23 Jul 2019, 02:19 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Additional soldiers deployed to reinforce border control

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Armed Forces deployed an additional 35 soldiers to assist police protecting the border. The reinforcements work with the Koper police department, with the soldiers using surveillance equipment as well as armoured vehicles. The move, which puts the total number of troops on the southern border to 130, came a few weeks after PMr Marjan Šarec said security on Slovenia's southern border would be beefed up, including with additional soldiers and new equipment such as drones. The army may exert limited police powers on the border since legislation allowing this was passed in October 2015, while soldiers have been helping police patrol the border since February 2016.

Minister endorses Poklukar as new UKC Ljubljana head

LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Aleš Šabeder endorsed Janez Poklukar for the new general director of the UKC Ljubljana hospital. Poklukar, the hospital's governing board's pick, received assurances that he will have full support of the Health Ministry in introducing changes at the hospital. Šabeder, who ran the hospital for more than a year before he was appointed minister in March, said he had presented the situation at UKC to Poklukar. The minister said he was happy with Poklukar's vision for UKC.

Chinese owners attempt to limit access to Maribor airport

MARIBOR - The Chinese owners of airport operator Aerodrom Maribor have put up signs to limit access to Maribor airport, which is currently managed by DRI, a state-owned company, media reported. This is the latest twist in the story of the airport, whose management was handed over to DRI, the state-owned consulting and engineering company specialised in infrastructure projects, in early June. The government decided for the move after the Chinese-backed Aerodrom Maribor it was invoking a six-month notice and terminating the 15-year lease agreement it signed in 2017 due to delays in a planned expansion of the runway. The Infrastructure Ministry told the STA that the easement in the area of Maribor airport was settled in the land register and that any disputes over the matter would be settled in court.

Medical Chamber performance bonuses not solving GPs' predicament

LJUBLJANA - The Medical Chamber expressed criticism of the government's decision to try to appease general practitioners with a new performance bonus scheme, saying it is tied to overtime work that should not be expected of teams that are overburdened as it is. The chamber said the scheme would not reduce the workload of GPs - the key reason why a number of them quit their job this year - nor would it improve the service received by patients or reduce waiting times. While it said it was aware of financial constraints, the chamber highlighted the outsourcing of a bigger part of the workload to private practitioners with concessions as a key need.

Number of ship passengers at Slovenian coast up 23% last year

LJUBLJANA - A total of 4,066 ships were recorded in the Slovenian coastal towns of Koper, Izola and Piran last year, which is 7.2% less than in 2017. However, passenger traffic was up by 23.2%, mostly on account of cruise ships, the Statistics Office said. A total of 132,814 ship passengers were recorded on the Slovenian coast last year, 108,682 of whom arrived on cruise ships, which is 55% more than in 2017. Some 11.873 came with passenger and other ships, while 12,259 departed from the three coastal towns. Both numbers are 36% lower than in 2017.

Vega flight failure delays Slovenian satellite launch

MARIBOR - The launch of the first Slovenian nanosatellite into orbit has been delayed by the failed launch of Arianespace's Vega rocket, which was to take the satellite into space. Trisat, which has been developed at the Maribor Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in cooperation with the Slovenian company Skylabs, was initially planned for the launch on 9 September. However, after the European space company Arianespace failed to launch Vega into orbit from the space centre in French Guiana on 11 July, the dates of all other planned launches have been delayed.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

22 Jul 2019, 02:44 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Monday, 22 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Grossmann's Vicious Cat goes to Indian film Tumbbad

LJUTOMER - Indian period horror film Tumbbad is the winner of the Grossmann Film Festival's main award, the Vicious Cat, for the best feature film. Honorary Vicious Cats for outstanding contribution to genre films have gone to this year's honorary guests, Swedish actress Christina Lindberg and Israeli-US director Sam Firstenberg.

Bulk of large group of migrants returned to Croatia

KOPER - The majority of migrants who were apprehended in a large group in Ilirska Bistrica area on Friday have been handed over to Croatian authorities, the Koper police department told the press on Sunday. Police spokesman Tomaž Čehovin said that 108 out of 123 apprehended migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, had been handed over to Croatia, while 15, mostly minors, had requested international protection.

