News roundup - Saturday, 23 September

Slovenian officials express condolences after Napolitano's death

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar, expressed her condolences to Italy after the death of former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. "On behalf of the Republic of Slovenia, I express my condolences and deepest sympathies to President Sergio Mattarella and the people of Italy following the death of the Former President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano," the president wrote on X. Former President Borut Pahor thanked him for his efforts to foster good relations between Slovenia and Italy.

Slovenian start-up develops process for electric batteries' reuse

NOVO MESTO - The Novo Mesto-based start-up Reusable Technologies has developed a procedure enabling recycling and reuse of lithium-ion batteries or electronic components. Battery cells, and thus battery packs, can be reused up to 92% after the first use. The process is to be used on an industrial scale. CEO and co-founder of Reusable Technologies Tomaž Kren told the STA could set a standard for the entire EU and wider.

Journalist association critical of developments at RTV Slovenija

LJUBLJANA - The Association of Journalists and Commentators (ZNP), the smaller of the two Slovenian associations of journalists, expressed criticism on Saturday of the situation at the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija after the change in leadership. It said the many staffing changes and cancelling of shows were "a frontal assault on democracy". After the changes to the RTV Slovenija law were implemented, a new management was appointed and some editors were replaced. This comes after the previous RTV Slovenija management also replaced a number of staff, with critics saying that the hiring decision were not based on professional standards.

European Capitals of Culture 2025 would like to cooperate in the future as well

NOVA GORICA - The mayors of the European Capitals of Culture 2025 - Nova Gorica, Italy's Gorizia, and Germany's Chemnitz, Samo Turel, Rodolfo Ziberna and Dagmar Ruscheinsky, respectively, signed in Nova Gorica on Saturday an agreement on cooperation. The signatories would like their cooperation to cooperate beyond 2025. The agreement aims to promote close friendship between the cities and their inhabitants, and stress the importance of cooperation in culture, creativity and the arts. The signatories hope that international cooperation in culture will strengthen the friendship and understanding between the citizens and promote the development of culture.

Strong interest in wage reimbursement for post-flood cleaning

LJUBLJANA - A total of 289 employers have applied for reimbursement of wages paid to 7,036 employees who were ordered to do other work than their own after the early August floods, such as cleaning production facilities, the Employment Service told the STA after the deadline to apply expired on Monday. The reimbursement of wages paid to workers who have had to deal with the consequences of floods and landslides at their employer's premises is one of the measures from the emergency law adopted on 31 August.

Slovenian employers will intensively search for workers in Bosnia next week

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Employment Service in cooperation with the Slovenian Embassy in Sarajevo will organise four events in Bosnia-Herzegovina next week, where Slovenian employers will have the opportunity to connect with local jobseekers. Staff is also need to help with the damage caused by the recent floods and landslides. The events presenting the needs of Slovenian employers and offer information on the life and work in Slovenia will be held between Monday and Thursday in Sarajevo, Zenica, Banja Luka and Tuzla.