SUMMARY - Wednesday, 22 July 2026 - 5 p.m.

Novaky, 22 July (TASR) - Power utility Slovenske elektrarne (SE) has commissioned the largest battery storage facility in Slovakia, company spokesperson Lenka Sarlakova told TASR on Wednesday, adding that the facility has been built on the site of the former Novaky coal-fired power station (Trencin region) and will help to stabilise the electricity grid as the share of renewable energy sources increases. https://etasr.sk/article/23530883 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - Following its discovery in Hungary, a new pest, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), has now been officially confirmed in Slovakia within the EU, Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the first 18 adult specimens of the pest were detected in the district of Trebisov in Kosice region and that the insect is now present at 22 sites in south-east Slovakia. https://etasr.sk/article/23530984 Vysoke Tatry, 22 July (TASR) - Presov self-governing region must repay part of the funding from EU funds and the state budget that it received for a road reconstruction project in the High Tatra mountains, according to a published repayment agreement in the Central Register of Contracts between the creditor, the Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry, and Presov region as the debtor. https://etasr.sk/article/23531124 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) has spent €567 million on non-military purposes since assuming office, which is scandalous, Tomas Valasek, an MP for the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, told a news conference on Wednesday. https://etasr.sk/article/23530738 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have called on the government to promptly and transparently inform the public and Parliament about cyber operations carried out by Russian hackers against Slovakia, Mario Marcinek from KDH's communications department has informed TASR. https://etasr.sk/article/23530631 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - The Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry has announced two new calls for proposals under the Social Affairs programme aimed at strengthening the protection of victims of violence, with funding totalling more than €10 million, Investment Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) announced at a press conference on Wednesday, alongside Norwegian Ambassador Susan Eckey. https://etasr.sk/article/23530684 High Tatras, 22 July (TASR) - The High Tatra mountains could add another international achievement to their collection, as British travel magazine Wanderlust has included them among the finalists in the 'The Most Desirable Region in Europe' category of the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2026, TASR has learnt from head of the Regional Tourism Organisation (OOCR) for the High Tatras Lucia Blaskova. https://etasr.sk/article/23530828 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini will travel for an official visit to China on Sunday (26 July) at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and current international issues, the President's Office's communications department told TASR on Wednesday. https://etasr.sk/article/23531030 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - Slovakia and Norway are keen to continue their close partnership, to develop regular political dialogue and to cooperate in the areas of security, the economy and the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism, said Foreign Ministry State Secretary Rastislav Chovanec, who on Tuesday (21 July) received Susan Eckey, Norway's Ambassador to Slovakia on the occasion of the conclusion of her diplomatic mission. https://etasr.sk/article/23530775 Bratislava, 22 July (TASR) - A carriage was derailed during the routine movement of a train operated by rail passenger carrier ZSSK in the vicinity of Bratislava-Nove Mesto railway station on Wednesday, ZSSK has told TASR, adding that the train was carrying no passengers and that no one was injured. https://etasr.sk/article/23530929 Notice: If you click on the link or copy it into the search window, the browser will display the full text of the message in the new e-TASR client zone. If you have any questions, please contact obchod@tasr.sk. am