Pletna latest addition to Slovenia's intangible cultural heritage

BLED - The Culture Ministry has recently added a number of activities or characteristics in the Slovenian intangible cultural heritage register, including building and rowing Pletna boats on Lake Bled, mobile beekeeping and the Prekmurje dialect.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

21 Jul 2019, 02:13 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: 21 July, 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Fitch upgrades credit rating for Slovenia from A- to A

LJUBLJANA - The rating agency Fitch upgraded on Friday the credit rating for Slovenia from A- to A with a stable outlook. Fitch highlighted the lowering of the public debt, the public finances surplus and the country's economic growth among the reasons, the Finance Ministry said. "Following the April outlook upgrade by Moody's from stable to positive, there was S&P's credit rating upgrade from A+ to AA- in June, and yesterday Slovenia's good shape was also confirmed by Fitch," Finance Minister Andrej Bertoncelj said.

Over 120 migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, apprehended near border

KOPER - Koper police apprehended on Friday over 120 migrants in the Ilirska Bistrica area close the southern border with Croatia's and the western border with Italy. Most of the migrants, the bulk of which are Afghan citizens, will be returned to Croatia today. Police have assessed that the group numbers around 200 in total and the search, involving police dogs and a helicopter, continues, with 122 people apprehended by Saturday morning.

Janša tells SDS's annual get-together that party has grown stronger

BOVEC - Democrats (SDS) head Janez Janša hailed the opposition party's election results in the past year and criticised the current government as he addressed the starting gathering of the SDS's traditional two-week summer camp near Bovec. Janša said the government had been formed after the general election by the losers, which he aruged was not usual "in normal democracies". Also, he said the choice of Slovenian's Ambassador to the EU Janez Lenarčič as the Slovenian candidate for EU commissioner had been guided solely by the wish to put forward somebody who would not endanger anyone at home, irrespective of their prospect for benefiting Slovenia. Meanwhile, he said the party had grown stronger, having 2000 new members.

Slovenia joins celebrations of Moon landing anniversary

VITANJE/BISTRA - Slovenia joined global celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing this weekend as the Noordung Centre in Vitanje and the Technical Museum in Bistra host special events dedicated to one of humanity's greatest technological achievements.

MetalDays to paint Tolmin region black

TOLMIN - The MetalDays open-air music festival kicked off near the north-western town of Tolmin today and will feature over 100 performers until 27 July. Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, German-US power metal band Demons & Wizards and Finland's singer-songwriter Tarja are among the highlights. Metal fans from across the world flock to the Tolmin area every July, deeming the festival a paradise that not only provides great music acts but also a camping site and refreshing escape in the emerald green waters of the Soča and Tolminka rivers.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

20 Jul 2019, 02:04 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Saturday, 20 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Lenarčič highlights environment, research as portfolios of interest

LJUBLJANA - Janez Lenarčič, Slovenia's candidate for EU commissioner, highlighted environment and research as portfolios he is interested in, as he spoke to Slovenian correspondents in Brussels. "Personally and for Slovenia, I think portfolios that Slovenia used to have are very interesting, in particular environment as well as research and regional policy," he said. He also mentioned digitalisation, international development cooperation and enlargement. Lenarčič will be heard by the parliamentary EU Affairs Committee next Thursday. Its opinion is not binding on the government.

SID bank could become Slovenia's systemic bank

LJUBLJANA - Finance Minister Andrej Bertoncelj told the weekly Mladina in an interview that the SID Bank, Slovenia's development and export bank, had great potential to become the country's systemic bank following the privatisation of NLB. He expects a debate about this at the level of the state, after SID management draws up a new strategy. The minister announced that legislation to introduce a real estate tax would be drafted by the end of the year and could kick in on 1 January 2021.

