MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 28 July 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 27 July): BANSKA BYSTRICA - The structural shell of the new Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica will be completed by the end of July in line with the original schedule, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) confirmed during a visit to the construction site on Monday. Part of the new hospital is expected to open to patients at the beginning of 2028, with the entire facility due to be completed in 2029. Fico estimated the total cost of the project at between €550 million and €600 million, with more than half of the funding coming from Slovakia's Recovery and Resilience Plan. During the visit, the prime minister thanked the hospital's management and representatives of the Health Ministry, describing the construction of the new hospital in Banska Bystrica as a "fantastic success". He pointed that work began in May 2024 and said the structural shell is be completed by the end of the current month as planned. The project will then continue with the building envelope, interior works and the gradual installation of technology. "The plan is for the first part of this hospital to open at the beginning of 2028, followed by the remaining section in January 2029," Fico said. The hospital will have 771 beds built to the highest standards, with every room featuring its own bathroom. In addition, it will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including 20 operating theatres, many of them robotic, according to Fico. "Considering the way materials will be transported and the overall logistics of the hospital, we can speak of a facility comparable with any leading hospital in Europe and the world," the prime minister emphasized. BRATISLAVA - The Slovak Constitution doesn't allow for the recognition of same-sex marriages in Slovakia or their registration in the civil registry, as it defines marriage as the unique union of a man and a woman, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has posted on social media. "Same-sex marriages cannot be entered into the Slovak civil registry, even if they have been concluded in a country where this type of marriage is legally permitted. Applicants seeking such registration should be informed in this spirit soon," said Fico. Prosecutor-General (PG) Maros Zilinka on 21 July issued two prosecutor's warnings to the Interior Ministry due to its inaction regarding applications from a same-sex couple seeking to register their marriage concluded in Austria with the Special Registry Office, as the ministry failed to process their applications within the deadline set by law. According to Zilinka, the Interior Ministry, as the relevant administrative authority, is required to decide on applications without undue delay and to notify the applicants whether registration with the Special Registry Office has been carried out or rejected. BRATISLAVA - Police officers Pavol D., Robert M. and Branislav D. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons], centered around Jan Curilla, have had charges against them expanded in the Cooperating Defendant case to include an additional offence, their lawyer, Peter Kubina, announced on social media on Monday. Former police officer Jan K., who has already been convicted in a separate case, has also been charged. Kubina said the new allegation concerns the escort of a cooperating defendant in the Takacovci criminal case from custody, during which investigators allegedly carried out an operational verification of information relating to an arson attack on a building in Most pri Bratislave. "Investigator Kamas claims that during this verification, officers of the National Crime Agency instructed the defendant on how to testify and which building he should identify as the one he had set on fire," Kubina said. MICHALOVCE - A storm accompanied by large hail caused damage in several villages in the Kosice region on Monday afternoon, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency in the villages of Palin, Zemplinska Siroka and Senne. In Senne, officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage. Mayor Marcel Nemcik said around 60 family houses have been affected, with most sustaining roof damage across the village. The storm also damaged vehicles, smashing windows and causing other destruction. Palin also reported extensive damage. Mayor Tibor Tomko said virtually the entire village has been hit. Hail has damaged roofs, greenhouses, polycarbonate shelters and vehicle windows, while strong winds also uprooted trees. Tomko compared the hailstones to ping-pong balls in size. The municipality is now coordinating the response and dealing with the storm's aftermath. In Zemplinska Siroka, the hailstorm has mainly damaged asbestos cement roofs. Mayor Miroslav Cicak estimated that around 40 of the village's more than 300 family houses have been damaged, according to a preliminary assessment. The storm, accompanied by hail and strong winds, swept through Michalovce and the surrounding area on Monday afternoon. Firefighters responded to incidents involving fallen trees and branches, as well as damaged roofs. Residents of the three villages shared photographs of large hailstones, damaged homes and vehicles on social media. BEIJING - President Peter Pellegrini on Monday arrived for a three-day official visit to China, which is taking place at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Slovak head of state was welcomed at the airport by Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Jie-li, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. "A meeting between the Slovak and Chinese presidents will be the key point on the agenda of the president's visit. The two presidents will discuss the further development of Slovak-Chinese relations, opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, as well as current international issues of mutual interest," said the Slovak President's Office. During his visit, Pellegrini is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. The programme will include visits to major centres of technological innovation as well. am