SUMMARY - Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 9 p.m.

Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - The current gas situation and the change in Ukraine's stance are the result of the manner, in which the Slovak government conducts its foreign policy and its deteriorating ties with the EU and Ukraine, opposition KDH declared on Thursday. Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Coalition MP Roman Malatinec (Voice-SD) intends to draw up a bill to enable free-of-charge visits to cultural institutions to selected groups at special times and introduce a compensation mechanism for those institutions that will embrace the system. https://etasr.sk/article/21618822 Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) convened a session of the coalition council on Thursday to decide on the next course of action regarding the gas transit via Ukraine to Slovakia, the Government's Office press department stated on the same day, adding that the Prime Minister will announce the decision in due time. https://etasr.sk/article/21618809 Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Electronic prescriptions for all types of drugs will be restored as of Friday (January 10) at the very latest, the Health Ministry press department announced on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/21618624 Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Leaders of parliamentary opposition parties Michal Simecka (PS), Milan Majersky (KDH) and Branislav Groehling (SaS) asked President Peter Pellegrini in an open letter for a meeting to discuss the future foreign affairs orientation of Slovakia, over their growing concerns raised by the incumbent government's actions and statements abroad, TASR learnt from PS press department head Alena Kuisova on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/21618558 Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Lawmakers of the opposition's SaS party criticise statements made by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) at his talks with representatives of the European Commission on Thursday in Brussels regarding the termination of Russian gas supplies through Ukrainian territory, pointing out that the government had ample time to secure alternative transit routes and if reciprocal measures against Ukraine were to be taken, the pain would be felt by Slovakia alone. https://etasr.sk/article/21618281 Bratislava, January 9 (TASR) - Retail revenues rose by 5 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) in November 2024, the Statistics Office reported on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/21618223 Bratislava, January 6 (TASR) - Slovakia posted a positive trade-balance in November 2024 with a surplus amounting to €327.9 million, according to preliminary figures released by the Statistics Office on Thursday. https://etasr.sk/article/21618081 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. If you have any questions, please contact obchod@tasr.sk. mf