Court of Audit to get more powers in state-owned companies

LJUBLJANA - The Finance Ministry has submitted for public debate a draft bill on the Court of Audit that expands the state auditor's powers in comes to companies co-owned by the state or by municipalities. The court can already audit legal entities of public law, as well as private companies that have received aid from the EU, the state or local budgets, which provide a public service or public goods as concessionaires and those with majority state or municipality ownership. Now its auditing powers are to be expanded to entities where the state, municipalities or public entities hold at least 20%.

State acquires another 21% in spa company Terme Olimia

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) announced it had acquired a 20.9% stake in spa operator Terme Olimia from NKBM bank, without disclosing the value of the deal. The acquisition will increase the state's interest in the bank to over 77%, so SSH will publish a takeover bid for remaining shares. The move is part of the government's plan to consolidate ownership in tourism and hotel companies under one roof, to be incorporated under the name State Hospitality Fund.

Corruption watchdog's panel complete again

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor confirmed the appointment of Simon Savski, a Justice Ministry security adviser, as one of two deputy heads of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. Savski is joining Uroš Novak and the commission's head Boris Štefanec to complete the watchdog's three-member panel. Savski, who performed various tasks in the police force and the Interior Ministry in the past, is filling the spot vacated by Igor Lamberger, whose five-year term ended in June.

EU funds for reconstruction of Ljubljana marshes pile dwelling

LJUBLJANA - A project entitled the Interpretation of Biodiversity and Heritage of Pile Dwellings in the Ljubljana Marshes has been okayed for funding by the government. The EU-backed project will celebrate pre-historic life in the wetlands south of the capital with an interpretation centre, a reconstructed pile dwelling and connecting pathway. EUR 2.3 million has been earmarked in support of the project, of which nearly EUR 1.3 million will come from the European Regional Development Fund.

Four NASA space travellers of Slovenian origin

WASHINGTON, US - After Neil Armstrong claimed the Moon for the very first time 50 years ago, four US astronauts of Slovenian descent have visited space - Ronald Šega, Jerry Linenger, Sunita Williams and Randy Bresnik. All four of them have paid a visit to Slovenia and taken Slovenian symbols to space, including a national flag and a kranjska klobasa sausage. Bresnik met the legendary Neil Armstrong on his first day in his job in NASA in 2004. [More on this story here]

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

19 Jul 2019, 02:13 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 19 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Govt nominates Lenarčič for Slovenia's European commissioner

LJUBLJANA - The government nominated Janez Lenarčič, Slovenia's ambassador to the EU and career diplomat, for the country's European commissioner. He was backed by 13 votes in favour, while three ministers from the ranks of the SocDems voted against, criticising Prime Minister Marjan Šarec for what they see as a unilateral decision. Describing Lenarčič as a technocrat, the opposition Democrats (SDS) commented that the pick showed Slovenia's lack of ambition.

Lynda Blanchard endorsed as new US ambassador to Slovenia

WASHINGTON, US - Lynda Blanchard was endorsed the new US ambassador to Slovenia by the US Senate, more than a year after being nominated by President Donald Trump. An entrepreneur and humanitarian activist from Alabama, Blanchard was endorsed by 54 votes in favour and 40 against. The US Embassy in Ljubljana has been headed by charges d'affaires since Ambassador Brent Hartley ended his term in July 2018. After Gautam Rana, Susan K. Falatko has been serving as charge d'affaires since late June.

Slovenia, Italy indicate they could help Croatia in border protection

HELSINKI, Finland - Slovenian and Italian interior ministers Boštjan Poklukar and Matteo Salvini shared the view that protection of the EU's external borders was of greater importance than the issues related to internal borders. Meeting at the sidelines of an EU ministerial on Wednesday evening, they offered help to Croatia in securing the EU's external border. The Interior Ministry said that Poklukar also mentioned a possibility of sending the Frontex agency to Croatia's border with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Fresh round of diplomatic appointments

LJUBLJANA - A dozen new ambassadors were formally appointed as part of a regular rotation at Slovenian diplomatic missions this week. Embassies in countries including France, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Italy and the Holy See will get new leaderships this summer under orders signed by President Borut Pahor. The vast majority of the appointees are career diplomats.

