Daily headlines - Wednesday, 23 August

DELO

Flood relief
"Government expects tangible measures from banks": Prime Minister Robert Golob has given bankers 48 hours to come up with measures to help the people affected by the severe floods. A new systemic law is also expected to be discussed by the government this week. (front page, 3)

Fukushima power plant
"Contaminated water going into ocean every day": Despite the opposition from the neighbouring countries, Japan will on Thursday start releasing the processed radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was hit by a tsunami in 2011. (front page, 5)

Fire in Greece
"Those killed in fire are probably migrants": Bodies of 18 people were found near the Greek town of Alexandroupoli, close to the border with Turkey. Since no one of the locals were reported as missing, the authorities assume that the victims killed by a wildfire are illegal migrants. (front page)

DNEVNIK

Possible pollution of Ljubljana Marshes
"Polluted water in Marshes of unclear origin": Researchers have warned that a major quantity of water of unusual colour and smell is present in the Ljubljana Marshes landscape park. While some suspect that the water was contaminated by sludge from waste water treatment plants, locals say that this is a natural phenomenon after floods. (front page, 8)

Covid-19
"Summer wave of coronavirus or Barbenheimer phenomenon": The World Health Organisation has warned about an increasing number of coronavirus cases. An epidemiologist has assessed that this is possibly a summer wave, while not dismissing the impact of the so-called Barbenheimer phenomenon, with the blockbuster films Barbie and Oppenheimer attracting a large number of people to theatres at the same time. (front page, 3)

FINANCE

Interest rates
"Banks are stingy with deposits, what about loans?": While banks are in no hurry to raise interest rates for deposits, they are rushing to increase interest rates for housing loans. The difference in Slovenia is the largest in Europe. (front page, 2-3)

Energy
"Gas will be cheaper for Slovenian consumers in next heating season": As the prices on energy exchanges continue to drop, it is expected that retail prices will be adjusted to wholesale prices in the next heating season, the company Energetika Ljubljana has told the paper. (front page, 6)

Healthcare
"Doctors have up to 61 days of annual leave; a quarter of them was absent in mid-summer": Fewer doctors means fewer examinations and treatments in the healthcare system, but hospitals and community health centres say that they will catch up in the autumn and that waiting times are not being extended due to summer holidays. (front page, 4-5)

VEČER

Flood damage
"Production still suspended": Some companies that have been affected by the recent floods are facing a struggle for survival if the state does not jump in to help. The government would like to get money also from banks, which are expected to come up with measures to help the affected people. (front page, 2-3)

Post-flood reconstruction
"Political summer: reforms after natural disaster": As post-flood reconstruction of the country will be the first priority of the Robert Golob government, the paper wonders what this means for the reforms that had been announced before the floods. (front page, 4)

World Athletics Championships
"Čeh adds silver to gold": While Kristjan Čeh failed to defend his gold medal in the men's discus throw from Eugene, US, in 2022, he again made the Slovenian fans happy by winning the silver medal at the world championships in Budapest on Monday. (front page, 11)