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This summary is provided by the STA:
US welcomes Slovenia's Security Council bid
WASHINGTON, US - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed Slovenia's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2024-2025 during talks with Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar in Washington on Monday. The US sees Slovenia as an appropriate candidate. If elected, the country will be "a credible voice contributing to the preservation of international peace and security", Blinken said as quoted by the US Department of State.
Hojs survives vote of no-confidence
LJUBLJANA - The centre-left opposition failed to oust Interior Minister Aleš Hojs as only 44 MPs voted in favour, two short of the required majority, whereas 37 were against. The vote came after a 16-hour debate in parliament, during which the opposition reiterated its accusations against Hojs, including the excessive use of force by the police during protests in Ljubljana and politicisation of the force. Hojs dismissed all the accusations, saying he had actually provided police officers with better working conditions.
Family of Ljubljana mayor under investigation
LJUBLJANA - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted eleven house searches in Ljubljana area targetting five persons over suspected money laundering and abuse of office, police said. Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković said the searches were targetting members of his family, including his wife and both sons, but not him or the municipality. Five persons are suspected of money laundering, of whom two also of abuse or office in business activity, with illegal gains estimated at a million euro.
Epidemiological curve keeps falling, but Omicron spreading
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 1,555 coronavirus cases for Monday, a 9% fall from the same day a week ago as the total of estimated active cases dropped below 18,000 and hospitalisations kept falling. Five more Covid-19 patients died. Meanwhile, Omicron variant cases have been confirmed in all Slovenian regions but one, Goriška, the country's chief epidemiologist Mario Fafangel told the press, noting local transmission of Omicron. Epidemiologists propose a revised mandatory quarantine regime.
Report: Lawsuit filed against protest organiser to collect policing costs
LJUBLJANA - The State Attorney's Office has filed a lawsuit to collect the costs the police incurred as a result of policing unregistered anti-government protests from a protest organiser. While the Office has not revealed against whom the suit has been filed or how much money is being claimed, media reported that the most likely target was Jaša Jenull, one of the most prominent organisers of Friday's anti-government protests, which have been held since the Janez Janša government assumed office.
Speaker Zorčič forming new liberal party
LJUBLJANA - Speaker Igor Zorčič is in the process of forming a new party called the Liberal Democrats (LIDE) and is collecting the signatures formally needed to register a political party. The name makes it clear to liberal democratic voters who represents their interests, Zorčič said. Zorčič would not say who the president would be, nor whether the party will form alliances with other parties. "Let's wait for the party to be formed first," he said.
Damjan Kukovec becomes judge at EU General Court
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Slovenia's Damjan Kukovec joined the EU General Court in Luxembourg as six judges had their terms extended and three, including Kukovec, were newly appointed. Kukovec, whose term ends on 31 August 2025, thus filled the second of Slovenia's two posts at the court alongside Maja Brkan, who started her term in July.
Minister indicates exports ban possible way to curb power prices
LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said the government could intervene in the electricity market by banning exports and administering prices as a way to tackle the high price of energy. "Slovenia produces 85% of the electricity it needs. But the fact is that we export half of what we produce. The state can intervene here - ban the export of our electricity and set the price. We will do that if needed," he told the OZS chamber of small business.
Govt proposes increasing payments into N-plant decommissioning fund
LJUBLJANA - The government has proposed for the payments into the fund for the decommissioning of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) and rad waste disposal to be increased from 4.80 to 12 euro per megawatt hour of power. The payments are made by Gen Energija, the state-owned company that holds Slovenia's stake in NEK, located in Krško on the border with Croatia. Slovenia and Croatia each hold 50% of the plant.
Pahor thanks troops abroad for keeping peace and security
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor addressed Slovenian troops serving abroad in the annual pre-Christmas videoconference, thanking them for their contribution to Slovenia's international reputation and to maintaining peace and security worldwide. He was briefed on the state on the ground by representatives of SAF rotations from Latvia, Mali, Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. They reported the situation in the areas of deployment was mostly peaceful.
Some retailers withdraw Košaki meat products
LJUBLJANA - Following a recent report about animal mistreatment at the Košaki TMI abattoir in Maribor, some retailers have temporarily withdrawn the company's products from their shelves. Spar Slovenija said it intends to closely monitor further developments and decide on cooperation with Košaki after national inspectors have completed their inspection. Hofersuspended cooperation until Košaki proves to meet all the conditions of Hofer's policy on animal welfare. Tuš will temporarily withdraw Košaki products as well.
Locals oppose planned wind farm in Kras
SEŽANA - Plans to build up to 30 wind turbines next to a sole one already standing on a plateau that is part of the iconic Kras region in south-western Slovenia have met with opposition from the locals with both municipalities involved set to veto the project. "The municipality has not given its opinion yet, but it will certainly follow the will of the people living in the area," Sežana Mayor David Škabar told the STA on Monday as the plans for a wind farm on Griško Polje were presented to the locals.
Initiative launched to lower tax rate for re-use sector
LJUBLJANA - A number of environmental or socially-aware NGOs have come up with an initiative to reduce the tax rate for the re-use sector. The Focus NGO, Ecologists Without Borders, Fair Trade Slovenija and social enterprise Zavod Knof believe the move would give the sector a fresh impetus, hence strengthening local economies, diminishing consumption of natural resources and reducing waste.
Luka Dončić sends presents to patients at children's hospital
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's basketball star Luka Dončić sent toys and other Christmas presents to two hundred children currently at the children's hospital in Ljubljana, accompanied by a video message and signed photographs. Dončić, of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, donated hundreds of toys, from plush animals for babies to wooden toys for toddlers, as well as doll houses, Lego bricks, toy helicopters, cars and trucks.
