SUMMARY - Thursday, 4 December 2025 - 9 p.m.

Vatican, 4 December (TASR-correspondent) - Pope Leo XIV told Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Vatican on Thursday that he'd like to visit Slovakia in the near future, Pellegrini himself told a press conference following his private audience with the Holy Father. https://etasr.sk/article/22722709 Rome, 4 December (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini visited the Sovereign Order of Malta on Thursday during his working trip to Rome, Italy, thanking the representatives of the Order for their work and assistance in Slovakia in the areas of education, health care, and social services, the President's Office told TASR on Thursday, adding that the head of state met with Grand Master Fra' John Dunlap, who plans to visit Slovakia next year. https://etasr.sk/article/22723177 Zilina/Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) - Three injured individuals have been transported to hospital in the wake of the leak of an unknown substance in Zilina, TASR learnt from spokesperson of the Firefighter and Rescuer Corps (HaZZ) Presidium Zuzana Gegusova on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/22722726 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) - Following this year's first issue of Bonds for the Public, Slovakia is planning another issue in spring 2026, the Finance Ministry stated on Thursday, adding that the project is currently being prepared by the ministry and the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL). https://etasr.sk/article/22722824 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) – Lawmakers from the coalition Voice-SD party want to align legislation on the office that will replace the Whistleblowers Protection Office (UOO) with the relevant EU directive, submitting an amending proposal. https://etasr.sk/article/22722832 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) – The amendment to the government's bill transforming the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) has not resolved existing problems and remains in conflict with the Slovak Constitution, European Union law, case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the commitments under the Recovery Plan, UOO stated in a response provided to TASR by its press department. https://etasr.sk/article/22723193 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) - The new Crime Victim and Whistleblowers Protection Office won't protect whistleblowers, said 'Slovakia' party leader Igor Matovic during the parliamentary debate on the government's proposal for transforming the Whistleblowers Protection Office (UOO) on Thursday, suggesting that the new institution should be named the Office for Protection of Perpetrators of Anti-social Conduct instead. https://etasr.sk/article/22722808 Vienna, 4 December (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) attended the 32nd meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Thursday, where he also held talks with Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Asein Isaev and Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili, reads the minister's statement for the media. https://etasr.sk/article/22722986 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) – The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (MIRRI) has reached a key milestone in the Digital Seniors project, with more than 50,000 seniors and persons with disabilities having already acquired digital skills, and the number continues to rise, said Investment Minister Samuel Migal (independent) on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/22723116 Vysoke Tatry, 4 December (TASR) - The agenda of the joint meeting of representatives of the agricultural chambers of the V4 (Visegrad Four) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) and Austria, which is taking place on Thursday and Friday (5 December) in the High Tatra mountains, is the future of the common agricultural policy after 2027, the Agriculture Ministry's communications department told TASR on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/22723096 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) - The planned completion date for the second stage of the Presov northern bypass on the R4 expressway, November 2027, remains unchanged for now, stated Transport Ministry State Secretary Igor Choma on Thursday, adding that the ministry is waiting to see whether the contractor will submit a proposal to change the construction schedule. https://etasr.sk/article/22722952 Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) will not propose that the government grant compensation to the bereaved families following the tragic fires in Maslickovo and Kozarovce. https://etasr.sk/article/22722889 Nitra, 4 December (TASR) - A protest march organised by the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party is taking place in Nitra on Thursday evening, with the site of the accident involving Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Pavol Gaspar in August as its destination. https://etasr.sk/article/22722848 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. 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