News roundup - Friday, 14 June, until 3pm
Ljubljana, 14 June - Below is a roundup of major events on Friday, 14 June, until 3pm local time:
Govt reportedly appoints ambassadors to Algeria, Ethiopia and Russia
LJUBLJANA - The government appointed on Thursday several new heads of embassies and consulates, the N1 news portal reported on Friday, citing unofficial sources. Urška Kramberger Mendek is to become Slovenia's ambassador at the consulate in Klagenfurt.
Discovery by Slovenian researchers has potential for advancing quantum communication systems
LJUBLJANA - Scientists from Slovenia's Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and the German Max Planck Institute have made a breakthrough in the field of quantum light in liquid crystals, such as the ones in TV screens. This will allow for the development of more effective quantum communication systems, the researchers said.
Govt allocates EUR 5.5 m for cultural infrastructure
LJUBLJANA - The government approved on Thursday EUR 3 million for renovation works on the SNG Maribor and EUR 2 million for the second phase of the construction of an auditorium at the SNG Nova Gorica theatre. It allocated EUR 500,000 to the Slovenian Film Centre for film production.
Two Slovenian film critics named voting members for Golden Globe Awards
LOS ANGELES, US/LJUBLJANA - Simon Popek, the long-serving programme manager of the Ljubljana International Film Festival, and Matic Majcen, a seasoned film critic presently working for the paper Večer, have become the first Slovenians to be selected as voting members for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.
Football Association head expects record number of Slovenian fans in Germany
BRDO PRI KRANJU - The president of the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS), Radenko Mijatović, expects that Euro 2024 will be organised extremely well and see a record number of Slovenian fans. "I expect the record from Amsterdam to fall," he told the STA, referring to the 2000 Euro group encounter with Spain that featured almost 10,000 Slovenians in the stands.
Soča water level and fish population declining
TOLMIN/NOVA GORICA - The Soča river is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe and despite good water quality, environmentalists are concerned about possible unforeseen industrial incidents, while fishermen are observing a decline in fish numbers due to receding water levels. According to the Environment Agency, water quality in both rivers is good, but the biotic situation has deteriorated, especially in terms of fish.
Idrija Lace Festival kicks off
IDRIJA - The 42nd Idrija Lace Festival will open in the evening, featuring a bobbin lace competition, exhibitions, craft fair, concerts and workshops across the three festival days. This year's slogan Pop-Up Lace hopes to bring bobbin lace closer to the youth.