Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 19/06/2026 21:42 · 44 articles added
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Slovakia to Approve New Kidney Cancer Treatment Drug

The Slovak Health Ministry announced plans to authorize a new drug for treating kidney cancer, addressing what medical experts describe as a significant public health challenge. Specialists have warned that kidney cancer cases are rising in Slovakia while modern treatment options remain largely inaccessible to patients. The ministry's decision comes as healthcare professionals have advocated for expanded access to advanced cancer therapies, particularly for kidney cancer patients who currently face limited treatment alternatives in the Slovak healthcare system.

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Society

Fraudsters Posing as Police Officer and Central Bank Employee Steal €39,000 from Woman

Police have launched criminal proceedings against fraudsters who impersonated a police officer and an employee of Slovakia's central bank to steal €39,000 from a woman. The scam involved the perpetrators using false identities to convince their victim to hand over the substantial sum of money. Slovak authorities are now investigating the case as fraud, though details about how the scheme was executed or whether suspects have been identified have not been disclosed.

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Society

Slovak Recycling Rate Rises 40% Since 2005, But Illegal Dumping Remains High

Slovakia's recycling rate has increased by approximately 40 percent since 2005, according to Michal Sebíň, director of Natur-Pack, one of the country's producer responsibility organizations. These organizations manage waste collection, sorting and recycling on behalf of manufacturers under Slovak environmental law. Despite the improvement in recycling, Sebíň noted that landfill disposal is declining only slowly and the number of illegal dumps remains high. He attributed the persistent waste management challenges to broader systemic issues, stating that the key to further progress lies in improving the overall business and legal environment in Slovakia.

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Society

Slovak Woman Falls Victim to International Tinder Romance Scam

Jana Reiterová, a 33-year-old Slovak woman, became the victim of an international romance scam on the dating app Tinder after ending a 14-year relationship. Following a peaceful separation from her long-term partner, with whom she had a three-year-old daughter, Reiterová entered the world of online dating for the first time. The scam not only resulted in financial losses but also caused significant emotional damage, as she had believed she was in a genuine romantic relationship with the perpetrator. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals on dating platforms, particularly those new to online dating after long-term relationships.

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Society

Community Organizer Runs Feminist Groups for Roma Girls in Central Slovakia

Kristína Maková works as a community organizer in Banská Bystrica and surrounding areas, where she runs programs for Roma girls from marginalized communities. The initiative focuses on empowering young Roma women, with participants expressing ambitions such as becoming police officers. However, these girls face significant barriers in the form of generational poverty, which Maková describes as more than just a lack of money but rather a complex set of interconnected problems. The work represents efforts to address educational and social inequalities facing Slovakia's Roma minority, which comprises roughly 8-10% of the population and often experiences discrimination and economic disadvantage.

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Society

Prešov Technical School to Become Center of Excellence in Robotics and AI

A technical secondary school in Prešov will undergo modernization to become one of 18 centers of excellence across Slovakia. The Secondary School of Electrical Engineering (SPŠE) in Prešov will strengthen its programs in robotics and artificial intelligence as part of the national upgrade. These centers of excellence represent a government initiative to enhance technical education and prepare students for advanced technology careers in key fields like robotics and AI.

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Society

Czech Magazine Heroine Defends Women-Only Awards Despite Acknowledging They Shouldn't Be Necessary

The editors of Czech magazine Heroine have defended their women-focused recognition program, saying that while ideally such gender-specific awards wouldn't be necessary, they remain essential for now. Ilona Kleníková, the magazine's editor, emphasized that their approach avoids what she calls "inspirational porn" — the practice of celebrating women who exhaust themselves trying to create change. Instead, she said the magazine highlights that even heroines need support and assistance. Speaking alongside editor-in-chief Michaela Kramárová, Kleníková discussed the reasoning behind their "Moje Heroine" (My Heroine) awards program, which recognizes Czech women's achievements. The editors addressed why they believe women-specific recognition remains important and shared stories of their award recipients, reflecting ongoing debates about gender equality and the need for targeted support in achieving it.

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Society

Experts Offer Guidance for Parents on Managing High School Entrance Exam Stress

Educational specialists are providing advice to Slovak parents on how to help ninth-grade students cope with stress and potential rejection during the high school entrance examination period. The experts recommend that parents acknowledge their children's fatigue, provide emotional security, and avoid adding additional pressure during this challenging time. The guidance also includes strategies for discussing test results with students and managing unsuccessful applications to secondary schools, particularly the competitive gymnasiums that serve as preparatory schools for university education.

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Society

Palestinian-Slovak Man Shares Family's Immigration Experience and Intergenerational Trauma

Nidal Saleh, a Slovak resident of Palestinian descent, has spoken publicly about his family's experience of displacement and the lasting psychological impact on multiple generations. Saleh described how his father felt like "a foreigner in his own country" and explained how this trauma continues to affect him and his children. His account provides insight into the experiences of Palestinian emigrants who have settled in Slovakia and other countries abroad, highlighting the enduring emotional consequences of displacement that can persist across generations within immigrant families.

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Society

Slovakia's Health Ministry Awaits Court Ruling on Most Expensive Drug's Reimbursement Status

Slovakia's Health Ministry remains without a court ruling regarding the cancellation of reimbursement status for the country's most expensive medication. The drug, which costs approximately two million euros, had its public funding categorization challenged in court proceedings that are still pending. The medication's high cost made it a significant burden on Slovakia's public healthcare budget when it was originally approved for state reimbursement. The court's decision will determine whether patients will continue to receive public funding for this costly treatment or whether they will need to seek alternative financing options.

