PM Janša says freedom-loving countries started taking China seriously
LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša told the Indian news channel Wion on Saturday that the EU had not done enough to limit the growing threat from China. He believes the EU has put its economic interests before its values. Janša welcomed the conclusions on China adopted at the recent G7 summit and the recent NATO summit in Brussels, saying "the freedom loving countries have started taking China seriously for the first time in all of its dimensions". He also said China was a bigger challenge than Russia or some other countries, while the EU, the US, India and some other countries should cooperate in their approaches to it.
Expo brings long-term opportunities for Slovenia, its companies
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's Expo commissioner general Matic Volk has told the STA that over 70 Slovenian companies have already registered for Expo 2020 while the goal is to have more than 100, with at least 14 business delegations planned. Promotion of Slovenia and the companies will be enhanced with a range of events taking place at the Slovenian pavilion, including visits by senior politicians and other guests, among them athletes. Slovenia will also try to use to the maximum its EU presidency in July-December, also to host some of the EU events on the EU's day at the exhibition, Volk said in an interview with the STA.
Slovenian Press Agency marks 30th anniversary
LJUBLJANA - The STA celebrated its 30th anniversary with a ceremony in front of its headquarters in Ljubljana amid a rather uncertain financial situation to mark the day 30 years ago when it published its first news article. The agency started operating on 20 June 1991, just a few days before the declaration of Slovenia's independence, but is now faced with insolvency due to the government's refusal to provide the funds for the public service as set down by the law. "Unfortunately we are celebrating our 30th birthday in the most uncertain of times in the history of our media outlet," STA employees said in the statement read at the event. They pledged to continue to do their work professionally and not let be transformed into a PR service of any government.
Pride Parade highlights epidemic-related setbacks for LGBTIQ+ community
LJUBLJANA - The LGBTIQ+ community staged the Pride Parade in Ljubljana on Saturday afternoon under the slogan Resist the Oppression as a culmination of a week-long festival, demanding freedom, equality and unconditional respect for human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons as well as highlighting the adverse consequences of the coronavirus epidemic for the community. The parade was for the first time accompanied by the Balkan Trans Intersex March, which pointed to issues faced by members of the transgender, intersex and non-normative sexuality communities.
Slovenia reports 26 new Covid infections, no deaths for Saturday
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 26 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday, down by over 70% from the week before as a weeks-long decline continues. No patient with Covid-19 died, in what is the second day this week without Covid deaths, the latest government data show. The new cases come from nearly 1,060 PCR tests, for a positivity rate of 2.5%. The rolling seven-day average of daily cases declined to 76 from Friday and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population dropped to 75.
Portorož hosting European Congress of Mathematics
PORTOROŽ - More than 1,700 mathematicians from across the globe will take part in the 8th European Congress of Mathematics, which started in Portorož and is organised by the University of Primorska. The majority of participants come from Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Spain and the UK with mathematicians from Russia, the US and China participating as well. One of the world's major events of its kind will be held in a hybrid form until 26 June.
