News roundup - Monday, 1 July, until 3pm

Sava Turizem posted record revenue in 2023

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest tourism company Sava Turizem generated a record EUR 119.9 million in revenue last year, up 12% over 2022. The growth in revenue was driven by the continued recovery in the sector, reflected in a 2% increase in overnight stays, as well as an increase in prices, the company said in its annual report.

Krka faces proceedings over alleged breach of antitrust law

BRUSSELS, Belgium/NOVO MESTO - Pharma company Krka will have to defend itself again at the General Court of the EU for alleged breaches of antitrust law in the 2014 perindopril case. Last week, the Court of Justice of the EU upheld the European Commission's appeal and returned the case to the General Court of the EU for reconsideration, Krka said on Monday.

NSi calls for joint committee meeting to address peer violence

LJUBLJANA - The opposition New Slovenia (NSi) has requested a joint emergency session of the parliamentary interior and education committees to discuss youth violence, NSi MP Aleksander Reberšek said on Monday. The NSi believes youth violence is not being addressed and prevented effectively and proposes changes to reduce such violence.

Latest strategy proposal for education boosts Slovenian language classes for immigrant children

LJUBLJANA - The Education Ministry unveiled the final proposal for the national education programme for 2023-2033, with the latest changes including the introduction of a dedicated Slovenian language teacher irrespective of how many immigrant children enrol in a school. Presently, schools with up to eight newly enrolled immigrant children cover starting Slovenian language classes with additional hours for existing teachers who primarily give other classes.

NGOs present initiative to improve Slovenian courses for immigrants

LJUBLJANA - Representatives of several NGOs presented an initiative and petition to improve integration procedures, especially Slovenian language courses for immigrants. The NGOs believe systemic change is needed to improve integration. According to NGOs Adra Slovenija, Intercultural Dialogue and KD Gmajna, nearly 250,000 migrants from 176 countries and many different language and cultural backgrounds had a permanent or temporary permit to reside in Slovenia last year.

Number of illegal migrants up 11% in Jan-May period

LJUBLJANA - The police intercepted 17,439 illegal migrants in the first five months of 2024, an 11% increase on the same period last year. The number of Syrian migrants went up from some 500 to more than 6,000, accounting for roughly one-third of the total number of cases. In addition to Syrians, other major groups of illegal migrants included Afghan and Moroccan citizens, their numbers standing at 2,356 and 1,590, respectively.

Former consul general Jože Šušmelj dies

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian diplomat Jože Šušmelj, who also served as Yugoslav and later Slovenian consul general in Trieste, has died at the age of 85, Primorski Dnevnik reports. Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed his condolences on X and stressed Šušmelj's role in cross-border cooperation and efforts for the Slovenian minority in Italy.

Famous rapper accused of harassing minors

LJUBLJANA - A famous Slovenian rapper is suspected of sexually harassing minors, with at least one woman stepping forward with accusations in recent days after the charge was first levelled by a rival rapper. The accusation first came to light when the rapper Zlatko, the stage name of Zlatan Čordić, published a song last Thursday accusing Challe Salle, the stage name of 33-year-old Saša Petrovič, of having been violent against his partner and harassing minors.

Agricultural Institute launches first living lab

LJUBLJANA - The Agricultural Institute of Slovenia has founded its first living lab, an open innovation ecosystem in a real-life environment that aims to create a sustainable impact. The lab's main focus will be on organic and local species of buckwheat, wheat, potato and beans. It will serve as a connection between different participants, including researchers and companies in the agri-food sector, with its main purpose being sustainability and social integration.

Janja Garnbret wins lead event in Innsbruck

INNSBRUCK, Austria - Slovenia's Olympic champion Janja Garnbret won the women's lead event at an IFSC climbing World Cup competition in Innsbruck on Sunday. This is her second victory in the past few days since she already took first place in the recent bouldering event in the Austrian city