New cases of coronavirus up by 57% week-on-week
LJUBLJANA - The curve of coronavirus infections has turned sharply up in Slovenia, driven by the omicron variant and Christmas gatherings. A total of 1,829 new cases were reported for Thursday, an increase of 57% on the week before and the highest daily figure since early December. As Slovenia gears up for the coming surge of omicron cases, hospitals appear in relatively good shape. The overall number of patients was down by 21 to 553 this morning, less than half of the fourth-wave peak, with the number of ICU cases down by seven to 179, compared to almost 300 during the late-November peak. Six patients died.
Janša sees Slovenian EU presidency as success
LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša said he considered Slovenia's six-month stint at the helm of the EU a success. The project has been both a great challenge and tremendous opportunity, and a number of important steps have been achieved, he said. Above all, the presidency has been an opportunity for the country to show and prove to itself, as well as to others, that it has "the ideas, know-how and ambition to actively contribute to shaping Europe's present and future", he said, adding that there had been numerous and significant steps achieved.
Top EU officials congratulate Slovenia on presidency job
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel congratulated Slovenia on its EU presidency job. "You have done so much to move our European agenda forward, from coordination on COVID19 to important initiatives for our sustainable and digital transitions," von der Leyen said on Twitter. Michel congratulated the prime minister and the presidency team in Slovenian, thanking them for the excellent work and cooperation.
Golden Fox moves to Kranjska Gora for third year in a row
MARIBOR - Maribor will not host the Golden Fox event of the women's Alpine Ski World Cup circuit for the third year running due to a lack of snow amid mild weather. The two-day event featuring slalom and giant slalom races has again been moved west to Kranjska Gora. The organisers of the 58th Golden Fox told the press that the races would be held on 8 and 9 January on the Podkoren piste in Kranjska Gora, which annually host the men's Alpine Ski World Cup races as part of the Vitranc Cup.
Double podium for Slovenia in Ljubno
LJUBNO OB SAVINJI - Slovenian jumpers dominated the women's ski jumping World Cup event in Ljubno ob Savinji as Nika Križnar won the event ahead of Austria's Marita Kramer and Ema Klinec. Križnar was second after the first series but sealed the win with the day's longest jump, at 94.5 metres, in the final.