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Society

Slovak Fitness Expert Advises Parents on Short Workout Solutions

Viktor Oliva, a Slovak educator, scientist and fitness trainer, has shared advice for parents struggling to find time for exercise since becoming fathers. Speaking on the podcast "Fathers in Diapers," Oliva acknowledged that having children dramatically reduces available workout time but emphasized that twenty minutes is sufficient for effective exercise. He recommends creating combinations of two or three exercises that target both upper and lower body parts, demonstrating that parents don't need hour-long sessions to maintain fitness. Oliva has adapted his own routine since becoming a father, even incorporating exercise into playtime with his son.

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Society

Man Dies After Axe Attack in Banská Bystrica

A 51-year-old man died following an axe attack in Banská Bystrica, a central Slovak city. The circumstances surrounding the violent incident are now under investigation by regional investigators. The case has been transferred to a regional investigator, indicating the serious nature of the crime.

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Society

Health Experts Highlight Iodine-Rich Foods as Alternative to Salt Consumption

Health specialists are promoting awareness of iodine-rich foods as an important dietary component, particularly as an alternative to excessive salt intake. Iodine serves as a crucial microelement essential for proper thyroid gland function and hormone production. While iodized table salt remains the primary source of iodine in most diets, health experts emphasize the need to limit salt consumption due to its negative health impacts. Nutritionists are therefore encouraging people to identify other food products that can provide adequate iodine intake while maintaining a healthier overall diet.

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Society

Building Authority Bypassed Neighbor's Objections to Approve Villa Construction Through Legal Loophole

A Slovak building authority issued final construction approval for a villa project by circumventing a neighbor's objections through a procedural workaround. The approval was granted despite concerns from an adjacent property owner who fears the structure could collapse and endanger local children. The case highlights how recent amendments to construction legislation, known as the Rážová amendment after a government official, have created new pathways for developers to obtain building permits while potentially limiting the rights of affected neighbors to raise safety objections during the approval process.

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Society

Košice University Hospital Performs 110 Modern Uterine Fibroid Treatments

The L. Pasteur University Hospital in Košice has achieved a significant milestone in uterine fibroid treatment, successfully performing 110 radiofrequency ablations using the MYOBLATE method over the past nine months. The MYOBLATE technique represents a minimally invasive approach that uses radiofrequency energy to treat uterine fibroids without requiring major surgery. This achievement demonstrates the growing importance and adoption of minimally invasive procedures in gynecological care, offering patients less traumatic treatment options with potentially faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods.

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Society

Slovak President Pellegrini Calls for End to Hatred at Holocaust Remembrance Event in Poprad

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini delivered a speech calling for an end to hatred and dehumanization in public discourse during a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Poprad. The event commemorated the first transport of Jews from Slovakia during World War II. Pellegrini, who leads the centrist Hlas party and serves as Slovakia's head of state, used the solemn occasion to address contemporary concerns about rising intolerance in public debate. The ceremony in Poprad, a city in northern Slovakia, marked one of the darkest chapters in Slovak history when the wartime Slovak state collaborated with Nazi Germany in the deportation of its Jewish population to concentration camps.

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Society

Prešov Regional Court Upholds Housing Protection for Roma Family, Blocks Demolition

The Regional Court in Prešov has confirmed legal protection for a Roma family's dwelling and refused to permit its demolition. The court emphasized the fundamental right to housing in its decision. The ruling represents a significant legal precedent in Slovakia, where Roma communities often face housing discrimination and forced evictions. The Regional Court in Prešov serves as a key judicial authority for eastern Slovakia, handling appeals and major civil cases including housing disputes.

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Society

Humenné Hospital Reports Sharp Increase in Blood Donors, Introduces Plasma Donation

The hospital in Humenné, a city in eastern Slovakia, has experienced a dramatic surge in blood donations with hundreds of new donors registering recently. The medical facility has also introduced plasma donation as a new service option for donors. The increase represents a significant boost to the regional blood supply, which is critical for medical procedures and emergency care in the area.

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Society

Road Deaths Drop 13% in Slovakia as EU Shows Overall Decline

Road fatalities decreased by 13 percent in Slovakia last year, significantly outpacing the European Union average decline of three percent. The reduction represents a notable improvement in road safety despite increasing numbers of vehicles and kilometers driven across the continent. The Slovak decline was among the steepest in the EU, suggesting that safety measures and enforcement efforts may be having a measurable impact on reducing traffic deaths in the country.

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Society

Slovakia Commemorates 84th Anniversary of First Transport to Auschwitz from Poprad

Slovakia marked the 84th anniversary of the first deportation transport that left the eastern Slovak city of Poprad for the Auschwitz extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. On March 25, 1942, approximately one thousand young Jewish women and girls were forcibly deported from Poprad to Auschwitz, marking the beginning of systematic deportations from Slovakia during World War II. The transport from Poprad was among the first organized deportations of Slovak Jews under the wartime Slovak State, a Nazi puppet regime led by Jozef Tiso that collaborated with Nazi Germany's Holocaust policies. This anniversary serves as an important moment of remembrance for Slovakia's Jewish community and Holocaust victims, highlighting a dark chapter in the country's wartime history when tens of thousands of Slovak Jews were murdered in Nazi concentration camps.

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