Latest News from Slovenia
Slovenia expects to get 50,000 shots of vaccine in first round
Ljubljana – The Health Ministry has revealed some details about the Covid-19 vaccination plan for Slovenia, under which vaccination will be free of charge and available to all residents regardless of their heath insurance status. Vaccines for around 50,000 residents are expected to be available in the first phase.
Hungarian Media Expansion in Balkans Raises Worries but Lacks Impact
The Planet TV buyer, TV2 Média Csoport Zrt, was reportedly co-owned by Jozsef Vida, one of the wealthiest Hungarians, described as a member of the business circle around the ruling Hungarian party of Fidesz.
Govt adopts five-tier strategy for easing of restrictions
Ljubljana – The government adopted on Thursday a five-tier strategy for the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions based on a proposal by the Health Ministry and the coronavirus task force, Prime Minister Janez Janša announced on Twitter.
Gen-I to supply solely zero-carbon electricity as of new year
Ljubljana – Gen-I has announced that, as of 2021, it will be able to offer customers electricity produced solely from environmentally friendly and zero-carbon sources, in an effort with which the power producer intends to reduce the carbon footprint of Slovenian households by 1.65 million tonnes of CO2 compared to 2019.
Prešeren Prizes go to author Feri Lainšček, architect Marko Mušič
Ljubljana – Feri Lainšček, a writer and poet from Slovenia’s north-easternmost region, and Marko Mušič, an architect who has made a name for himself in Slovenia and throughout the former Yugoslavia, are the winners of the Prešeren Prizes for lifetime-achievement for 2021. The country’s top accolades for artistic accomplishments will be presented on 7 February.
Mass testing expected to start before end of 2020
Ljubljana – Health Minister Tomaž Gantar has announced Slovenia plans to launch mass testing before the end of the year. His ministry is purchasing half a million rapid antigen tests with another million to follow.
Chief coronavirus adviser urges caution in easing restrictive measures
Ljubljana – Infectious diseases specialist Bojana Beović, the head of the government’s coronavirus task force, responded to calls for an easing of coronavirus restrictions by saying extra caution was needed in planning any potential relaxation. The epidemic has been plateauing in Slovenia for weeks and could deteriorate at any time, she warned.
Gantar calls for more EU coordination on Covid-19 vaccine
Berlin/Ljubljana – Health Minister Tomaž Gantar attended a video conference with EU counterparts on Wednesday discussing the current state of the coronavirus pandemic and the proposed EU strategy for a coronavirus vaccine. He stressed more cooperation and coordination was need at the EU level.
New festival to continue the tradition of Slowind
Ljubljana – A new festival of contemporary classical music got under way in virtual format on Tuesday, continuing the 20-year tradition of the Slowind Festival. The New Music Forum, a project of the newly founded society Uho, will feature four concerts in December and two in April and aim to create a platform for outstanding Slovenian musicians.
Ajša Vodnik gets another term as vice chair of AmChams in Europe
Ljubljana – Ajša Vodnik, director general of AmCham Slovenija, has won another term as vice president of AmChams in Europe, a network of American Chambers of Commerce from 43 countries in Europe and Eurasia, AmCham Slovenia said. This means Slovenia will remain the seat of the organisation for another two years.
Three bids submitted for car e-tolling contract
Ljubljana – The state-run motorway company DARS has received three bids in response to a tender to set up a system for electronic tolling of cars, which is to become operational in December next year. The lowest bid was submitted by the Slovenian company Iskratel in partnership with Hungarian ARH Informatics.
Top science accolades go to researcher and professor emeritus
Ljubljana – This year’s Zois Prizes for lifetime achievement in science and research have been bestowed on researcher Tamara Lah Turnšek of the National Institute of Biology and University of Ljubljana professor emeritus Radovan Stanislav Pejovnik. The recipients were presented in a documentary showed on TV Slovenija last evening.
Contacts intensify in runup to summit
With the European Council just a little more than a week away, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias have embarked on a veritable diplomatic marathon with the aim of further building a solid framework of positions with regard to Turkey.
OECD improves Slovenia’s GDP forecast for 2020, outlook for 2021 worse
Paris – The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has slightly upgraded its forecast for Slovenia’s GDP in 2020, projecting that it will fall by 7.5% this year, while also downgrading the expected rebound in 2020, to 3.4%.
In the first half of June, the OECD said that Slovenia’s economy was expected to shrink by 7.8% this year, and then grow by 4.5% in 2021.
Minister Kustec urges joint EU crisis response in sports
Ljubljana – Minister of Education, Science and Sport Simona Kustec joined her EU counterparts in charge of sports as they supported the survival of the European model of sports, both popular and top competitive sports, in a virtual meeting on Tuesday. Kustec also called for a common approach to the organisation of sports events during the coronavirus pandemic.