Latest News from Slovenia
EU Parliament endorses Slovenian candidate for Court of Auditors
Strasbourg – The European Parliament has endorsed Jorg Kristijan Petrovič, Slovenia’s candidate for the European Court of Auditors. Wednesday’s non-binding vote was 487 in favour and 196 against with 11 abstentions.
More than 10,000 Covid cases logged for Wednesday
Ljubljana – A total of 10,288 new coronavirus cases were reported in Slovenia for Wednesday, a day after a record of more than 12,000 infections was confirmed, show fresh official data. Roughly three weeks into the Omicron-driven wave, hospitals are gradually starting to fill up.
Slovenian lynx population thriving
Ljubljana – The Slovenian lynx population appears to have come back from the brink of extinction and is now thriving thanks to animals that had been relocated from Romania and Slovakia to expand the heavily inbred population’s gene pool.
Pahor says Slovenia advocates one-China principle
Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor has said as he responded to PM Janez Janša’s statements about China and Taiwan that ever since Slovenia and China established diplomatic relations, Slovenia has consistently advocated a one-China principle, a principle the EU is also bound to.
Experts say epidemiologists should have main say on epidemics
Ljubljana – Prominent Slovenian health experts said at a round table on Wednesday that epidemiologists should have had a major say in the management of the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia, with some adding that there was an unclear line between the government’s advisory group and political interests.
Police arrest three suspects over prostitution
Maribor – Police have arrested a 53-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man from Slovenia, and a 56-year-old Serbian woman who are suspected of human trafficking after police received reports of them forcing women into prostitution, the Maribor Police Department said on Thursday.
Slovenia sending part of PCR samples to Germany
Ljubljana – Overwhelmed with PCR test samples, the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food (HLZOH) started sending part of them to Germany for analysis. The lab Eurofins processes them in 48 hours, which is in line with the new PCR testing protocol which kicked in yesterday.
Logar: EU integration of Western Balkans opportunity for Slovenian businesses
Ljubljana – The EU integration of Western Balkan countries is important for the bloc’s strategic position in the world. It is also an opportunity for Slovenian businesses, Foreign Minister Anže Logar said at an event the Institute of Strategic Solutions organised to discuss integration and economic ties with the Western Balkans.
National Council rejects higher language standard for bilingual schools
Ljubljana – The National Council vetoed on Wednesday amendments to the act on special rights for minorities in education which would set a higher Italian language standard for staff working in Slovenian-Italian bilingual kindergartens and schools.
China labels Janša’s statements on Taiwan as dangerous
Beijing – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China labelled on Wednesday Prime Minister Janez Janša’s statements about Taiwan as “dangerous”, and expressed strong opposition. The reaction comes after Janša said in Monday’s interview with an Indian TV station that Slovenia and Taiwan were discussing setting up mutual representation offices.
New absolute daily record in Slovenia as case count tops 12,000
Ljubljana – The number of new coronavirus cases spiked even further in Slovenia on Tuesday, exceeding all daily counts by far, with as many as 12,286 coronavirus infections recorded. 63.2% of PCR tests came back positive, according to the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). So far, the highest daily count of infections was confirmed on Monday, when 8,681 tested positive.
Handball coach out after Euro Champs fail
Ljubljana – Ljubomir Vranješ has been sacked as the head coach of the national handball team after Slovenia failed to make it past the preliminary round at the European Handball Championship.
The news was reported Wednesday by the National Handball Association, which said it was just as unsatisfied with the Swedish coach’s performance as Slovenian spectators were.
Slovenia requests UN Human Rights Council session on Ethiopia
Geneva – Slovenia, in its capacity as the presiding country of the Council of the EU, requested a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Ethiopia on Monday. More than 50 countries supported the call, Slovenia’s Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva announced on Twitter.
Wizz Air renews route linking Ljubljana and London Luton
Ljubljana – Low-budget airline Wizz Air has relaunched a direct air route between Ljubljana Airport and London Luton Airport after more than a year and a half of suspension due Covid-19. The carrier will operate three flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the two destinations.
Suits looming as Covid rules dampen mood at Christmas markets
Ljubljana/Koper/Maribor – The government ban on outdoor food and drink stalls has dampened down the festive mood at Christmas markets across Slovenia as inspectors clamped down on the vendors trying to get around the restrictions. Dismayed at what they see as unfair and unlawful rules, hospitality providers are now mounting class action to claim damages.