News roundup - Sunday, 8 January

New Covid-19 advice issued for travel to or from China

LJUBLJANA - The National Institute of Public Health issued recommendations for those travelling to or returning from China, urging them to get all the recommended Covid-19 jabs, wear face masks indoors and make sure to keep their hands clean. The recommendations were released as China lifted quarantine mandate on international travellers for the first time in nearly three years. The country faces as surge in Covid-19 cases after scrapping its zero Covid-19 policy last month.

Tribute paid to WWII battle of Dražgoše

DRAŽGOŠE - A sizeable crowd gathered in the village of Dražgoše in the north-west to mark the 81st anniversary of a WWII battle there. The keynote speaker, Freedom Movement MP Borut Sajovic labelled Dražgoše as a symbol of resistance, tragedy and loyalty to the homeland. Among those attending were the speakers of both houses of parliament, the minsters of culture and labour, Slovenia's first President Milan Kučan and current President Nataša Pirc Musar, who laid a wreath at the memorial to the Partisans who fell in the battle and the villagers who were killed by the Nazis in retaliation afterwards.

Smiljana Knez named new climate diplomacy envoy

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon has appointed Smiljana Knez, Slovenia's former ambassador to Croatia and the Czech Republic, as special envoy for climate diplomacy. She succeeds Eva Tomič, who became adviser for climate change and human rights to President Nataša Pirc Musar late last year. This week Fjon also appointed Ambassador Darja Bavdaž Kuret as the new chief diplomatic supervisor to succeed Andrej Grasselli on retirement.

Shiffrin matches Vonn's World Cup record in Kranska Gora

KRANJSKA GORA - US skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin won Sunday's giant slalom in Kranjska Gora to match Lindsey Vonn's women's World Cup skiing record of 82 victories. Italian Federica Brignone finished second, 77 hundredths of a second behind Shiffrin, and Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland placed third (+0.97). Slovenia's Ana Bucik placed 10th with a lag of 2.39 seconds. Back after an injury, Tina Robnik finished 29th (+6.96).

Dončić to continue to promote Slovenia's tourism

LJUBLJANA - NBA superstar Luka Dončić will continue to work with Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) on promoting Slovenia as a tourism destination abroad this year. The cooperation is valued at EUR 100,000. Dončić has 7.8 million followers on Instagram, far more than any other Slovenian. As such STO expects he will enhance Slovenia's global position and advance its image as an outdoor, sports and tourism destination.

Another podium for Ema Klinec in Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - Ema Klinec placed second in a Ski Jumping World Cup event in Sapporo, Japan in a repeat of the feat she accomplished at the same venue the day before. Another Slovenian jumper, Nika Križnar, placed 5th. Silje Opseth of Norway won the event and Austrian Eva Pinkelnig finished third. The latter continues as the leader in the overall World Cup standings. Križnar ranks 5th and Klinec 6th.

France and Norway win final biathlon events at Pokljuka

POKLJUKA - The Biathlon World Cup meet at Pokljuka wrapped up with France celebrating the mixed relay event victory ahead of Italy and Sweden. Fabien Claude, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Anais Chevalier-Bouchet and Julia Simon clocked the best time, 24.6 seconds ahead of the runners-up Didier Bionaz, Tomasso Giacomel, Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi. Slovenia finished 12th. Earlier, Norwegian biathletes Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Vetle Sjastad Christiansen won the mixed pairs race, a non Olympic event.

Strong winds cause power outages in NE

MURSKA SOBOTA/LJUTOMER - Strong winds caused disruption in the north-east of the country, uncovering several roofs and leaving more than 3,000 customers without power supply, according to the Civil Protection and Disaster Relief Administration. The winds caused the Ljutomer and Murska Sobota substations to fail. The administration said the damage had since been repaired but power distribution company Elektro Maribor said some customers were still without electricity.