Below is a review of today’s news in Slovenia, summarised by the headlines in the daily newspapers for Thursday, January 10, 2019, as prepared by the STA:
DELO
Person of the year
"Thank you for supporting good medicine": Delo declared Ljubljana aesthetic surgeons Uroš Ahčan and Vojko Didanovič its persons of the year for their extraordinary achievements in reconstructive surgery and dedication to their profession. The ceremony was the starting shot for a year of celebrations, as the newspaper turns 60 this year. (front page, 6, 7)
DNEVNIK
Healthcare
"Gorenjska joins the payment wagon": Gorenjska has joined the growing number of regions which will charge for non-emergency treatment at the ER and in emergency care units of community health centres. Estimates show over half the patients visiting emergency care centres over the weekend are not urgent cases. (front page, 10)
Italy-Poland ties
"Italian minister Salvini wants to build new European axis": Italian Interior Minister Mateo Salvini indicated with his visit to Poland yesterday he wanted to expand the coalition of euroskeptical parties to Europe's east, stressing that Italy and Poland would be the main protagonists of a "new European spring". (front page, 6)
Pet store bankruptcy
"Will the pet stores close?": Vetpet, a company running 23 Zootic pet stores nationwide, has filed for bankruptcy after preventive restructuring failed. It is unclear what will happen to the over 100 employees and whether the stores will remain open. (front page, 5)
FINANCE
Loans for small companies
"EUR 12m for microloans": The Slovenian Enterprise Fund has issued a call for applications for microloans. EUR 12m is available in the first tranche, with the total through 2023 standing at EUR 42m. (front page, 2, 3)
New tourist tax
"How we will spend it and how you can make money off of it": A new tourist and promotional tax was introduced on 1 January. The bulk of the funding will be used for promotional purposes, and some of the promotional tasks will be contracted out to agencies. (front page, 8)
Oil prices
"Oil's revival in first days of new year": Oil prices grew by over a fifth in the first two weeks of 2019, which means prices at the pump are likely to rise next week. (front page, 10, 11)
Healthcare
"Stop for transactions with private practitioners?" The Celje General Hospital wanted to outsource MRI services to a private practitioner after its device broke down, but now the Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS) says public funds cannot be used for services rendered by doctors without a concession. (front page, 5)
VEČER
Flu season nearing peak
"Most flu shots for the elderly": Health authorities expect that flu season, already in full swing, will peak in late January and early February. The elderly are the age group most at risk, and they account for the bulk of individuals coming in to get last-minute flu shots. (front page, 2, 3)
Magna paint shop permit
"Magna facing a test yet again": Austro-Canadian car maker Magna's paint shop outside Maribor is at the cusp of getting all the requisite permits and test production was expected to be launched in January, but a local environmentalist had announced he will lodge a complaint against the environmental permit, which could delay the start of production. (front page, 5)
Koper prison break
"Harsh criticism of prison management": The Prison Administration has issued a scathing report after two inmates escaped from Koper Prison. The inquiry showed the management as well as the wardens neglected their duties, while wardens claim security systems are outdated and inadequate. (front page, 21)
