved access to surgical care for residents of the area.

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Society

Key Expert Reports Read in Court for Kidnapped Student Sona Case

A Slovak court heard crucial expert reports in the case involving the kidnapping of student Sona during the latest court hearing. The proceedings focused on key forensic assessments and expert testimonies that could prove decisive in the high-profile criminal case. The trial is scheduled to continue on May 6 according to the court's hearing schedule, as the judicial process moves forward in what has become one of Slovakia's closely watched criminal cases involving the abduction of a young woman.

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Society

Child Support Payments in Slovakia Could Triple Under Proposed Changes

Child support payments in Slovakia could increase up to threefold under proposed changes currently being discussed by government officials. The reforms are being negotiated between Labor Minister Erik Tomáš and Justice Minister Boris Susko, who must reach agreement on the final terms. Legal experts anticipate that the proposed increases will create pressure for higher support amounts across all cases, potentially affecting thousands of Slovak families involved in child support arrangements.

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Society

Kidnapped Student Had Ketamine in Blood and Injection Marks on Body

A kidnapped student was found to have ketamine in her bloodstream and injection marks on her body, according to expert reports read during court proceedings. The forensic evidence was presented as part of ongoing legal proceedings in what appears to be a serious criminal case involving the abduction of a student. The expert testimonies suggest the victim may have been drugged during her captivity, though further details about the circumstances of the kidnapping or the current status of the case were not disclosed in the court session.

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Society

Police Operation Segal Uncovers Long-term Child Sexual Abuse Case

Slovak police have uncovered a case of long-term sexual abuse of a child during Operation Segal, a specialized law enforcement investigation. The suspect faces potential imprisonment of seven to 15 years if convicted of the charges. Operation Segal represents part of Slovakia's ongoing efforts to combat serious crimes against children, with the Special Prosecutor's Office, which handles major criminal cases, likely to oversee the prosecution given the severity of the charges.

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Society

Slovak Police Uncover Long-Term Sexual Abuse Case Against Stepfather

Slovak police in Bratislava have uncovered an exceptionally serious case involving sexual violence and child pornography during Operation SEGAL. A man is suspected of sexually abusing his stepdaughter over multiple years, beginning when she was very young. The case represents one of the most severe forms of child abuse investigated by Slovak authorities, involving both direct sexual violence against a minor and the production or possession of child pornography materials.

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Society

Relationship Advice Column Addresses Communication Issues in Long-Term Partnership

A relationship advice column in Slovak media addressed concerns from a reader experiencing communication difficulties with their partner of nearly seven years. The reader described growing uncertainty and loneliness as their partner avoids discussing important topics including their future together and having children. The advice column format represents the continued popularity of relationship guidance content in Slovak media, addressing common concerns about long-term relationship dynamics and communication challenges that many couples face.

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Society

Controversial campaigns in southern Slovakia use opposing national symbols to promote education agendas

Far-right Slovak Revival Movement and the Hungarian Rákóczi Association have launched competing campaigns in southern Slovakia that provocatively appropriate each other's national symbols. The Slovak group uses the image of Hungarian revolutionary Lajos Kossuth to recruit children to Slovak-language schools, while the Hungarian organization has co-opted Slovak national hero Ľudovít Štúr for their own educational promotion. The campaigns target Slovakia's ethnically mixed southern regions, where tensions between the Slovak majority and Hungarian minority have historically centered on language rights and education access. Both organizations are using the opposing side's revered historical figures in an apparent attempt to grab attention and advance their respective nationalist agendas in the sensitive area of minority education rights.

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Society

Slovak Commentary Critiques Judicial Standards Over 'Corridor Talk' Principle

A Slovak legal commentary has raised concerns about judicial standards by questioning what would happen if court proceedings began operating on the principle of "corridor talk." The piece suggests that if such informal discussions were to influence criminal proceedings, numerous convicted individuals could potentially have their cases reopened and some might be released from prison. The commentary appears to critique current practices in Slovakia's justice system, using colloquial language to highlight potential weaknesses in legal procedures and standards of evidence.

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Society

Journalist attacked with unknown substance during court proceedings in Nové Zámky

Journalist Ivan Brada was attacked with an unknown substance thrown into his eyes while covering court proceedings in Nové Zámky, a town in southwestern Slovakia. The attack occurred after Brada directed a question to a participant in the legal proceedings. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between media and subjects of judicial proceedings in Slovakia, where journalists frequently face hostility while attempting to report on court cases of public interest.

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Society

Slovak Radio Faces Job Cuts Following Internal Audit

Slovak Radio is preparing to implement staff layoffs following the completion of an internal audit. The public broadcaster's management has announced the cuts, which are being implemented under what some employees describe as questionable justifications. The decision has sparked emotional reactions among staff members, who view the layoffs as potentially unjustified given the circumstances surrounding the audit process.

