Daily headlines - Friday, 4 November

DELO

Cultural diplomacy
"Cultural diplomacy writes successful stories": Delo talks to several experts, including the head of the Slovenian culture centre in Berlin, to shed light on cultural diplomacy. (front page, page 16)

Diplomatic appointments
"Staffing merry-go-round": The Robert Golob government is about to make several diplomatic appointments as deadline expired in a Foreign Ministry's internal call to fill the posts of 16 heads of diplomatic and consular missions. As openings for several positions have not been included despite the incumbents' terms ending next year speculation has arisen some might be reserved for political staff. (front page, page 2)

Energy industry
"TEŠ suspension extended": The Šoštanj coal-fired thermal plant (TEŠ) will remain idle until mid-November, officials there expect, while the scheduled maintenance at the Krško nuclear power plant has been extended by about week. (front page, page 9)

European Women's Handball Championship
"Slovenia breathing with women handballers": The European Women's Handball Championship is starting in Ljubljana and Celje tonight. (front page, page 18)

DNEVNIK

Public procurement
"Going lax-way about millions' worth projects": Under law, public contracting authorities have an option rather than an obligation to prevent third-country companies from bidding in a public call to tender, which means awarding contracts worth millions of euros is subject to directors' whims. (front page, page 5)

Street lighting
"Dark roads during long winter nights": The national motorway company has already switched off or dimmed large part of lighting along motorways as some municipalities are considering doing the same to save on energy costs. However, this may affect road safety. (front page, page 3)

VEČER

European Women's Handball Championship
"Time to make it big": Slovenia is hosting the European Women's Handball Championship along with Montenegro and North Macedonia until 20 November. The home team will take on Denmark in Celje this evening. (front page, page 12)

Outgoing president
"Reactions to Pahor's return to SD": Borut Pahor's announcement that he is ready to return to Social Democrats as his term ends has sent shock waves through the party. (front page, page 2)

Change of ownership at Mercator owner
"Russians sell Fortenova to Arabs": Russia's Sberbank sold its 43% stake in Croatia's Fortenova, the owner of Slovenia's retailer Mercator, to Arab investor Saif Bin Markhan Alketbi. Sberbank and Alktebi say the financial transaction has been completed in line with international standards despite sanctions on Russia. (front page, page 5)

Pharmaceutical industry
"Lek's Lendava plant to stay": Asked about the future of active ingredients production at Lek's Lendava site given the planned separation of Sandoz from Novartis, Saša Sankovič, director of Antiinfektivi Lendava, says the company will continue to pursue its vision of becoming the best potassium clavulanate manufacturer. (front page, page 18)