Ex-finance minister named succession rep

LJUBLJANA - Mateja Vraničar Erman, the former finance minister, was appointed Slovenia's high representative for succession, to succeed Ana Polak Petrič, after she was named the new ambassador to Japan. As the high representative she was in charge of negotiations on assumption of guarantees for Yugoslav-era foreign currency savings deposits at the Basel Bank for International Settlements. These tasks will now be handled by Vraničar Erman.

Private school funding cuts not passed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly failed to override a veto by the National Council of the legislative changes cutting funds for private primary schools. The minority government was three votes short of an absolute majority of 46 votes required to pass the legislation in a revote. The outcome did not come as a surprise after the amendments to the act on organisation and financing of education had been endorsed by only 42 votes in favour the first time around, the coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) having abstained.

Bill curbing realtors' fees confirmed in revote

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly overturned an upper chamber veto on a bill that limits commission fees for leasing real estate and other costs which real estate agencies can charge their clients, voting 51:21 in favour of the legislation. Under the amendments to the act on real estate agency tabled by the Left, landlords will fully pay the commission fee charged by a real estate agency for a service commissioned by them.

New migration strategy addresses legal, illegal migrations

LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a framework migrations strategy that addresses both legal migrations as a major source of much needed labour, as well as illegal migrations as a source of security threats and challenges with regard to integration. The strategy deals with migrations "over a long-term horizon in a multi-faceted and comprehensive way, prioritising a better understanding of all aspects of migrations," the government said. In illegal migrations, Slovenia plans to focus on fast verification of eligibility for international protection, effective return of such persons, and elimination of sources of risk to national security.

Major logistics centre near Ljubljana Airport completed

BRNIK - Contractors have completed works on a major logistics centre adjacent to Ljubljana Airport that will be operated by Austrian logistics giant Cargo Partner. Spanning over almost 30,000 square metres, the new facility is expected to help turn the airport area in a major logistics hub. Engineering company Protim Ržišnik Perc, which oversaw the project, said the new facility has 25,000 square metres of warehousing space, plus 4,000 square metres of office space.

Works start on extension of Ljubljana airport passenger terminal

BRNIK - A cornerstone ceremony marked the start of construction of a passenger terminal extension at the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. The project is to be completed in two years, with the total cost of investment exceeding EUR 21 million. The current capacities of the terminal provide service to 500 passengers per hour, while the new terminal will cater to 1,250 passengers per hour.

Anti-trust watchdog fines United Group EUR 3.7 million

LJUBLJANA - The Competition Protection Agency imposed a EUR 3.7 million fine on United Media, the media division of United Group, for belated notification of a market concentration pertaining to Sport Klub TV channels. A court ruling in United Group's appeal against the watchdog's order to sell these channels is still pending. United Group announced they would challenge the decision, which means it is not final yet.

Cyclist Roglič still on market

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's cycling star Primož Roglič told the Siol Sportal web portal that he had not yet signed a new contract or renewed the one with the Dutch Jumbo-Vismo team. He added that he had received a number of offers. Roglič confirmed that he had been discussing a possible contract renewal with Jumbo-Vismo Team but had not yet made up his mind. He said however that he had been discussing with Jumbo-Vismo cooperation through the end of 2023.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

18 Jul 2019, 02:04 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 18 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia's ambassador to EU Lenarčič candidate for commissioner

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec put forward Janez Lenarčič, Slovenia's permanent representative to the EU, as the country's candidate for European commissioner. A seasoned diplomat, Lenarčič, 51, has served as ambassador to the OSCE, director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and as secretary of Slovenia's permanent UN mission. "He's experienced, he knows how the EU operates, he's been working in diplomacy for a long time. This is what we presently need," Šarec said. The government is to decide on Lenarčič's nomination on Thursday, but the SocDems are unhappy with the pick, while other coalition parties would not comment and the opposition criticised the choice.

