Number of coronavirus cases up nearly 30% week-on-week
LJUBLJANA - 632 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Slovenia on Saturday, a 29% weekly rise, as the epidemic's curve continues to rise, a trend recorded earlier this week, shows data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). Three Covid patients died. There are now 411 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, up 13 from yesterday. Of these, 123 need intensive care, up 4, government figures show. The number of active cases in the country is estimated at 12,258.
Slovenia to send sizeable delegation to Glasgow climate conference
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša will lead a seizable delegation to the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, to be held between 31 October and 12 November. Numbering more than 50 people, the delegation will include Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak, Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec and Slovenia's Ambassador to the UK Simona Leskovar. The costs of the participation are estimated at EUR 1.2 million, the bulk of which the government says is related to obligations resulting from Slovenia's role as the EU presiding country. It is mostly costs linked to the lease of space and equipment for the EU pavilion.
Diaspora minister completes visit in Argentina, travels on to Brazil
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch completed her visit to the Slovenian community in Argentina on Friday to visit Slovenians living in Brazil before completing her ten-day visit to Latin America in Sao Paulo on Sunday. Jaklitsch discussed Slovenian-Argentinian economic cooperation with members of the Slovenian-Argentinean Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires, met representatives of the office providing spiritual care to the community in Slovenian and laid a wreath at a memorial to the victims of communist violence. Challenges of Slovenian education were also discussed, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad said on Saturday.
Calls to reduce poverty made on poverty eradication day
LJUBLJANA - Slovenian NGOs and the human rights ombudsman called for measures to reduce poverty as the world observed International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina said in his message that "in a society of prosperity, poverty is not admissible". Slovenia's at-risk-of-poverty rate rose by 0.4 of a point to 12.4% last year, data from the Statistics Office shows. Minister in charge social affairs Janez Cigler Kralj meanwhile said that with the coronavirus relief measures, the government has helped people get by with various benefits, transfers, payment delays and write-offs. It has also drafted a bill to introduce a fairer system of social transfers and make the labour market more effective enabling people to find a job faster.
Long-term care, de-bureaucratisation bills coming to plenary session
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly will start the October plenary with a Q&A session with Prime Minister Janez Janša and his ministers on Monday. Until 26 October, the MPs will debate an omnibus bill on de-bureaucratisation, a long-awaited long-term care bill, and changes to gaming legislation, pharmacy legislation and to the law on police work and organisation.
Space now in Slovenian focus at Expo
DUBAI, UAE - After focusing on business in the weeks after the official opening of the Expo 2020, activities at the Slovenian pavilion will revolve around space and space technology in the second half of October. As of today, Slovenian companies will be featured under the Universe topic in the pavilion, while a delegation of space-tech companies will visit the Expo on Wednesday. On Saturday, Slovenia will be featured as part of the main EU event at the Expo. The pavilion will also start hosting presentations of Slovenian tourism regions.
