Daily headlines - Tuesday, 22 February

DELO

Rising food prices
"Only lower tax can mitigate food price hikes": The Chamber of Commerce has proposed cutting VAT on basic food items to 4% to mitigate rising food prices, but the chamber's head says the Finance Ministry is not in favour of the proposal. (front page, page 9)

Ukraine crisis
"Russia recognises independence of the Donbas": In a televised address to the nation yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed the Duma's appeal to recognise independence of the two rebel regions in eastern Ukraine. (front page, page 5)

DNEVNIK

Ukraine crisis
"Kyiv insists on normality, Putin provoking": The paper's correspondent from Kyiv reports on the atmosphere in the Ukrainian capital shortly before Russia recognised independence of the two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. (front page, page 6, commentary 12)

Parole for former CEO
"Will Bavčar soon be free": Igor Bavčar, who is serving five years in prison for money laundering as former CEO of Istrabenz, has been granted parole, according to unofficial news circling in the judiciary. (front page, page 3)

FINANCE

Euro economy
"End of restrictions boosts economy": As soon as Covid restrictions were lifted, economic activity in the euro zone rebounded, in particular the services industry as well as manufacturing, show first assessments by IHS Markit. (front page, pages 2, 3)

Sava sale
"Who or what is York, the fund stirring controversy in Slovenian politics and economy": Finance looks at the background of the private equity fund that is selling a 43% in the tourism holding Sava. (front page, pages 10, 11)

FDI
"How many foreign investments are dangerous? None": Out of almost 200 foreign direct investments notified to the authorities under rules that came into effect in late May 2020, no security risks have been found and no FDI was banned. (front page, pages 4, 5)

VEČER

Janša-Orban meeting
"They would also want to cooperate after elections": Ahead of the April elections in Slovenia and Hungary, the countries' prime ministers, Janez Janša and Viktor Orban, met in Lendava to sign an agreement for the two governments to cooperate in development of areas populated by the respective minorities. (front page, pages 2, 3)

Ukraine crisis
"Russian shot in the Ukraine crisis": Russian President Vladimir Putin last night signed a decree recognising eastern Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions as independent entities. (front page, page 7)

Energy companies
"Hebar gets full term": The supervisory board of the power distributor Elektro Maribor has appointed acting CEO Jože Hebar for a full term. (front page, page 6)

Procedures over Covid rule violations
"The story of measures not over yet": Fines issued under Covid regulations are still being counted, courts are still processing appeals and the communicable diseases act has not been amended yet. (front page, page 5)