Šarec expects von der Leyen to respect rule of law

LJUBLJANA/STRASBOURG, France - Commenting on the election of Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec said he expected she would behave differently than her predecessor. "I expect her to respect the rule of law and not take sides, to be more active when it comes to the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans and to secure equal treatment for all member states," he said. Slovenian MEPs expect von der Leyen to fulfil the promises she made before the vote. Of the eight Slovenian MEPs only the two S&D members voted against her.

Meeting sets three priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Government members met for a second meeting in preparations for Slovenia's presidency of the EU in the second half of 2021 at Brdo pri Kranju, setting out the rule of law, sustainable development and security in the Western Balkans as top priorities. The top priorities will expectedly be adopted by the government at its first session in August, the government Communications Office said. Slovenia's second stint as the EU presiding country is expected to cost the country EUR 80 million.

Constitutional Court bans automatic licence plate recognition

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court annulled legislation that allows police to use systems for automatic licence plate recognition, finding it contravenes the constitutional right to protection of personal data. Acting on a petition by the Human Rights Ombudsman, the court annulled part of Article 113 of the police tasks and powers act pertaining to automatic license plate recognition, which was passed as part of legislative amendments in February 2017. The police has not yet put the contentious provision in practice. The court is yet to decide on other contentious provisions in the law.

NSi seeks to lift statue of limitations for sex crimes

LJUBLJANA - The conservative party New Slovenia (NSi) filed an amendment to the penal code to lift the statute of limitations on prosecution of crimes linked to sexual abuse. Under the penal code the statute of limitations for sex crimes is between 10 and 30 years, depending on the length of prison sentence they carry. NSi leader Matej Tonin said that the statute of limitations was problematic because victims would often not speak out about abuse for years, so the perpetrators might get off the hook.

Ascent Resources turns to Administrative Court over Petišovci gas field

LJUBLJANA - Ascent Resources, the UK developer of the Petišovci gas field in eastern Slovenia, has reportedly launched administrative dispute proceedings in Slovenia after it was ordered to get a separate permit for hydraulic fracturing. The move, reported on Tuesday by the Stock Market Wire news portal, comes after the Environment Ministry upheld the Environment Agency's decision that the investor needs a separate environmental permit for the controversial gas extraction project in Petišovci.

Decision to strip Telemach of portion of wireless spectrum suspended

LJUBLJANA - The Administrative Court has stayed the telecoms market regulator's decision to strip Telemach of a portion of wireless spectrum which it acquired through the acquisition of Tušmobil in 2014. The Agency for Communication Networks and Services wanted to take away a portion of wireless spectrum that had been awarded to Tušmobil free of charge in 2008, and publish a new call for bids, but Telemach appealed and the Administrative Court suspended the measure pending its final decision.

Immigration trend hit ten-year high in 2018

LJUBLJANA - More than 4,300 Slovenian citizens and some 24,100 foreigners immigrated to Slovenia last year, with the total share of Slovenia's population growth attributable to immigrants being the highest since 2008 - there were almost 15,000 more immigrants than emigrants, according to the Statistics Office. Almost 6,600 Slovenians and more than 6,900 foreigners moved out of the country in 2018. The population growth attributable to Slovenian immigrants was negative for the 19th consecutive year.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

17 Jul 2019, 02:46 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Wednesday, 17 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Šarec and Židan also expect date for N Macedonia EU talks in October

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's expectation that the EU will give North Macedonia the green light to start accession negotiations in October was reiterated as Prime Minister Marjan Šarec and Parliamentary Speaker received North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski. Šarec and Pendarovski, who chose Slovenia as the first country to visit since assuming office in May, focused on bilateral relations and the inclusion of North Macedonia into Euro-Atlantic alliances. Židan said it was important that countries striving for EU membership be treated individually, on the basic of their achievements.

Anti-graft watchdog looking into Kangler inquiry

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption has initiated proceedings against the National Council on suspicion that ethics and integrity of the upper chamber of parliament have been violated through the initiative for a parliamentary inquiry into prosecution of councillor Franc Kangler. The anti-graft watchdog's letter urging the National Council to hand over the documents pertaining to the initiative for the parliamentary inquiry for the purpose of anti-graft proceedings was published by Kangler on his Twitter profile on Monday.

