MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 16 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 15 September): SASTIN-STRAZE/BRATISLAVA – The Monday holy mass on the National Pilgrimage marking the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of Slovakia, was celebrated by Spis Bishop Frantisek Trstensky, TASR learnt on the same day. Trstensky called on society to unite and take inspiration from Mary, who encourages people to walk together. According to him, this is the path to making Slovakia strong. The mass in the basilica was attended by President Peter Pellegrini and other representatives of public and political life. The main theme of this year’s national pilgrimage is Our Lady of Sorrows – Pilgrim of Hope. Trstensky highlighted the key characteristics of Our Lady of Sorrows, which he said should shape society: she is an example for all and a model for the Church; she is open to God's guidance and remains a mother of hope, never falling into despair. SASTIN-STRAZE/BRATISLAVA – President Peter Pellegrini, speaking on the National Pilgrimage in Sastin-Straze on Monday, emphasised the need for national unity despite the deep divisions fracturing the Slovak society. Pellegrini underlined the importance of mutual respect and tolerance. „As a society, we should invest our energy in building bridges rather than erecting walls between one another,” Pellegrini said. The President highlighted the key message of the pilgrimage: the importance of truly listening to each other, understanding one another, and showing respect and tolerance even when holding differing opinions. „We must not forget our values and the roots upon which our society is built. At the same time, especially in these difficult times, we must strive to solve problems together,” he added. BRATISLAVA – The European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision in September to leave key interest rates unchanged reflects the shared view among its governors that inflation is currently developing in line with expectations and while not committing to any specific future moves, the ECB remains alert and will make decisions gradually based on current data and forecasts, Slovak Central Bank (NBS) Governor and member of the ECB Governing Council Peter Kazimir declared on Monday. „We remain in a comfortable position, which allows us to safeguard the necessary stability in an increasingly turbulent global environment. At a time when financial markets are a major source of potential shocks and the consequences of fiscal consolidation are mixed, our goal is to support a calm and predictable environment. We are convinced this is exactly what we are doing,” said Kazimir in a commentary on the ECB’s monetary policy decision made last week. According to Kazimir, the ECB has successfully brought interest rates into a comfortable, so-called neutral zone. „But that does not mean we will passively watch what happens in the world around us. Although we have made real progress in curbing inflation – especially as its more persistent components are also declining – vigilance remains more than appropriate,” he stressed. HUMENNE/BRATISLAVA – The National Anti-drugs Unit has broken up a drugs gang operating in eastern Slovakia, detaining three suspects, including a 30-year-old man who has previously been convicted on drugs-related charges, the police reported in a social media post on Monday. The man is currently being held in custody, while two women aged 26 will be investigated while at liberty. "Members of the National Anti-drugs Unit, in cooperation with criminal investigators from the District Police Directorate in Humenne and an emergency police unit from Presov, carried out an operation last week under the code name Kangaroo. The operation focused on drugs-related criminal activity in the Humenne area," reads a statement. ko