Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 15:40 · 65 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

World

View all3073 stories
World

Future Hungarian PM candidate Magyar rejects protection from Orbán's Counter-Terrorism Centre

Péter Magyar, a leading opposition figure in Hungary, has rejected personal protection services from the Counter-Terrorism Centre, an agency operated under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government. Instead, Magyar's security will be provided by the Police Rapid Response Unit. Magyar has emerged as a prominent challenger to Orbán's rule, leading the Tisza Party opposition movement that has gained significant support in recent months. The decision to refuse protection from Orbán's counter-terrorism agency appears to reflect Magyar's distrust of government-controlled security services as he positions himself as the primary opposition candidate for future elections.

|
World

French Industrial Activity Rises to Two-Year High in April

French industrial activity increased in April, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reaching its highest level since May 2022. The PMI, which measures business conditions in the manufacturing sector, indicates improving economic momentum in France's industrial sector after nearly two years of weaker performance.

|
World

Czech Police Charge Former Justice Minister Pavel Blažek in Bitcoin Corruption Case

Czech police have filed charges against several more individuals in a major bitcoin corruption investigation, including former Justice Minister Pavel Blažek according to media reports. Blažek previously resigned from his ministerial position and withdrew from top-level politics due to his involvement in the scandal. The case represents a significant expansion of an ongoing cryptocurrency-related corruption probe that has already implicated multiple high-profile figures in Czech politics.

|
World

Ukrainian Police Conduct Anti-Corruption Raids Against Government Officials

Ukrainian police conducted widespread raids targeting government officials suspected of corruption, seizing money, cars, and motorcycles as part of the operation. Authorities filed more than 150 charges related to illegal enrichment and false asset declarations. The raids represent part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government institutions, an issue that has been a significant concern for the country and its international partners, particularly as Ukraine seeks closer integration with Western institutions.

|
World

Innocent Victims Die in Gang Shootouts as Sweden Battles Decade-Long Violence Crisis

Innocent bystanders have been killed in gang shootouts across Sweden, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with organized crime violence. Sweden has been fighting to suppress violence committed by local gangs for more than a decade, but the criminal groups continue to pose a significant public safety threat. The deaths of uninvolved civilians underscore the broader impact of gang warfare on Swedish society, as authorities work to contain violence that has plagued the Nordic nation for years.

|
World

Spanish Police Seize Record Cocaine Shipment in Atlantic Ocean

Spanish police intercepted a record-breaking cocaine shipment in the Atlantic Ocean from a vessel that had departed from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. The operation represents a significant success in international drug trafficking enforcement, targeting a major smuggling route between West Africa and Europe. Sierra Leone's capital has become a key transit point for South American cocaine destined for European markets, with criminal organizations using West African ports to avoid direct surveillance of traditional trafficking routes.

|
World

Poland's High School Exit Exams Begin Amid Test Photo Leak Investigation

Poland's annual maturity examinations, equivalent to high school graduation tests, began with hundreds of thousands of students taking written Polish language exams. The national education commission is investigating after photographs of test questions were leaked on social media platforms during the examination period. The maturity exams, known as "matura," are crucial standardized tests that Polish students must pass to graduate from secondary school and qualify for university admission.

|
World

Polish families spend over five billion zloty annually on first communion celebrations

Polish families collectively spend more than five billion zloty each year on first communion celebrations for their children. Available data shows that the number of children receiving their first communion remains above 300,000 annually. The significant expenditure reflects the continued importance of this Catholic sacrament in Polish society, where families typically invest substantial amounts in ceremonies, celebrations, and gifts marking this religious milestone for children around age seven or eight.

|
World

South Korean Military Prepared for Martial Law Before Its Declaration

The South Korean military began preparing for martial law months before it was officially declared, with signs of preparation emerging as early as the beginning of 2024. The preparations indicate that the imposition of martial law was not a spontaneous decision but rather a coordinated plan that had been in development for an extended period. This revelation raises questions about the timeline and circumstances that led to the eventual declaration of martial law in South Korea.

|
World

Israeli Opposition Leaders Push Term Limits for Prime Minister to Challenge Netanyahu

Two former Israeli prime ministers are working to unite opposition forces against Benjamin Netanyahu by proposing constitutional changes that would limit the prime minister's role to two terms. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid are attempting to attract additional opposition politicians to their campaign, which appears designed to prevent Netanyahu from continuing his long tenure in office. Netanyahu has served as Israel's prime minister for over 15 years across multiple terms, making him the country's longest-serving leader. The proposed term limits would represent a significant constitutional reform in Israel's parliamentary system, where the prime minister traditionally serves as long as they can maintain a governing coalition in the Knesset.

