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This summary is provided by the STA:
Mix of relaxed, tightened restrictions planned for Christmas
LJUBLJANA - A mix of relaxed and tightened restrictions is planned for Christmas under a roadmap unveiled by the government. Between 24 December and 4 January the complete closure of all services activities where there is direct contact with consumers is planned; if the epidemiological situation does not improve, the closure will be in effect until 10 January. The same applies to non-essential shops. At the same time, on 24 and 25 December up to six persons from a maximum of two households will be allowed to gather privately and people will be allowed to leave their municipality and region for visits. If the epidemiological situation improves or remains stable, the same regime would apply on 31 December and 1 January.
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New economic stimulus package adopted, focus on income support and aid to companies
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a new economic stimulus package that Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj said was worth around EUR 550 million. Measures include a one-off EUR 200 payment for those who receive up to twice the minimum wage, EUR 130-300 for pensioners, EUR 150 for students, EUR 50 per child for recipients of child allowance, and a basic income of EUR 700 for religious workers. For companies, special loans will be available from the state-owned SID Banka, while companies that suffered a revenue decline in excess of 70% will be eligible for aid of EUR 2,000 per employee in fixed costs. There are also special provisions helping transport companies, rent assistance, payment of rapid coronavirus tests, and waiver of VAT on medical equipment needed to fight the epidemic.
Meeting of Slovenian, Italian, Croatian FMs ends without signing of joint statement
TRIESTE, Italy - The Slovenian, Croatian and Italian foreign ministers were expected to sign a trilateral statement on the Adriatic Sea in advance of plans by Croatia and Italy to proclaim exclusive economic zones. Slovenia's Anže Logar said the statement had been harmonised but not signed. The statement, circulated by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, says that Italy, Croatia and Slovenia "share the vision of the Adriatic Sea as a bridge that unites all peoples in the region and as a source of wealth and prosperity for all." It states that Italy and Croatia would take the step "in full compliance with the principles of international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and EU law."
SMC does not support Erjavec
LJUBLJANA - The coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) does not support Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) leader Karl Erjavec as candidate for prime minister-designate. "The party is united in the position that we will not support Erjavec," SMC leader Zdravko Počivalšek told TV Slovenija Friday evening. A similar message was delivered by the SMC's Igor Zorčič, speaker of the National Assembly, in an interview for Siol.net. He said there were "too many unknowns and open issues about the project of a possible new coalition" and it would be "very risky for the country at this point, and irresponsible of the SMC, to contribute to even greater political instability."
Forty deaths, 1,427 new coronavirus cases confirmed
LJUBLJANA - The number of new coronavirus cases continues to decline gradually. Slovenia confirmed 1,427 newly infected on Friday, a week-on-week decrease of almost a fifth. With 5,600 tests performed, the positivity rate was 25.5%. Forty people died, the latest government data show. There were 1,199 people with Covid-19 in hospital yesterday, down by 13 on the day before and the lowest number since mid-November. There were 202 patients in intensive care, six fewer than the day before.
C-bank governor says economic policy measures suitable, effective
MARIBOR - Central bank governor Boštjan Vasle believes economic policy measures that Slovenia has taken have been suitable and effective. "A conceptual consensus on the need for rapid, expansive action was quickly achieved," he told Večer. Slovenia has borrowed heavily to finance stimulus and expects additional loans from the EU. Vasle stressed that it was very important how this money is spent. Countries that invest in fields promoting growth, development, the addressing of contemporary challenges will emerge from the crisis more successfully, he said.
Fitch affirms Slovenia rating
FRANKFURT - Rating agency Fitch affirmed Slovenia's long-term rating at A with a stable outlook. The agency said in a rating action issued on Friday that Slovenia's rating was "supported by high governance and human development indicators and a credible policy framework supported by EU membership." These are balanced against currently rising and high public debt relative to 'A' rated peers, the economy's small size, and slow progress in implementing structural reforms.
Slovenia's Lampič third in World Cup sprint race
DRESDEN, Germany - Fresh from being declared Slovenian female athlete of the year, cross-country runner Anamarija Lampič finished third in the World Cup sprint in Dresden, Germany. The top three finish came even though Lampič lost a pole soon after the start and was forced to run with one pole for a part of the race.
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