Latest News from Slovenia
Hospitals keep some coronavirus measures
Ljubljana – Most of Slovenia’s hospitals have kept some protective measures after the government lifted all the remaining restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus this week. Most of the hospitals still require face masks, while some hospitals are still quite strict about visits. At UKC Ljubljana, the country’s No.
No deaths, 327 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday
Ljubljana – Slovenia confirmed 327 cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, 17% fewer than the same day a week ago. No patient with confirmed infection died yesterday, according to the Health Ministry. Thirty-six patients were hospitalised for Covid-19 as their main condition this morning, including three in intensive care.
New govt won’t be able to afford grace period, PM Golob says
Ljubljana – PM Robert Golob said his ministerial team features experienced politicians and experts as the government must be operational right away. “We don’t want a government of newcomers that would need a 100-day grace period because we know we will not have it,” he said as he presented the 17 nominees to the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Opposition rebukes some ministerial nominees, parts of coalition agreement
Ljubljana – The opposition has presented a critical take on some ministerial candidates in parliament on Wednesday while expressing fears about measures it sees as reminiscent of the socialist era.
Presenting the Democrat (SDS) deputy group’s position, Anže Logar, the outgoing foreign minister, noted that Robert Golob wanted to form a government quickly.
Bridging digital divide to be Stojmenova Duh’s priority as minister
Ljubljana – Emilija Stojmenova Duh, the candidate for minister of digital transformation, has pledged to build on what has been done well in the field in the past. Her priorities would be to narrow the digital divide and pave the way for society’s effective digital transformation, she told the relevant parliamentary committee before getting its nod Saturday.
Slovenia’s favourite out of the French Open
Paris – Slovenia’s best tennis player, Tamara Zidanšek, is out of the competition at the French Open after being knocked out by Jessica Pegula of the US in the third round of the singles competition and then going on to be eliminated in the doubles as well.
Ajda Novak takes bronze at Canoe Slalom European Championships
Liptovsky Mikulas – Ajda Novak won Slovenia another medal at the Canoe Slalom European Championships in Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia, on Sunday by securing bronze in the women’s extreme canoe slalom, a new Olympic discipline.
The 28-year-old rounded off a perfect day for Slovenia after Benjamin Savšek won his forth European championship title in the men’s C-1 event.
Candidate for minister for Slovenians abroad gets green light in parliament
Ljubljana – The parliamentary Commission for Slovenians Abroad has endorsed the candidacy of Matej Arčon from the Freedom Movement for minister without portfolio for Slovenians abroad. Nine MPs voted for and two against his bid to head the office for Slovenian ethnic minorities in Slovenia’s neighbours and the diaspora around the globe.
No. of new coronavirus cases keeps dropping
Ljubljana – A total of 260 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Slovenia on Friday, almost 50% fewer than a week ago. The National Institute of Public Health estimates that there are now 4,974 active cases in the country, a daily drop of 297. Both the 7-day average of new cases and the 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 people dropped, to 298 and 235, respectively.
Musicologist Primož Kuret dies
Ljubljana – Musicologist Primož Kuret, a professor emeritus at the Academy of Music, has died aged 86, says a posting on the academy’s website. He was one of the most prominent Slovenian intellectuals whose research and expertise have significantly contributed to the reputation of the Slovenian Music Academy at home and abroad.
Mayor Jevšek’s bid for cohesion minister deemed OK
Ljubljana – Slovenia will have to use all EU funds available, grants and loans, to achieve balanced regional development, said Mayor Aleksander Jevšek before his candidacy for minister without portfolio for development and European cohesion policy was endorsed by two parliamentary working bodies on Saturday.
Paper happy sport coming to economy and tourism ministry
Koper – The incoming government has perhaps taken the right approach to sport by transferring it from the existing ministry of education, science and sport to the planned ministry of the economy, tourism and sport. “It should be clear in a year’s time whether this is a winning combination,” Primorske Novice says on Saturday.
As economy recovers, taxes on wages go up
Paris – As economies recover post-Covid, taxes on wages went up last year in two-thirds of countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), including Slovenia. In Slovenia, the tax rate on a monthly wage of an individual without children reached 43.6%, while the EU average is 34.6%. Slovenia thus ranked sixth among 38 countries, up two spots from the year before.
Medical Chamber honoured with Order of Merit
Ljubljana – The Medical Chamber marked its 30th anniversary, and the 130th anniversary of its precursor, the first medical organisation in Slovenia, with a ceremony in Ljubljana on Friday. President Borut Pahor presented it with the Order of Merit for efforts in bringing doctors and dentists together to uphold the integrity of medical profession.
Slovenia down three spots in tourism competitiveness ranking
Ljubljana – Slovenia is down three spots in the latest biannual global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, standing in 39th place among the 117 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country ranks best in socio-economic resilience and conditions, and in the importance of tourism and security.