MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Thursday, 25 December 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Wednesday, 24 December): BRATISLAVA - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee) visited the Bratislava Public City Transport Company (DPB) on Wednesday morning, the Government Office's press department has informed TASR. Both of them praised the work and commitment of DPB employees during the Christmas holidays. The premier wished them, as well as all citizens of Slovakia, a happy and merry Christmas. "Together with Transport Minister Jozef Raz, we visited employees of the Bratislava Public City Transport Company in the morning, while it was still dark. Working in public city transport means not knowing holidays, Fridays or nights. By this visit, we wanted to express our respect to all employees in Slovakia who have to work even on such a precious time as Christmas," the premier has posted on a social network. BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini and Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) paid a Christmas visit to the Children's Hematology and Cancer Treatment Clinic at the Comenius University's Medical Faculty and the National Institute of Children's Diseases (NUDCH) in Bratislava on Tuesday (23 December). On the occasion, the president thanked the medical staff and all those for whom helping others, including the sick, even during the holidays is a mission. "Not everyone is so lucky that they can sit down at the Christmas Eve table with their families. I personally paid the so-called Christmas visit to the cancer treatment department for the third time. Children with the most serious diagnoses are treated here, spending here not days, not weeks, but many of them several months or even years," said Pellegrini. SOBRANCE - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) visited police officers and firefighters serving in Velke Kapusany, Michalovce and Sobrance (all in Kosice region) on Christmas Eve. As he told a news conference held in the premises of the Border and Alien Police Directorate in Sobrance, it's the police officers, firefighters and rescue workers who must be on alert and available 24/7 so that all of Slovakia can spend the Christmas holidays in peace. "I view it very important to thank our rescue forces for their year-round work, efforts, determination and commitment. Unfortunately, tragedy spares no one, and we witnessed that three young people lost their lives when a roof collapsed in Velke Kapusany yesterday (23 December). I was also in Velke Kapusany and I would like to express my sincere condolences to all the bereaved and the families of the victims once again. Let's hope that such tragedies will be avoided by everyone, especially during these holidays," said Sutaj Estok. TRNAVA/MIEROVO - Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) on Christmas Eve visited soldiers in Mierovo in the district of Dunajska Streda (Trnava region) who monitor Slovakia's airspace. In a video he's posted on social network, the minister thanked the air force members for their service. "It's necessary to protect our skies despite the fact that it is Christmas. That's why I wanted to thank you for this service and wish a peaceful service to all members of the Slovak Army who are at work now, as well as to all other security forces, police officers and members of the Prison and Judicial Guard Corps," he said. ko