MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 1 November 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 31 October): BRATISLAVA - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has welcomed a humanitarian initiative aimed at evacuating civilians from the city of Oleshky in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department has informed TASR. The operation is being carried out under the temporary local ceasefire in the area occupied by Russian forces. "Slovakia has long been promoting and calling for a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine. Since the very beginning, we've been supporting dialogue and every peace initiative that could help bring an end to the fighting and establish lasting peace. We therefore also appreciate this effort by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, in which Pope Leo XIV was also involved," said Blanar. The foreign affairs minister stressed that protecting civilians, saving human lives and providing humanitarian aid must remain a priority. He also reiterated Slovakia's long-standing support for the civilian population of Ukraine. BENGALURU/BRATISLAVA – A Lufthansa crew member and another foreign guest have died at a luxury hotel in India, Indian media reported on Saturday, suggesting that one of the victims was a Slovak national. According to the Indian Express, two foreign nationals – one German and one Slovak – died in a hotel swimming pool in the city of Bengaluru on Friday (30 October) evening. According to the media reports, the two men may have suffered electric shocks while swimming in the hotel's third-floor pool. Police investigations into the exact cause of the accident were reported to be ongoing. According to the Indian newspaper, the Slovak national worked as a project manager for IBM. Police said he checked into the hotel approximately ten days before the fatal accident. BRATISLAVA - The Fitch Ratings agency has affirmed Slovakia's Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'A-‌', with a stable outlook, the Finance Ministry has informed TASR. Rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) affirmed Slovakia's credit rating at 'A' with a stable outlook a week ago (23 October). Slovakia's new credit rating by Moody's is expected to be released by the end of the year as well. In its latest rating in June, the agency affirmed Slovakia's 'A3' credit rating with a stable outlook. Fitch sees Slovakia's key strengths in the eurozone membership, a credible macroeconomic framework, steady EU inflows and a developed export sector. It also positively views the resilience of the labour market and its contribution to domestic consumption. "Stable labour market conditions support household consumption," stated the agency. BRATISLAVA - The presidential summit of the Visegrad Group (V4 -Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland), due to take place in Trencin on 4 and 5 November, should provide fresh momentum to cooperation between the four Central European countries and strengthen their collective voice in Europe, the President Office's communications department has informed TASR. The summit will be hosted by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, who will welcome Czech President Petr Pavel, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Hungarian President Andras Baka. The meeting will be held in an expanded format, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attending. She will be taking part in a V4 presidential summit for the first time. The upcoming summit will focus on areas of common interest and ways in which the V4 countries can strengthen their position and advance shared priorities at European level through closer cooperation. The participation of the EC president also provides an opportunity to discuss these priorities within a broader European context. ko