MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 2 November 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 1 November): BRATISLAVA - All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are different from other days - we have time to slow down, to step off the train of our everyday duties for a moment, and to remember our loved ones in a deeper way than simply giving them a fleeting thought, President Peter Pellegrini posted on social media on the occasion of Sunday's All Saints' Day. "To visit their final resting place, light a candle, show through a kind gesture or a heartfelt thought that we haven't forgotten them and that they have left an indelible mark on our lives," stated the president. The president wishes the people to spend these festive days in quiet reflection, to revive their most beautiful memories of the precious people in their lives, and to look at the world around them with different eyes than on an ordinary day. BRATISLAVA – Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), along with a group of ministers, will visit the Ukrainian city of Lvov on Thursday (5 November) in order to continue in joint Slovak-Ukrainian government consultations. Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) recently said that the two governments were preparing for their fourth joint session, which would provide an opportunity to openly discuss all issues that have arisen over the recent period. In a video he posted on social media, Fico also welcomed the decision by Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka to reinitiate the criminal investigation into the donation of MiG-29 fighter jets and air defence systems to Ukraine. The premier also commented on the latest ratings by Fitch and Standard & Poor's agencies. He pointed out that on Friday (30 October), Fitch affirmed the sound condition of the Slovak economy and public finances. He added that none of the government's opponents, who had also criticised the budget, have commented on the positive rating. "The budget hasn't harmed anyone. On the contrary, it has maintained a high standard of social welfare and gives the government the means to respond to crisis situations," stated Fico. BRATISLAVA - Following changes to legislation, targeted energy aid will cover 86 percent of households next year, down from some 90 percent receiving it this year, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, adding that the amount allocated for this purpose from the state budget will thus decrease from the current €430 million to an estimated €340 million. Sakova noted that people primarily perceive energy aid through 'energy vouchers'. However, these apply only to households supplied with heat via a central heating system, and only where the price of heat has increased. "Everyone else living in family houses and not using central heating receives energy aid through their bills, meaning they are protected from increases in electricity and gas prices," explained the minister. She attributed the reduction in the number of households eligible for energy aid to legislative changes, such as the inclusion of dividends in household income calculations and the limitation on the number of supply points for which a property owner can receive aid. Meanwhile, her opponent on the show, MP Marian Viskupic (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) stated that this is 'helicopter waste of money' and poorly handled task. SVIDNIK - Two people were killed in a collision between a bus and a car that took place on the Svidnik bypass (Presov region) on the R4 expressway on Sunday, the Fire and Rescue Corps' (HaZZ) Operations Centre in Presov told TASR on the same day. The Presov Regional Police Directorate announced on social media that the bypass has been closed. Emergency services are at the scene, while police officers are documenting the accident. Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre spokesperson Petra Klimesova told TASR that three ground ambulances and two rescue helicopters have been dispatched to the scene. "We will comment on the number of injured as soon as the situation allows," she added. The HaZZ Operations Centre in Presov said that firefighters from fire stations in Svidnik, Stropkov (Presov region) and Presov are responding at the scene as well. Police posted on social media that the 34-year-old bus driver was transported to a hospital. He underwent a breathalyser test, which yielded a negative result. "There were three people in the passenger car at the time of the accident – a 72-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman, who unfortunately succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the third person was airlifted to hospital," said the police, adding that a replacement bus has been arranged for passengers of the crashed bus. A post-trauma support team is also present at the scene, and a traffic accident expert has been called in. The police added that the cause and circumstances of the tragic accident are under investigation. jrg