Below is a review of today’s news in Slovenia, summarised by the headlines in the daily newspapers for Friday, November 30, 2018, as prepared by the STA:
DELO
Gene editing
"Genetics minus gene = ethics": The Chinese scientist He Jiankul has announced an unprecedented achievement: he has created genetically modified kids, twin sisters whose genome has been edited to make them resistant to HIV. (front page, 20)
Suicide statistics
"Slovenia's suicide rate dropping": After 2000 the number of people globally who commit suicide declined by 29%, according to data by The Economist. This is precisely the rate of decline that Slovenia registered as well. (front page, 4)
Local elections
"To the mayoral office via sport": In the mayoral run-offs in Maribor, Koper and Kranj, the candidates' attitude to sports infrastructure could be a decisive factor. In Koper, for example, the mayor's love of sports is one of the things which has kept him in office for so long. (front page, 8)
DNEVNIK
Former headteacher on trial
"Former headteacher Merc has broad support": Experts are in agreement that Dušan Merc, the former headteacher of the Prule Primary School, acted correctly when he prevented two students suspected of sexual harassment from entering school, an act for which he is now standing trial. (front page, 2, 18)
Janković trial
"Janković denies any culpability in Gratel trial": Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković pleaded not guilty as he appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing in the Gratel case, in which he is charged with taking a bribe from a company to the benefit of the city. (front page, 11)
Local elections
"Popovič and Bržan neck-and-neck": Incumbent Mayor Boris Popovič and his challenger Aleš Bržan are neck-and-neck just days before the mayoral run-off, shows a survey commissioner by Dnevnik, with Bržan having a 0.2-point edge over Popovič. (front page, 9)
FINANCE
Minimum wage
"Everything you have to know about the minimum wage": The minimum wage will gradually increase to EUR 700 under a bill currently in parliament. For now, it remains unclear how the minimum wage will be calculated in January 2019. (front page, 2, 3)
Janković trial
"Janković on trial over 2007 donation. Who donates anything to Ljubljana these days?": Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković pleaded not guilty as he appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing in the Gratel case, in which he is charged with taking a bribe from a company to the benefit of the city. Such donations peaked in 2007, by 2017 they were almost gone. (front page, 4, 5)
Economic growth
"What is the impact of the global slowdown on Slovenia?": The Statistics Office will release GDP growth figures for Q3 today. Analysts believe growth will remain brisk, even though September was difficult for exporters. (front page, 4, 5)
VEČER
Local elections
"Drama until the end": In many of the 56 municipalities that will hold mayoral run-offs the situation is tense as the candidates battle, sometimes using dirty tactics, to eke out an advantage. (front page, 10-15)
New army chief
"Women in men's positions": Alenka Ermenc, the new chief of the general staff, is blazing a trail for women across the world. But a closer look at the statistics shows that they are far from posing a threat to male dominance. (front page, 5)
Call centre fraud trial
"They deny having them in bondage": The seven suspects on trial for operating underground call centres manned by trafficked Asians pleaded not guilty in court yesterday. (front page, 21)
Steel company strike
"Striking for higher wages": Workers in three subsidiaries of steel group SIJ staged a token strike yesterday. They demand higher wages as well as a new pay system and are willing to step up activities. (front page, 6)
