Latest News from Slovenia
Nearly 1,000 Covid cases confirmed on Wednesday
Ljubljana – Slovenia confirmed 996 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, up by almost 30% on the week before, as hospital numbers rose slightly following more than two weeks of rapid case growth. There were 29 patients with Covid as their primary condition in hospital this morning, up by two, plus 11 in intensive care, up by three.
Slovenia warns NATO not to ignore Western Balkans
Madrid – Prime Minister Robert Golob has warned NATO not to overlook the Western Balkans as it strengthens its presence on its eastern flank as part of a new deterrence and defence posture.
It is just as important “not to overlook our soft underbelly, the Balkans,” he said, noting that this is a region where Slovenia is present and for which it is trained.
Berlin first bilateral visit for new foreign minister (background)
Ljubljana – Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will visit Berlin on Friday to meet her counterpart Annalena Baerbock. Fajon’s first bilateral visit will focus on the crisis in Ukraine, as well as bilateral cooperation, the EU and the Western Balkans, the Foreign Ministry said ahead of the trip.
Govt approves NATO accession protocols for Sweden and Finland
Ljubljana – The government has approved motions for Slovenia to sign the NATO accession protocols of Sweden and Finland. A session of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee has been called for tomorrow morning to discuss the two motions.
Slovenia among most successful EU countries in newborn screening
Ljubljana – Slovenia is one of the leading European countries regarding newborn screening, experts said at a recent press conference ahead of today’s International Neonatal Screening Day, and stressed the importance of early detection of diseases.
Hrastnik hosting working class film festival
Hrastnik – Hrastnik, a working-class town in central Slovenia, is hosting what is the only Slovenian labour film festival later this week with 16 screenings and a diverse accompanying programme featuring local and foreign filmmakers and advocates for worker rights.
Covid cases surging, hospital numbers remain low
Ljubljana – Slovenia continues to record an increase in coronavirus cases due to the rapid spread of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of the virus, but for now the situation in hospitals remains stable and health authorities say the situation is not alarming. New cases his a two-month high of 1,222 on Monday, up by more than 44% from the week before, show Health Ministry data.
Documentary highlights 1991 war clash on Austrian border
Slovenj Gradec – A new documentary film on one of the bloodiest clashes of the 1991 ten-day independence war for Slovenia was screened in Slovenj Gradec on Monday. The film revisits the Holmec border crossing affair, in which Slovenian police and soldiers were accused and later cleared of shooting surrendering Yugoslav army personnel.
Men’s handball team gets wild card for World Championship
Ljubljana – After failing to qualify for the 2023 Men’s Handball World Championship, the Slovenian national team will get to play at the tournament hosted by Sweden and Poland after all, courtesy of a special invitation from the International Handball Federation (IHF).
Minister holds online talks with Slovenians in Germany, US
Ljubljana – Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon held online meetings on Tuesday with representatives of Slovenian associations in Germany and the US. He invited all of them to actively participate in the European Capital of Culture 2025 project and announced regular meetings on a monthly basis.
Marta Kos Freedom Movement’s candidate for president
Ljubljana – Marta Kos, vice-president of the Freedom Movement, has officially announced her bid for the presidency of the republic. She will run as her party’s candidate, while the other two coalition parties said following her announcement on Tuesday that they would likely run with candidates of their own.
Reporter says Golob proving opposition wrong with his acts
Ljubljana – Reporter writes in its latest editorial that Prime Minister Robert Golob is denying with his decisions and acts the false accusations from the opposition that Slovenia is turning towards Moscow under the new government and that he is a Tojan Horse of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Covid cases keep rising, but hospital figures low
Ljubljana – Slovenia is in the midst of a growing new wave of Covid with the latest statistics showing cases steadily rising, even as hospital figures continue to decline. A total of 461 cases were confirmed over the weekend, more than double the figure recorded last weekend. One person with Covid died, Health Ministry data show.
Psychoanalyst Krajnik enters presidential race
Ljubljana – Nina Krajnik, a philosopher and psychoanalyst, has announced she is entering the presidential race. She will run as an independent but will accept endorsement by like-minded political parties.
“I am making it official and public. I will run for president of the republic in the autumn election,” the 37-year-old told the press on Monday.
Slovenian author Marwan receives Austrian literary prize
Klagenfurt – Ana Marwan, a Slovenian author who lives and works in Austria, is the recipient of this year’s Ingeborg Bachmann Prize, a prestigious prize for works in German conferred by the city of Klagenfurt, Austrian broadcaster ORF reported.