Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 23/06/2026 21:44 · 56 articles added
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Hungarian Opposition Party Tisza Announces Three Nominees for Parliamentary Vice-President Posts

The Hungarian opposition party Tisza has announced three candidates for deputy speaker positions in Hungary's parliament ahead of the National Assembly's constituting session scheduled for Saturday. The party, led by Péter Magyar, emerged as a significant opposition force in recent European Parliament elections and is positioning itself for key parliamentary roles as Hungary's new legislative term begins.

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Salzburg Railway Station Evacuated Due to Chemical Leak from Freight Train

Salzburg's main railway station was evacuated and closed to the public after a flammable chemical leaked from a freight train car. The incident has caused significant delays to train services in the Austrian city. Emergency crews responded to contain the hazardous material leak, with authorities restricting public access to the station as a safety precaution while they address the chemical spill.

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Car plows into crowd in Leipzig, Germany, killing two people

A car struck a crowd of people in the German city of Leipzig, killing at least two people and injuring several others. Police arrested the driver following the incident. Witnesses reported seeing covered bodies at the scene, though authorities have not yet released details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or the driver's motives.

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Iranian Drone Attack Sparks Fire at Oil Facility in UAE

An Iranian drone attack has triggered a fire at an oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, prompting authorities to activate warning sirens for the first time since a ceasefire was established. The incident has heightened concerns about a broader crisis in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which much of the world's oil passes. The attack represents a significant escalation in regional tensions and threatens the fragile stability that had been maintained in the area.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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