French multinational enters Slovenian elderly care market

RADENCI - Orpea, a French multinational that specialises in assisted living services, has entered the Slovenian market via its Austrian subsidiary Senecura by purchasing a retirement home in Radenci, eastern Slovenia, called Dosor. Senecura purchased the facility earlier this year from Radenci municipality and the Austrian bad bank Heta and plans to use it as a springboard for Slovenia, having previously acquired the licence to build several small retirement homes around the country with a total of 310 beds.

Ombudsman urges office holders to refrain from hate speech

LJUBLJANA - Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina has urged holders of public office to refrain from hate speech, a response to a far-right MP saying how he would shoot a migrant who recently stabbed a taxi driver. "All holders of public office and politicians must refrain from discriminatory and hateful statements, written or spoken, that belittles, intimidates or harms anyone in any way," Svetina said. His statement comes after National Party (SNS) MP Dušan Šiško told the parliamentary Home Policy Committee on Monday that "I would send a shot in his head" when he referred to an Iraqi man who recently assaulted a taxi driver and was shot in the leg by police.

Two migrants cross Drava into Slovenia with five children

ORMOŽ - Two migrants were apprehended by Slovenian police officers in the Ormož area Monday evening after they crossed illegally into the country across the Drava river with five children. According to a press release from the Maribor Police Administration, an Iraqi national crossed the border river with four children and a Syrian with one child. Starving, the children and adults were given food and water before being taken to an asylum centre where they applied for international protection.

Turnišče eyeing EUR 14 million investment

TURNIŠČE - An investor is reportedly interested in buying a large plot in Turnišče, eastern Slovenia, to build a EUR 14 million plant for the production of electric vehicles, the municipality revealed. The municipality is in the process of selling three hectares of land in an industrial zone valued at EUR 168,000. Turnišče Mayor Borut Horvat told the STA that a company looking for a car production location for a foreign investor is interested in the plot. While refusing to reveal the company's name, Horvat said the municipality had been in talks and had signed a memorandum of understanding. The investor has an Egyptian and a Slovenian director.

Slovenia's Roglič renews contract with Jumbo Vismo

LJUBLJANA/AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Slovenian cycling star Primož Roglič has renewed his contract with the Dutch Team Jumbo-Visma until the end of 2023. The agreement has been reached through a verbal promise and is to be signed in the upcoming days, Slovenian media reported citing the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. The cyclist's current contract with the Dutch bicycle racing team would expire in 2020. Roglič, who is one of the hottest cyclists in the market at the moment, will thus continue to race for the Jumbo-Visma team, participating in multi-stage races, including the three major ones - the first one, the Tour of Spain, will take place at the end of summer.

Slovenian mountaineer dies in Pakistan

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian mountaineer Janez Svoljšak, a member of the Kranj Alpine Association, died on Monday during an expedition in Pakistan, the Slovenian Alpine Association (PZS). The 25-year-old from Škofja Loka (NW) died in a base camp under the 6,650 m Tahu Rutum mountain in the Karakoram mountain range. He was an established mountaineer, having conquered peaks in Pakistan, Patagonia, the Canadian Rockies as well as Montana and Colorado in the US. His career highlights include climbing the Schmidt route up the North Face of the Matterhorn alone as well as a sole single-day ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc via the Innominata ridge - both achievements are considered a tour-de-force of mountaineering.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

16 Jul 2019, 02:56 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Tuesday, 16 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia to join Instex mechanism to preserve trade with Iran

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia will join to Instex mechanism meant to help European companies continue doing business with Iran despite US sanctions against the Gulf country, Foreign Minister Miro Cerar announced. The mechanism was set up in January by Germany, France and Great Britain and allegedly eight more members already announced they would join. Cerar quoted the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini as saying that the number of members wishing to join is growing, while third countries are also expressing interest. Unofficially, 12 EU member states have so far expressed interest to participate, including the three founders.

