News roundup - Friday, 2 August

Slovenia's exports up by 7% in first six months, imports by 13.8%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia exported EUR 30.3 billion worth of goods in the first half of 2024, a 7% increase year-on-year, while imports were up 13.8% to EUR 32.8 billion. In June alone, exports decreased by 7.6% to EUR 4.8 billion and imports were up 17.2% to EUR 5.5 billion. The foreign trade deficit in goods thus stood at EUR 2.5 billion in the first six months, show data released by the Statistics Office. Slovenia's most important export markets in the first half of the year were Switzerland, Germany, Croatia, Italy and Austria, while the main import markets were Switzerland, China, Germany, Italy and India.

Officials say determined post-flood reconstruction efforts to continue

LJUBNO OB SAVINJI/ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM/LUČE/LJUBLJANA - Officials in charge of reconstruction following the devastating August 2023 floods took stock in recent days of the progress made in the first year and reflected on the way forward. The focus will lie on protective measures against future floods and the completion of red-tape heavy housing replacement and financial compensation programmes. During today's visit to some of the worst hit areas, Boštjan Šefic, the head of the government's reconstruction office, presented the latest developments in procedures involving buildings that have been slated for demolition due to no longer being safe.

PM says Slovenia taking part in prisoner swap historic feat

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Robert Golob assessed that by participating in a major East-West prisoner swap on Thursday, Slovenia has achieved a historic feat. "I believed from the first day that we could achieve this feat. The last time I spoke with the US president was yesterday, when he thanked me and the Slovenian nation for this crucial contribution to the rescue of innocent people," Golob told the press. Vojko Volk, a state secretary in his office, added that by including two Russian spies in the deal, Slovenia has gained respect and trust from other security services.

Slovenia hosts sustainability debate in Paris, signs UN initiative

PARIS, France - The Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) hosted a round table on sustainability in sports at the Slovenia House, where attendees stressed the important role of athletes as ambassadors of sustainability. It included Deputy Paris Mayor Dan Lert, former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović and former European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik. After the debate the OKS president Franjo Bobinac signed the UN Sports for Climate Action initiative, which encourages the sport sector to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Slovenian men's handball team make it to quarter-finals

PARIS, France - The Slovenian men's handball team earned a hard-fought win against Japan 29:28 (15:15) in the fourth round of the preliminary stage of the Olympic tournament to earn a berth in the quarter-finals. The feisty Japanese caused trouble for Slovenians, but in the end the Slovenian team prevailed and earned the qualification for the knock-out round on 7 August in Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille. Aleks Vlah was saved the day as he was by far the "hottest" Slovenian, scoring 14 goals, which is ten more than the second-best scorer Dean Bombač.

Slovenia beat France in five-set volleyball thriller in Paris

PARIS, France - The Slovenian men's volleyball team beat the hosts France in the last match of the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament in a five-set thriller. Slovenia took a 2:0 lead and was then forced to play the decisive fifth set by the defending Olympic champions. It was the third win for Slovenia in as many matches in their the debut Olympic appearance, after the team had already secured a berth in the quarter-finals, to be played on 5 August, with Tuesday's victory against Serbia.

Women's handball team defeated by Norway but not yet eliminated

PARIS, France - Slovenia's women's handball team was beaten by Norway 29:22 (15:10) on Thursday to suffer its third defeat in four games at the Paris Olympics. Slovenia, who offered reasonable resistance to save face after a 41:22 loss to Germany, still have a chance of making it into the quarter-finals. In their final game of preliminary play in Group A, Slovenia will face Denmark, which is undefeated in the group along with Norway and Sweden.

Maribor and Olimpija advance in Conference League qualifiers

CRAIOVA, Romania/KRAKOW, Poland - The football clubs Olimpija and Maribor made it to the third round of qualifiers for the UEFA Conference League on Thursday. Olimpija won 2:1 against Ukraine's Polissya Zhytomyr in the return leg of the second round, while Maribor advanced despite a 2:3 defeat against Universitatea Craiova because of a favourable goal difference. Their next matches will be played on 8 August.

There is a new lioness in town

LJUBLJANA - One of the main attractions of Ljubljana Zoo, lioness Čaja, has made a new friend after the death of her companion Maksimus, who had to be euthanised in March at the age of 15 due to deteriorating health. Lioness Živana joined her in mid-July and the two seem to be getting along nicely. After her arrival Živana had to get acclimatised first and gradually get to know Čaja better. The adjustment period seems to be going well, as the two headed to the outdoor enclosure together for the first time on Monday.

Olympic judo champion Leški welcomed home

BRNIK - Olympic judo champion Andreja Leški, who won Slovenia's first medal and so far the only medal at the Paris Olympics, returned to Slovenia on Friday. She was welcomed at Ljubljana Airport by her family, friends and hundreds of sports fans. "This is incredible. I expected a reception but they prepared many other surprises too," said Leški, who won the gold medal in the women's 63kg category. She was welcomed by Slovenian sport climbing star Janja Garnbret, who left for Paris today.