News roundup - Monday, 9 August, until 3pm
Ljubljana, 9 August - Below is a roundup of major events on Monday, 9 August, until 3pm local time:
Slovenia's goods exports in June up 21% year-on-year
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia exported EUR 3.3 billion in goods in June, which is 21% more year-on-year, while imports were up by 30.6% to EUR 3.4 billion, the Statistics Office said, noting the figures were also up on the pre-Covid levels in June 2019. In June 2021, a deficit in trade was recorded for a third month in a row, standing at EUR 100 million, with exports covering imports at a rate of 97.5%. In the first half of the year, exports were up by 18.9% compared to the same period last year, to stand at EUR 19.2 billion, while imports were up by 24.9%, to stand at EUR 19 billion.
Growth in Covid infections continues
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 46 new coronavirus cases for Sunday in 668 PCR tests as the week-on-week rise in infections continued. The 7-day average of new cases rose by two to 118 and the cumulative 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents increased by one to 68, show figures released by the National Institute of Public Health. There are now an estimated 1,480 active cases in the country, a daily rise of 26.
World's fourth best basketball team greeted in Slovenia
BRNIK - The Slovenian men's basketball team returned to the homeland on Sunday afternoon after winning the 4th place at the latest Summer Olympics. They were greeted at Ljubljana airport by some 500 fans and senior sport officials, who expressed gratitude for the unbelievable result for the team that made its Olympic debut in Tokyo. The team's superstar Luka Dončić, who is expected to sign a new, five-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks in Ljubljana on Tuesday, said that the initial disappointment with the team missing out on a medal had waned off, announcing the pursuit of new feats.
Seven-member Slovenian Summer Paralympics team unveiled
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian team for the 2020 Summer Paralympics, which will take place in Tokyo from 24 August to 5 September, was presented to the public, featuring seven athletes in seven sports. The event took place in front of a Lidl shop in Ljubljana where a countdown clock for the Paralympics was installed last year. Today, the athletes and guests symbolically watered a Japanese cherry tree, while Japanese Ambassador to Slovenia Hiromichi Matsushima wished the athletes all the best at the games.