Pahor and Pendarovski urge EU to start North Macedonia accession talks

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor reiterated Slovenia's support for North Macedonia to join the EU and NATO as he hosted North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski. Pahor expects the EU to deliver on its promise and green-light the start of accession negotiations in October. Pendarovski picked Slovenia as the destination for his first official visit abroad since taking up his post in May. He said North Macedonia had felt disappointed in June, but highlighted he had been assured the postponement was of a technical nature and thus he remained optimistic about October.

Concerns in parliament over Italy's plans for border fence

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Policy Committee discussed joint Slovenian-Italian border police patrols at an emergency session with the opposition arguing that these were misguided and could give an excuse to Italy put up a border fence. Jernej Vrtovec, the deputy for opposition New Slovenia (NSi), which called the session, labelled the joint patrols a mistake with long-term consequences. He argued that in this way Slovenia would give Italy an excuse to consider other, stiffer measures to control migration, including erecting a fence on the most exposed border sections.

National Council vetoes cut of state funding for private primary schools

LJUBLJANA - The National Council, the upper chamber of parliament, vetoed legislative changes that cut state funding for private primary schools, arguing the cut was in opposition to the Constitutional Court decision ordering that funding be equalised with that for public schools. The opponents of the changes claim the legislator introduced an unfair distinction between publicly approved curricula and those that obtained public certification, the latter applying for private schools. The veto could spell trouble for the controversial changes, adopted in a 42:36 vote. The coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC), which abstained from voting last week, said it would not change its mind, meaning the absolute majority needed to override the veto is not there.

Upper chamber vetoes bill curbing realtors' rental fees

LJUBLJANA - A bill to limit commission fees for leasing real estate and other costs which real estate agencies can charge their clients was vetoed by the National Council. The veto comes as real estate agencies have vehemently protested the bill and have threatened to petition the Constitutional Court. While the supporters of the bill, led by the opposition Left, argue the cap on the commission fee for rentals and having landlords cover it in full would protect the weakest, businesses argue the changes encroach on the free market. Having the back of the coalition, the Left is confident the veto will be overridden by the National Assembly.

Bad bank reports record yield in 2018

LJUBLJANA - The Bank Asset Management Company (BAMC), managing more than EUR 800 millions in assets, generated EUR 57.7 million in profit after tax last year and EUR 228 million in turnover, according to an audited annual business report. The bad bank's capital gains yield reached a record 28.8%, far over the required 8%. The bank's capital increased by EUR 53.4 million to EUR 199.9 million last year. At the end of the year, the bad bank managed EUR 830.1 million in fair value assets. The figure was 13% lower than in 2017. Loans accounted for 67% of the assets managed by BAMC, followed by real estate (22%) and investments (11%).

Slovenian researchers in major materials breakthrough

LJUBLJANA - A group of researchers from the Jožef Stefan Institute has discovered what they describe as an entirely new kind of matter that cannot be understood with existing physics and which opens up an entirely new field. Their paper was published in the latest issue of Nature Materials. Conducting experiments designed to create new kinds of quantum materials under non-equilibrium conditions, the researchers used short laser pulses to crate an unusually thick amorphous matter in which electrons become jammed because of strong interaction.

Average pay up year-on-year

LJUBLJANA - The average gross salary in Slovenia was at EUR 1,728.12 in May and EUR 1,113.88 net. Compared to May 2018, average gross salary was 3.9% higher in nominal terms and 2.5% higher in real terms. Net salary was 3.4% higher in nominal terms and 2% higher in real terms compared to the May of last year, according to the Statistics Office. The highest net wages were paid out in the financial and insurance sector, EUR 1,556.92 net. Compared to April, average gross and net pay was 0.1% lower in nominal terms and 1% lower in real terms.

EUR 200m broadband internet investment launched in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - In the next three years, some EUR 200 million will be invested in the building of broadband optical networks in rural parts of Slovenia as part of the RUNE project, co-funded by the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Rural Network Project will be launched this year and will bring internet speeds of up to 10Gb/s to rural households, RUNE Enia, the company in charge of the investment in Slovenia, said.

