News roundup - Sunday, 5 May

Fajon reaffirms Slovenia position on Palestine recognition during visit to the region

JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH, Israel - Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon visited Israel and the West Bank for a second time since the start of the Israeli-Hamas war, stating that the recognition of a Palestinian state was no longer an issue for Slovenia. Meeting with her Israeli counterpart Israel Katz, Fajon called on Israel to abandon its plan to attack Rafah. She also called for progress in talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the release of hostages still held by Hamas. "If there is no ceasefire, and no serious efforts for a lasting peace, the time for recognition of Palestine is approaching fast," Fajon said. The meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Ramallah discussed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and a peace conference that would guarantee peace to the Palestinians and Israelis, as well as ways to empower and reform the Palestinian authorities.

Pogačar wins stage 2 to take lead of the Giro

BIELLA, Italy - Tadej Pogačar won Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia to claim the leader's pink jersey despite suffering a puncture before heading into the final climb to the Sanctuary of Oropa in Italy's Piedmont region. The 25-year-old UAE Team Emirates rider is the third Slovenian after Primož Roglič and Matej Mohorič to win stage victories in each of the three Grand Tours. He now has 15 stage wins at the prestigious three-week races and a total of 71 career victories under his belt.

Tanker lorry accident causes long tailbacks on A1 motorway

LJUBLJANA - Long tailbacks were reported on the A1 motorway heading into Ljubljana from the direction of Koper for the greater part of the day following an accident in the morning in which the Bosnian driver of a tanker lorry was killed. The lorry swerved into the roadside ditch near Brezovica before landing on its roof, trapping the driver inside. The driver, identified as a 33-year-old citizen of Bosnia-Herzegovina temporarily residing in Slovenia, died of his injuries at the scene, the Ljubljana Police Department said. The fuel did not leak from the tank but had to be pumped out before the lorry was towed away.