Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 28/06/2026 05:37 · 18 articles added
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Norwegian Parliament Launches Major Investigation Into Elite Ties to Epstein and Foreign Intelligence Service

Norway's parliament has established an independent commission to investigate the country's foreign intelligence service following years of elite contacts with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The parliamentary investigation will examine connections between Norwegian political and business leaders and Epstein, with former prime ministers among those whose activities will come under scrutiny. The commission represents a significant effort by Norwegian lawmakers to address concerns about potential compromising relationships between the country's elite circles and the disgraced financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The investigation reflects broader international concerns about Epstein's extensive network of high-profile contacts and the potential national security implications of such relationships for countries whose officials had dealings with him.

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Norwegian Parliament to Establish Commission to Investigate Epstein Connections

Norway's parliament will establish a commission to investigate connections between Norwegian officials and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The decision follows revelations about the involvement of members of Norway's elite in the scandal. The investigation will examine former Norwegian ambassador to Jordan and Iraq Mona Juul and her husband Terje Röd-Larsen, a former high-ranking diplomat. The commission represents Norway's formal response to emerging details linking prominent Norwegian figures to the disgraced financier's network.

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Jailed Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro's Condition Improves in Hospital

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's medical condition has improved following his hospitalization on Friday, though authorities have not announced plans for his return to prison. The 70-year-old Bolsonaro was transferred to a hospital from Papuda prison in Brazil, where he is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup. Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil's president from 2019 to 2022, was convicted for his role in trying to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

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Trump Signals Potential End to US Military Operations in Iraq But Warns Against Hasty Withdrawal

US President Donald Trump indicated that American military operations in Iraq may conclude soon, while cautioning against an overly rapid withdrawal from the region. Trump defended the ongoing military presence by citing security concerns and expressed frustration with NATO allies for their limited participation in the operations. The president's comments suggest a potential shift in US military strategy in Iraq, though he emphasized the importance of maintaining security considerations in any decision to reduce American forces in the country.

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Czech Students Face Criminal Investigation After Wearing KKK Costumes at School Party

Students from Rokycany, Czech Republic, are facing criminal investigation after wearing Ku Klux Klan costumes to a school party and winning a costume competition. Police have launched proceedings against the students for their choice of attire, which depicted the white supremacist organization known for its history of racial violence and terrorism. The incident has drawn law enforcement attention as authorities examine whether the students' actions constitute a criminal offense under Czech law, which prohibits the promotion of extremist ideologies.

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Cuba Faces Economic Collapse with Gas Rationing and Monthly Incomes of $14

Cuba is experiencing severe economic hardship as the supply of cheap oil has dried up, forcing the government to implement gasoline rationing. Citizens are struggling to survive on average monthly incomes of just $14, highlighting the depth of the island nation's economic crisis. The shortage of affordable petroleum has disrupted daily life and commerce, contributing to what observers describe as an economy on the brink of collapse.

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Commentary Criticizes Trump's Intelligence Briefing Habits

A Slovak commentary piece has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to intelligence briefings, suggesting he does not read reports from the CIA and other intelligence agencies. The piece, titled "Hormuz and Presidential Ignorance," appears to focus on Trump's handling of intelligence information, particularly in relation to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz region in the Persian Gulf.

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World

100,000 People Flee South Sudan Fighting to Ethiopia

Around 100,000 people have fled fighting in South Sudan and crossed into neighboring Ethiopia, seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict. Additional populations have relocated to safer areas within Jonglei State, one of South Sudan's regions, as violence continues to displace civilians across the country. The mass displacement represents the latest wave of population movements in South Sudan, which has been plagued by civil war and ethnic violence since gaining independence in 2011, forcing millions to abandon their homes and seek safety either in neighboring countries or in more secure parts of their own nation.

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Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's Health Condition Deteriorates

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has experienced a worsening of her medical condition, according to reports. The 51-year-old princess suffers from chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue and makes breathing increasingly difficult over time. Mette-Marit, who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, was first diagnosed with the condition in 2018 and has since reduced her public engagements due to the illness.

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Trump Postpones China Visit Due to Iran War Preparations

US President Donald Trump has postponed his first visit to China during his second term due to the war with Iran. The decision to delay the trip has deepened uncertainty in financial markets and diplomatic relations between the world's two largest economies. Beijing has remained silent about the revised timing for the visit, which was expected to be a key diplomatic engagement early in Trump's presidency. The postponement reflects the administration's focus on military operations in Iran, potentially affecting broader US-China relations and global economic stability.

