News roundup - Sunday, 3 September

President calls for sustainable construction, spatial planning

ILIRSKA BISTRICA - President Nataša Pirc Musar visited Koseze, a village in southwestern Slovenia hit by a tornado on 1 August, to inspect the repair work. She noted the importance of solidarity and selfless mutual aid, which is something that has marked the nation-wide effort to eliminate the consequences of the recent natural disasters in the country. The president said the key would be to find a different, sustainable manner of construction and spatial planning in the future, which would provide greater protection from extreme weather events and the consequences of climate change.

Pohorje locals gather to express strong opposition to wind farms

TINJE - Some hundred locals from the village of Tinje gathered to express opposition to the plans to build three separate wind farms in the hilly area of Pohorje in northeastern Slovenia, one of them affecting their local community. They called on the municipality of Slovenska Bistrica and the local community council not to give consent to the siting and construction of 21 wind turbines in the Trije Kralji location. The company Energija na Veter, indirectly owned by the Swiss Woc Group, plans to build 56 wind turbines in Pohorje - also 14 turbines in Frajhajm and 21 turbines in Kot.

Slovenia suffer first loss at FIBA World Cup at hands of Germany

OKINAWA, Japan - The Slovenian men's basketball team suffered its first defeat at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, conceding to Germany 71:100 to close the second round of play, after having already secured a berth in the quarter-finals two days ago. Slovenia were not so fired up against Germany today as they were against Australia on Friday, performing well only in the fist quarter (25:11). The team was led by NBA superstar Luka Dončić, who scored 23 points but struggled against the tough German defence. Slovenia continues the tournament with Wednesday's quarter-finals against Canada in Manila, the Philippines.

Koper welcomes one of largest ships so far in Norwegian Viva

KOPER - Norwegian Viva, a 299-metre cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line, arrived in Koper as one of the largest vessels ever to visit Slovenia's sole maritime port. With the gross tonnage of 143,500 tonnes, it can accommodate 3,100 passengers, says the local online newsletter E-Koper. Norwegian Viva was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, near Venice, and she had her maiden voyage on 10 August. She is the second out of the planned six Project Leonardo-class ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. The passenger terminal is Koper is awaiting six more arrivals this month.