|
World

Polish President Says Country Needs to Modernize or Change 1997 Constitution

Poland's president has stated that the country needs to modernize or change its constitution, which was adopted in 1997. Government officials have responded with warnings against opening a prolonged constitutional dispute. The president's call for constitutional reform comes amid ongoing political tensions in Poland, where debates over institutional changes have divided the political landscape. Such constitutional modifications would require broad political consensus and could spark significant controversy given Poland's recent history of disputes between different branches of government and political parties.

|
World

Hamas Elects Khaled Meshaal as New Leader, Gaza Leadership Remains Unchanged

Hamas has elected veteran leader Khaled Meshaal to head its political bureau, marking a return to leadership for the long-time figure in the Palestinian militant organization. The election represents Hamas's search for new leadership amid years of evolving conflict. However, the voting took place only in Gaza, and the leadership structure in the Palestinian territory remains otherwise unchanged. Meshaal previously served as Hamas's political leader from 1996 to 2017 before being succeeded by Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran earlier this year.

|
World

Slovak Media Examines US Electoral District Manipulation as Warning

A Slovak news outlet has published an analysis examining the practice of gerrymandering in the United States, presenting it as a cautionary tale for other democracies. The article explores how electoral districts are manipulated in America through questionable redistricting practices. The piece appears to use the American experience as a warning about potential threats to fair electoral representation, suggesting lessons that could be relevant for Slovak and European democratic processes.

|
World

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes Philippines' Samar Island, no serious damage reported

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Samar Island in the central Philippines, frightening residents across the region. The tremor damaged a police station but no casualties have been reported so far. While the earthquake was strong enough to cause alarm among the local population, authorities have not reported any serious structural damage or injuries from the seismic event.

|
World

Vote Counting Underway in Key Indian Elections Under Tight Security

India is counting votes in crucial elections under strict supervision by security forces, with particular attention focused on West Bengal state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India's ruling Hindu nationalist party, has the potential to break the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal for the first time. The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has governed the eastern Indian state since 2011 and has been a key opposition voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government at the national level. The election results in West Bengal are being closely watched as they could significantly alter the political landscape in one of India's most populous and politically influential states.

|
World

French leftist politician Mélenchon launches fourth presidential campaign

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, France's prominent left-wing politician, has announced his fourth bid for the French presidency. The veteran politician identified the far-right National Rally as his primary opponent in the upcoming race. During his campaign launch, Mélenchon called for joint action with Spain against what he characterized as a war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran. Mélenchon has previously run for president three times, establishing himself as a leading figure on France's political left and regularly challenging both centrist and far-right candidates in national elections.

|
World

Iran Analyzes US Response to 14-Point Middle East Peace Plan as Pakistan Mediates

Iran is analyzing the United States' response to its 14-point peace plan for the Middle East, according to reports from Tehran. The Iranian proposal notably sidesteps the country's nuclear program while focusing on broader regional stability issues. Pakistan has entered the diplomatic process as a mediator between the two nations, potentially providing a new channel for dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The development represents a significant shift in Middle East diplomacy, as Iran seeks to position itself as a peace broker in the region while avoiding direct confrontation over its controversial nuclear activities.

|
World

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized in critical condition. Just on Friday, Giuliani hosted his online program America's Mayor Live, during which he mentioned at the beginning that he was having some voice problems. The 80-year-old former mayor, who served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer and played a prominent role in challenging the 2020 U.S. election results, had appeared to be continuing his regular media activities before his hospitalization.

|
World

US to Deploy Destroyers and 15,000 Troops to Strait of Hormuz Operation

The United States will deploy naval destroyers and 15,000 military personnel to operations in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The operation will be led by the State Department and US Central Command (CENTCOM) as part of the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), a new international initiative under American leadership. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, with approximately one-fifth of the world's petroleum passing through the narrow waterway, making its security crucial for international energy markets and trade.

|
World

400 years ago, Minuit purchased Manhattan island for 60 guilders

Four centuries ago, Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan island for 60 guilders, leading to the establishment of New Amsterdam on the eastern coast of what is now North America. The Dutch settlement later became New York after the British took control of the territory. The historic transaction, which took place in 1624, marked the beginning of European colonization of Manhattan island and laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of the world's major metropolitan centers.

|