News roundup - Saturday, 9 September

Policing along border area stepped up to tackle migrations

BREŽICE - Slovenian police have stepped up patrolling and surveillance along the border with Croatia to crack down on illegal migrations after locals around Brežice have started pleading with authorities to do something because they no longer feel safe due to a large number of migrants crossing there daily. Police will increase patrolling and provide safety, Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar said as he visited the area on Saturday to talk to locals and local officials. The police will provide security as needed, added Police Commissioner Senad Jušić.

On Rab, Pirc Musar says Fascist violence may not be forgotten

RAB, Croatia - President Nataša Pirc Musar said memory of historical facts and testimonies about the horrors of Fascism and Nazism may not be forgotten as she attended a ceremony on Rab island marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Italian concentration camp Kompor. Fascist ideology tried to dehumanise the internees. This is why the internees' struggle is such an important symbol of a broader battle against evil and an indicator of unity and peaceful coexistence among nations, she said.

Slovenia welcomes African Union joining G20

LJUBLJANA - The African Union's entry to the G20 group was welcomed by Slovenia with Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon describing it as a step towards a "more just global architecture" that Slovenia has always advocated. "Only together can we successfully address numerous common challenges - from food and energy security to the green transition," she said.

Silt major problem in flooded regions as riverbed clean-up continues

RAVNE NA KOROŠKEM - Silt deposited by torrential waters and material dug out during riverbed cleaning, some of which is potentially toxic, are proving to be a major problem in areas in Koroška that experienced the worst floods in early August. Speaking to local mayors, State Secretary Boštjan Šefic, the government's point man for the post-flood reconstruction, said the government's reconstruction task force was hard at work on the problem. Additional tests are now being conducted to inform future activities. The test results will be presented to the public shortly, probably next week.

Kosovo author Selmani recipient of Vilenica Crystal

ŠTANJEL - Kosovo author Shpetim Selmani is the winner of the Vilenica Crystal, an award the Vilenica International Literary Festival bestows on one of the authors featured in the festival's collection of poems or texts. The jury described his poems as "brutally honest" texts that humorously reflect on the social and political reality. Selmani uses irony and introspection to analyse historial events with "seeming ease," mindful never to slip into sentimentality.

Win over Italy enough for 7th place at World Cup

MANILA, The Philippines - Slovenia defeated Italy 89:85 at the FIBA Basketball World Cup to finish seventh overall at the tournament. This is as high as the team has ever climbed at the World Cup and the same result as in Spain in 2014. NBA star Luka Dončić was once again the top scorer with 29 points, which brings his average at this World Cup to 27, likely making him the best scorer of the tournament.