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Society

Slovak Public Media Journalist Dismissed After 15 Years, Refuses to Accept Termination

Soňa Gyarfašová, a journalist with Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), was dismissed from her position after 15 years with the public broadcaster without any discussion with management. Gyarfašová, who specialized in reporting on people who survived Nazi and Communist totalitarian regimes, has refused to accept her termination notice and plans to challenge the dismissal in court. She describes a climate where freedom is disappearing at STVR and fear is taking its place. The dismissal has drawn public support and backing from media professionals. STVR is Slovakia's public broadcasting service, which has faced scrutiny over editorial independence and management decisions under various governments. Gyarfašová's case highlights ongoing tensions within Slovak public media regarding journalistic freedom and the treatment of staff who cover sensitive historical and political topics.

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Society

Police Arrest Two Suspects in Series of Thefts in Plešivec

Police have detained two individuals suspected of carrying out a series of thefts in Plešivec, a town in eastern Slovakia near the Hungarian border. The suspects allegedly entered private courtyards and properties searching for items they could steal and sell for money. The arrests mark the conclusion of an investigation into multiple theft incidents that had been plaguing the local community.

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Society

Slovak University Faculty Closes After 74 Years Due to Plummeting Student Interest

A Slovak university faculty will close after 74 years of operation due to a dramatic collapse in student enrollment, falling from 500 first-year students to just 35. The faculty will be merged with another institution as universities across Slovakia grapple with declining birth rates and changing educational preferences. The closure reflects broader demographic challenges facing Slovak higher education, where many institutions are consolidating programs or shutting down departments that can no longer attract sufficient students to remain viable.

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Society

Man Receives Nearly Seven Years in Prison for Robbery That Seriously Injured Elderly Woman

A Slovak court sentenced a man to nearly seven years in prison for robbing an elderly woman by pulling a chain from her neck, causing her to fall and sustain serious injuries. The defendant committed the robbery because he needed money to buy drugs. The case highlights ongoing concerns about drug-related crime affecting vulnerable members of society, as addicts resort to violent theft to fund their dependencies.

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Society

Slovak Healthcare Association Extends Contracts with Two Major Health Insurers

The Association of Slovak Hospitals has extended contracts with VšZP and Union ZP, two of Slovakia's major health insurance companies. VšZP confirmed that negotiations resulted in mutual agreement on basic principles and adjustments to contractual relationships. However, discussions with Dôvera, the country's largest private health insurer, are still ongoing. The contract extensions are significant for Slovakia's healthcare system, as these agreements determine how hospitals are reimbursed for patient care and affect the accessibility of medical services across the country's public and private healthcare network.

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Society

Slovakia Delays Expansion of Care Benefits to July, Simplifies Family Care Procedures

Slovakia has postponed the expansion of eligibility for care benefits (ošetrovné) until July, after initially planning earlier implementation. The legislative amendment will broaden the circle of people entitled to receive financial support while caring for sick family members. The new rules will also simplify procedures for alternating care responsibilities among family members during long-term care situations. Care benefits in Slovakia provide financial compensation for workers who must take time off to care for ill relatives, typically covering a portion of lost wages during the care period.

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Society

Medical Association Reaches Agreement with Two Major Health Insurers Despite Cost Concerns

The Association of Private Physicians (ZAP) has agreed to continue contractual relationships with VšZP and Union ZP, two of Slovakia's health insurance companies. The medical association warned that the agreed financial resources do not reflect the significant and long-term increase in costs associated with providing outpatient healthcare services. Slovakia operates a mandatory health insurance system where patients receive care through contracts between healthcare providers and insurance companies, making such agreements crucial for ensuring continued access to medical services.

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Society

Media Commentary Calls for End to Self-Censorship in Slovakia

A media commentary in Slovak publication Denník N has addressed the issue of self-censorship, arguing that there should be no doubt about whether it is time to speak out. The piece, titled "The Disease Called Self-Censorship," emphasizes urgency in breaking silence on important issues. The commentary suggests that while the best time to speak up was in the past, the second-best time is now, indicating concerns about media freedom and public discourse in Slovakia.

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Society

Corruption Kills! Campaign Highlights Public Perception Gap on White-Collar Crime

A new anti-corruption campaign in Slovakia argues that corruption should be viewed as seriously as violent crimes, pointing to a perception gap among voters. The "Corruption Kills!" initiative highlights how most voters do not react to corruption with the same emotional intensity as they do to murder or other violent crimes. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the serious societal impact of corruption, suggesting that white-collar crimes like graft and bribery cause significant harm to society even though they may not provoke the same visceral public response as physical violence. Slovakia has struggled with corruption issues across various levels of government and public institutions, making public awareness campaigns a key tool in efforts to combat systemic graft.

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