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This summary is provided by the STA:
Defence investment plan passes first reading
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed at first reading a bill that would provide EUR 780 million for investment in the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) between 2021 in 2026, the bulk for the acquisition of armoured personnel vehicles to set up a battalion battlegroup, plus an aircraft and two helicopters. The plan was endorsed by the coalition and the opposition National Party (SNS), whereas other opposition either abstained or voted against. The final tally was 49 votes in favour and 16 against.
MPs send Sunday shop closure bill into third reading
LJUBLJANA - MPs sent a bill to close shops on Sundays and bank holidays into third reading. The legislation was filed by the opposition Left in collaboration with the Trade Union of Shop Assistants after the government closed shops on Sundays as part of anti-corona measures in mid-March. The bill, which provides some exemptions for smaller shops, enjoys the support of leftist opposition parties and the coalition New Slovenia (NSi), whereas the government is not in favour. It is expected that the provisions may change significantly during the final reading.
Committee calls for sufficient funding of RTV Slovenija and STA
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Culture Committee decided at Thursday's marathon session that the media legislation changes planned by the government should guarantee that public broadcaster RTV Slovenija and the STA receive sufficient funding and are autonomous public institutions of national and cultural significance. The call was made as journalists staged a rally against the planned changes, under which a substantial chunk of RTV Slovenija funding would be divided between other media, and STA supervisors would be appointed by the government and no longer by the parliament. The less than week-long public consultation period for the changes was extended until 5 September.
19 new coronavirus cases confirmed in 1,032 tests on Wednesday
LJUBLJANA - In what upholds a relatively flat curve of new cases, 19 Sars-CoV-2 infections were confirmed in Slovenia in 1,032 tests conducted on Wednesday. The number of people in hospital rose by two to 18, with one patient in intensive care, show government data released on Thursday. No new deaths due to Covid-1' were reported, meaning the death toll remains 111, while the total number of confirmed infections rose to 1,897. Four new infections were confirmed today in Hrastnik, which has become a hotspot, having a total of 23 active infections, among them five elderly care home residents and five staff.
Four hospitals to receive Covid-19 patients from nursing homes
LJUBLJANA - Four hospitals will receive coronavirus patients from nursing homes in order to make it easier for nursing homes to organise, the Health Ministry announced, in what marks a change from how such patients were treated during the first wave of the epidemic. A total of 50 beds will be available at special nursing departments at both university medical centres in Ljubljana and Maribor and the general hospitals in Novo Mesto and Nova Gorica, Health Ministry State Secretary Jerneja Farkaš Lainščak announced. The hospitals will receive nursing home residents with confirmed infections who do not have symptoms that would require hospital treatment.
Survey shows only 27% willing to use contact tracing app
LJUBLJANA - Only about a quarter of Slovenians are willing to use a contact tracing mobile app designed to stop the spread of coronavirus, suggests a survey conducted on a sample of 566 persons between 10 and 13 July. For the app to achieve its goal, it would have to be used by at least 50% to 60% of the population. However, only 10% of respondents told pollster Valicon that they would definitely install it to their devices, while 17% said they would likely do so.
Art Stays festival brings contemporary art to Ptuj
PTUJ - Art Stays, a contemporary art festival, got under way in Ptuj bringing acclaimed contemporary art production to Slovenia's oldest city. It will showcase works by more than 60 Slovenian and foreign artists. The 18th festival is held under the slogan No More Silence and is a continuation of past editions entitled Future, Fragile and NaturAL(L).
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