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Netherlands Investigates Possible Iranian Connection to Attacks on Jewish Sites

Dutch authorities are examining potential links to Iran following a series of attacks on Jewish buildings and facilities in the Netherlands. The explosions caused only minimal damage to the targeted structures and resulted in no injuries. The investigation comes amid heightened tensions over attacks on Jewish sites across Europe, with authorities exploring whether the incidents were coordinated or supported by foreign actors.

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Life in Israeli City Most Frequently Hit by Air Raid Sirens During Current War

Residents of an Israeli city experiencing the most frequent air raid sirens during the ongoing conflict face daily disruptions to normal life. The constant threat of attacks has forced civilians to adapt to a routine of seeking shelter multiple times per day, fundamentally altering their daily activities and psychological well-being. The situation highlights the disconnect between political leadership's expectations that citizens will perform at their best under extreme stress, while the leadership itself fails to meet similar standards of excellence in managing the crisis.

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UN warns of mass displacement of Palestinians as Israeli settler violence surges in West Bank

The United Nations has issued a warning about a sharp increase in violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, cautioning that the escalating attacks could lead to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. UN officials expressed concern that the surge in settler activity poses risks of mass displacement of Palestinian communities. The organization indicated that such actions could constitute war crimes under international law. The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories, where settler violence has been a persistent source of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

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Former Belgian Diplomat to Face Trial in Murder Case of Congolese Leader Lumumba

A former Belgian diplomat will stand trial in connection with the murder of Congolese politician Patrice Lumumba. The defendant, identified as Davignon, served as a diplomatic intern at the Belgian embassy in what is now Kinshasa at the time of Lumumba's death. Lumumba was the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo following its independence from Belgium in 1960, and was assassinated in 1961 amid the country's political turmoil and continuing Belgian influence in the region.

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Electricity Supply Gradually Restored in Cuba Following Blackout

Cuba is gradually restoring electricity supply across the country following a major power outage. The Caribbean island nation continues to face significant energy challenges amid an ongoing oil embargo imposed by the United States. The blackout affected large portions of the country's electrical grid, though authorities are working to bring power back online systematically. Cuba's energy infrastructure has struggled in recent years due to limited access to fuel and equipment needed for power generation, complications that stem largely from decades-long U.S. economic sanctions that restrict oil imports and other critical resources.

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German farmers seek lower minimum wage for seasonal workers

German farmers are pushing for reduced minimum wage rates for seasonal workers, as the country's statutory minimum wage increased from 12.82 euros to 13.90 euros per hour at the beginning of this year. The wage increase represents a significant jump of over one euro per hour, raising labor costs for agricultural employers who rely heavily on seasonal workers during planting and harvest periods. Germany's minimum wage affects hundreds of thousands of seasonal agricultural workers, many of whom come from Eastern European countries to work on German farms during peak agricultural seasons.

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Head of US National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent Resigns Over Iran Attack Disagreement

Joe Kent, director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his position due to disagreement with a U.S. attack on Iran. Kent argued that Tehran did not pose a threat to the United States, leading to his departure from the counterterrorism agency. The outgoing director also called on the White House to take "bold steps," though the specific nature of these recommended actions was not detailed. The National Counterterrorism Center serves as the primary U.S. government organization for analyzing and integrating intelligence related to terrorism threats.

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Commerzbank CEO Rejects UniCredit Takeover Approach

The chief executive of German bank Commerzbank rejected a takeover approach from Italian banking giant UniCredit, stating that the offer came without any prior warning or contact. CEO Bettina Orlopp made the remarks Tuesday at a conference organized by U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley. UniCredit, one of Europe's largest banks, has been pursuing expansion opportunities across the continent as the banking sector faces pressure to consolidate amid low interest rates and increased competition.

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Russian Father and Daughter Released from Prison in Emotional Journey to Freedom

A Russian father and his daughter named Masha have been released from prison and completed what is described as an arduous journey to freedom. The story, written by journalist Petra Procházková, documents their difficult path from imprisonment to liberty, with the daughter expressing deep admiration for her father's courage throughout their ordeal. The circumstances of their imprisonment and the specific details of their release have not been disclosed, but their story represents another case of individuals escaping the Russian penal system during a period of heightened political repression.

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Cuba's Power Grid Collapses as Trump Threatens Military Occupation

Cuba's electrical grid suffered a complete collapse on Monday, leaving the island nation without power. The infrastructure failure comes as former US President Donald Trump has made statements suggesting he would consider military occupation of Cuba, declaring it would be an "honor" to occupy the Caribbean nation. The power grid collapse represents another major challenge for Cuba's struggling infrastructure, which has faced repeated failures in recent years due to aging equipment and fuel shortages.

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