MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 14 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 13 September): NOVE ZAMKY/BRATISLAVA – Two people died in the crash of a small aircraft in the Nove Zamky district (Nitra region), the Emergency Medical Services Operational Centre reported on social media on Saturday. Earlier in the day, a 155 emergency hotline operator dispatched a ground ambulance and a rescue helicopter to the village of Kamenny Most following a report of a small plane crash. „Unfortunately, the doctor had to pronounce two adult individuals dead," the operational centre stated. The regional police in Nitra also reported on social media that staff from the Aviation and Maritime Investigation Authority were on their way to the scene. „The exact circumstances and causes of the accident will be the subject of an investigation," police added. BRATISLAVA – The junior coalition party Voice–Social Democracy insists that the incomes of MPs and ministers, which are derived from MP salaries, must not increase in 2026, party leader and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok announced on social media, calling the stance a gesture of solidarity with the people. Sutaj Estok stated that any salary increase is unacceptable and will not be permitted. „It is unacceptable, and I will not allow the salaries of top politicians and state managers to rise next year. We are social democrats, after all, and we refuse to watch as politicians’ standard of living improves while ordinary people are forced to tighten their belts. Politicians must lead by clear example," said Sutaj Estok. The Voice-SD chair added that he has reiterated this demand several times to coalition partners. According to him, salaries should also be affected by increased taxes, arguing that this measure would cost the state nothing and would bring symbolic savings. „But this is primarily not about money. It is about a clear signal from politicians that they will not use tricks to increase their income at a time when large groups of people must temporarily make sacrifices for the greater good of Slovakia," the Voice-SD leader said. He considers the stance to also be a message that all members of the governing coalition are aware of the country’s current situation. BRATISLAVA – The Interior Ministry has purchased a delivery lorry with a hydraulic tail lift for nearly €80,000 including VAT, TASR learnt from the contract published in the Central Registry. The contract was awarded to Daimler Truck & Bus Slovakia, which is required to deliver the vehicle by mid-December. According to the contractual details, the lorry will have a manual transmission and an engine output of 175 horsepower. The order also includes staff training. BRATISLAVA - State-run passenger carrier ZSSK in cooperation with Ukrainian Railways on Friday (12 September) launched a direct train connection from Bratislava to Uzhhorod without the need to change trains, TASR was told by the ZSSK communications department. This was made possible by a new 22-kilometre section of track with the standard European gauge between the Chop and Uzhhorod stations in Ukraine. According to ZSSK, this is the first functional example of the gradual conversion of strategic sections of Ukrainian railways to European gauge, partly financed by the European Union. The Uzhhorod connection will allow direct trains to run between the EU and western Ukraine without the need to change trains in Chop. "Connections to Ukraine account for an important share of international traffic and have become popular with passengers. The extension of the link to Uzhhorod is a logical step after the launch of the new Chop-Uzhhorod line. This is a historic opportunity to bring Slovakia and the European Union closer to the residents of the Transcarpathian region," said ZSSK head Peter Helexa. mf