News roundup - Wednesday, 11 August, until 3pm

Coronavirus case count at 248 on Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia saw 248 people test positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, an increase of nearly 80% from the same day a week ago, as 12.6% of the PCR tests were positive, show figures from the National Institute of Public Health. The 7-day average of new cases increased to 139, up by 15 from the day before, and the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents rose by eight to 81. The Jožef Stefan Institute says the country has already moved to the orange phase under ECDC criteria.

Brussels clears Slovenian-Czech rail joint venture

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission approved, under the EU merger regulation, the acquisition of joint control over a joint venture created by the Slovenian rail operator Slovenske Železnice (SŽ) and Czech EP Logistics International to be active in intermodal rail freight transport. The goal of the strategic partnership is to create a logistics leader in Southeast Europe, comprising Slovenia, North Italy, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and the rest of the Balkans.

New traffic rules kick in

LJUBLJANA - A set of changes to traffic rules entered into force today, substantially lowering fines for speeding while more than doubling the fine for talking on the phone while driving. The latter will carry a fine of EUR 250 plus three penalty points. The new law regulates electric scooters for the first time, and allows drivers to turn right at a red light at crossroads with good visibility. Drivers overtaking cyclists and light motor vehicles will need to keep a 1.5 metre sideward distance from them.

Brewer Laško Union 2020 performance affected by Covid

LJUBLJANA/LAŠKO - Pivovarna Laško Union, Slovenia's largest brewery, last year generated EUR 145.6 million in net sales revenue, down 6.9% from the year before. The company, which is part of the Heineken group, attributes the drop to the Covid-19 outbreak. Net profit decreased by 31.5% to EUR 16.7 million. Volume-wise, sales of beers brewed by Pivovarna Laško Union in the Slovenian market were down by 9.6%. In foreign markets, volume sales of beer rose by 11.8% to represent 32% of the total sales last year.

Pahor receives crew of first feature film in independent Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor hosted the creators of the first feature film in independent Slovenia, Babica gre na jug (Grandma Goes South), saying that the reception in the Presidential Palace sent a message that the period of independence efforts had also been the time of major cultural events. The team that made the 1991 comedy drama was received as part of a series of events hosted by Pahor to mark the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence.

Fans greet Olympians in Ljubljana's Congress Square

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Olympians were welcomed by fans in Ljubljana's Congress Square on Tuesday evening, earning cheers and applauses after what were the most successful Summer Olympic Games for the nation, as the athletes returned home with three gold medals. The men's basketball team did not attend the reception due to other obligations, and neither did riders Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar, who addressed the crowd and thanked fans for the support in a video recording.