News roundup - Saturday, 25 May

Pirc Musar says independence of the ICC crucial

LJUBLJANA - Following the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's decision to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders over suspected war crimes in Israel and Gaza, President Nataša Pirc Musar said the independence of the ICC was crucial. She said any attempts at putting pressure on the ICC and its prosecutor were unacceptable. This comes after ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced on Monday that his office was seeking arrest warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh.

Ship accused of carrying weapons to Israel leaves Slovenia

KOPER - The Borkum cargo ship, which has been accused of carrying weapons headed for Israel, left the port of Koper on Friday evening after causing tensions between authorities and NGOs, who demanded that the authorities check what the ship actually carries. Before entering the port, the Borkum's shipping permits were checked in line with the established procedure. The Infrastructure Ministry said the ship could not be denied entry because it met all the conditions.

Tadej Pogačar takes his sixth stage victory at Giro d'Italia

VICENZA, Italy - Slovenia's cycling star Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) won the penultimate, 20th stage of this year's Giro d'Italia on Saturday, his sixth stage victory at his first Giro. He has proven his supremacy again, crossing the finish line all alone after riding for 184 kilometres between Alpago to Bassano del Grappa. "We had the pink jersey from stage two, and today was another test before the summer to see how it is. I wanted to finish the Giro with a good mentality and in good shape. I think I achieved that," Pogačar said after the race.

Šarec stresses importance of joint allied fight against Fascism, Nazism

ŠOŠTANJ - Addressing a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the downing of allied aircraft in the Šoštanj area, Defence Minister Marjan Šarec stressed the importance of joint allied fight against Fascism and Nazism. Šarec, who laid wreaths to the monument in Šoštanj together with officials from the embassies of the UK and US before the ceremony, said that when remembering events that happened during the Second World War "we are always returning to the core, which is immense love to the homeland, endless courage and even sacrificing own life", the Defence Ministry said in a press release.

Poll: Voters to vote yes in all three referendums

LJUBLJANA - Voters will support all changes on which they will be asked to vote in the three consultative referendums on 9 June, according to a public opinion poll Mediana carried out for the private broadcaster POP TV. Just over 79% of those polled support introduction of a preference vote in general elections, while a good 10% oppose it. Support is lower for a potential introduction of assisted dying, with nearly 54% in favour and 23.5% against.