Protest warns about 5G's impact on public health
LJUBLJANA - On Global 5G Protest Day, several NGOs staged a rally in the centre of Ljubljana protesting against 5G wireless technology, arguing Slovenia is introducing it without testing its safety for people and without environmental impact assessment. Introducing 5G without proper tests violates the law and puts at risk the safety of people, animals, plants and the entire ecosystem, said the protest organisers. Some 200 protesters thus urged the government to prevent 5G's introduction to protect the health of its citizens. 5G has raised health as well as security concerns in many countries since its start, with a heated debate on pros and cons also under way in Slovenia. The government has set 30 June 2020 as the deadline for awarding the 5G broadband spectrum for commercial use, but the deadline may well not be met.
SOVA boss insists intel agency needs new powers
LJUBLJANA - Rajko Kozmelj, director of Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA, will insist the agency be given new powers to fight against violent extremism. The public and some politicians will probably find it hard to understand SOVA's arguments for more powers "until we are faced with a concrete threat", he told the newspaper Delo. The new powers envisaged in the draft resolution on the national security strategy would facilitate early detection of violent extremism, such as the Štajerska Varda para-military group, by allow the agency to secretly enter the homes of Slovenian citizens without ties to foreigners to gather data, which many found problematic. The parliamentary Defence Committee consequently voted against these provisions before the resolution was passed without them last September.
Culture minister sees publisher Mladinska Knjiga as strategic investment
LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Zoran Poznič said Mladinska Knjiga, the country's No.1 publisher, would be transferred from the bad bank to Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) and labelled a strategic investment. In an interview for Delo, he said "this is not an easy process, since there are many bureaucrats who think culture is just a burden and 'good for noting' Some have already been eyeing some 50 Mladinska Knjiga bookshops to turn them into shops and fast food restaurants". However, the bad bank told the STA "there is no activity under way at the moment to transfer the investment to SSH". It added "restructuring is under way at Mladinska Knjiga, and a decision on its future management will be formed at the BAMC once it is completed". It also noted the final decision would be taken by the bad bank's owner, the state.
Perutnina CEO says group doing well under new Ukrainian owner
PTUJ - Perutnina Ptuj, the country's largest poultry producer, has had a successful year since it was taken over by Ukrainian holding MHP last February. Its chairman Enver Šišić attributed the excellent results to the synergies with the new owner, although he did not yet reveal concrete figures. In an interview for the STA, he said the first year had focussed largely on harmonising their modes of operation. Optimisation and raising the technological quality of production were at the forefront, which reflects in significantly better business results. Šišić believes MHP is a strategic investor interested in Perutnina's long-term development, which can be seen from the initial investments. He considers this to be the biggest difference with the previous owners, who had not invested in modernisation and development for quite some time. Perutnina's financial plan for 2020 is ambitious, planning a rise in production, sales and revenues in all markets.
*Slovenia finish fourth at handball Euro
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - The Slovenian men's handball team finished fourth at the European Championship after losing to Norway 20:28 in the third-place match, in what is the second-best result for Slovenia ever at such tournaments. It was a sloppy and slow affair in the first half, with Norway making a run by the 20th minute to secure a four-goal lead, and never looked back thereafter. They did not let Slovenia to come close, also with help from some stellar goalkeeping. While Slovenia have failed to win a medal, they have secured a berth in an Olympic qualifying tournament hosted by Berlin on 17-19 April. Slovenia will play against Germany, Sweden and an African team, with the top two teams making it to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Ski jumping: Slovenia third in Zakopane
ZAKOPANE, Poland - Slovenia's team placed third with 1,125.0 points at today's World Cup event, finishing after the winners Germany and second-placed Norway. The team featured Anže Lanišek, Domen Prevc, Timi Zajc and Peter Prevc. Slovenia were also third after the first series, entering a fierce battle for third place with Austria and Poland, while Germany and Norway proved much too good to be caught up with.
Biathlon: France win both races at Pokljuka
POKLJUKA - The third day of the Biathlon World Cup meet in Slovenia's Pokljuka saw France win the single mixed relay and the mixed relay events. France's Emilien Jacquelin and Anais Bescond won the first race, beating Estonia's Rene Zahkna in Regina Oja (0+3) by 5.9 seconds and Austria's Simon Eder and Lisa Hauser (0+6), which lagged behind 12.1 seconds. France also dominated the mixed relay, beating Norway and Germany, with all three having fought for the first place throughout the race. The meet at the Slovenian plateau Pokljuka within the Triglav National Park will end on Sunday with a men's 15-km mass start and a women's 12.5-km mass start races.
