News roundup - Monday, 20 May, until 3pm

Efforts for peace and unity at forefront of Freedom's EU platform

LJUBLJANA - The Freedom Movement's EU election platform is based on efforts to address issues that people value the most, including peace, a healthy environment and unity, the ruling party's lead candidate and current MEP Irena Joveva (Svoboda/Renew) said as she presented the platform. She called for unity in condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.

Lenarčič draws criticism over EU support in Iran rescue operation

BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič has been a target of criticism over the bloc's decision to provide assistance to Iran's rescue effort triggered by a helicopter crash that killed the country's president, and his EUSolidarity hashtag use. The Slovenian defended the move, saying it was not an act of political support.

Europol chief notes corrosive impact of organised crime on rule of law

LJUBLJANA - Europol's Executive Director Catherine De Bolle urged in an interview with the STA international cooperation between law enforcement agencies, bolstered by Europol's support. She warned criminal groups are trying to gain power by channelling illegally obtained funds into legal businesses and through corruption, thereby undermining the rule of law.

Raisi's death will not change things in Iran, region, researcher says

LJUBLJANA - The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi could create a vacuum in Iranian politics, but his successor will most likely not change things in Iran and the region, researcher Faris Kočan from the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana told the STA. He expects a period of recrimination, muscle flexing and tensions in relations with the US.

Meat group Celjske Mesnine sold to Croatian company

CELJE - Celjske Mesnine, a Slovenian meat processing company, has been sold to the Croatian company Mesna Industrija Braća Pivac. The contract has already been signed, but will take effect when all approvals have been obtained, Celjske Mesnine said. The new strategic owner is taking over the group's main production and processing company Celjske Mesnine Z'dežele; prosciutto company Pršutarna S' Krasa; and Celjske Mesnine - Storitve, which employs disabled persons.

Fuel prices down on Tuesday

LJUBLJANA - The price of regular petrol sold outside the Slovenian motorway network will drop by 4.6 cents to EUR 1.495 a litre on Tuesday, while diesel and heating oil will be 2.2 and 2.4 cents cheaper at EUR 1.462 and EUR 1.103, respectively. The new prices will be in force until 3 June, the Environment, Climate and Energy Ministry said.

IPA urges govt to heed to publishers funding calls

GENEVA, Switzerland - The International Publishers Association (IPA), the world's largest organisation of publishers, has urged the Slovenian government to heed the publishers' call to provide enough funds for non-commercial book programme and address their selection criteria grievances. The appeal comes after publishers started complaining in April that under the decisions issued by the Slovenian Book Agency that they will get less subsidies this year.

Charity worker Anita Ogulin honoured with another state decoration

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar conferred the Golden Order of Merit on Anita Ogulin to express gratitude for her lifetime efforts dedicated to voluntary service and aid to people in need, with which she has left an indelible mark on Slovenian society. This is Ogulin's second state decoration conferred by the country's presidents.