Šarec party's lead wearing thin in Delo poll

LJUBLJANA - PM Marjan Šarec's party slipped back in the latest poll commissioned by the newspaper Delo, its lead ahead of the opposition Democrats (SDS) narrowing down to a mere 0.3 percentage points. The poll, conducted by Mediana and carried by Delo, gives the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) 14.6%, down as much as four points from the month before. The SDS is now at 14.3%, having lost 0.8 points, followed by the Social Democrats (SD), who slipped half a point to 7.8%. While the leading trio lost ground, the Left gained as much as 1.5 points, the most of all parties, to poll at 7.7%.

British Airways launching flights to Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - British Airways is launching a new route to Ljubljana with its first plane from London Heathrow Airport due to touch down at Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport. The British air carrier had already operated scheduled flights to Ljubljana from Gatwick airport at the turn of the millennium, when Slovenian air carrier Adria Airways was flying to Heathrow. Becoming the third carrier to fly between London and Slovenia's capital, British Airways will link the capitals twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, on a 220-seater Airbus 321.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

15 Jul 2019, 02:14 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Monday, 15 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

LMŠ and Šarec going strong in Vox Populi survey

LJUBLJANA - The July Vox Populi poll commissioned by the public broadcaster TV Slovenija and newspaper Dnevnik shows that the senior coalition Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) continues to top the party rankings, with Prime Minister Marjan Šarec at the top of the popularity ranking of politicians. Conducted by pollster Ninamedia between 9 and 11 July on a sample of 700 people, the poll shows 21.2% support for LMŠ, followed by the opposition Democrats (SDS) with 17.7%. The coalition Social Democrats (SD) are in place three with 10%, while the opposition Left is fourth with 6.1%. The rest of the parties are under the 4% parliament threshold according to the poll. Šarec has meanwhile reclaimed the top spot in the popularity ranking, dethroning President Borut Pahor, who is now in place two.

N-plant safety upgrade more than half-way complete

KRŠKO - Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Slovenia's only nuclear power plant, NEK in the southeastern town of Krško, launched an extensive upgrade of its safety systems. Expected to complete in 2021, the project is just over half-way through. The first phase of the upgrade was completed in 2013, while a year earlier the N-plant, built by Westinghouse in 1981, was evaluated as one of the safest in Europe in stress tests performed in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

14 Jul 2019, 02:02 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Sunday, 14 July 2019

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also ollow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here

Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here

This summary is provided by the STA:

Left makes support conditional on govt giving up rightist policies

LJUBLJANA - The Left threatened to withhold its support for the crucial 2020-2021 budget bills in autumn unless the government implements the agreement is signed with the Left and "gives up rightist policies". "The Left will not support a right government," party leader Luka Mesec said after a session of the party's council, lamenting the current government's "strong neoliberal and authoritarian tendencies".

Minority marks 99 years since torching of Trieste institution

TRIESTE, Italy - The Slovenian minority in Italy marked the 99th anniversary of the torching of the Narodni Dom (National Home). While the anniversary is commemorated each year, this was the first time the main minority organisations organised it together. Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed the wish that he would be joined by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the centenary commemoration next year, highlighting the need for dialogue in particular in testing times.

Govt deliberating on subsidies for several investments

LJUBLJANA - The government is currently examining several requests for subsidies by domestic and foreign investors worth about EUR 30 million, Economy Ministry State Secretary Aleš Cantarutti told the STA. He mentioned the planned sawmill by Scottish company BSW Timber, and the Turkish company Yildiz Entegre Adria, which wants to invest in a defunct chipboard manufacturer.

Finances of Slovenian households improving

LJUBLJANA - The financial position of Slovenian households continues to improve, with assets growth far outstripping debt. In the first quarter, the surplus of assets over debt widened by EUR 3.2 billion year-on-year to EUR 33.5 billion, show central bank figures.

If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here

Ljubljana related