News roundup - Tuesday, 13 August

Industrial output down in H1

LJUBLJANA - Industrial output in Slovenia was down 2.9% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period a year ago. Total turnover in industry was down by 1%, while the total value of stock was up by 1.4%, the Statistics Office said. Industrial output was down by 24.1% in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply and by 0.2% in manufacturing, while in mining and quarrying it was up by 14.3%.

Profit of banks up 6% in first half of the year

LJUBLJANA - Banks in Slovenia generated EUR 496.2 million in net profit in the first half of 2024, a 6.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Their pre-tax profits rose by 6.8%, reaching EUR 569.4 million. While net interest income continued to grow, non-interest income declined. Additionally, there was a continued increase in the formation of net impairments and provisions.

New British ambassador to focus on defence, W Balkans

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar received credentials from UK's new ambassador Victoria Jane Harrison. She told the press she wanted to focus on cooperation in defence and security, and the Western Balkans. Germany's new Ambassador Sylvia Ursula Katja Groneick also presented her credentials today alongside Burundi's Ernest Ndabashinze and Turkmenistan's Esen Muhammedowic Aydogdyew.

New German ambassador wants to strengthen cooperation with Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - New German Ambassador Sylvia Ursula Katja Groneick presented her credentials to President Nataša Pirc Musar, saying she would strive to strengthen cooperation between Slovenia and Germany in climate change mitigation, EU enlargement and cultural exchange.

Govt, parliament unlawfully dismissed SSH supervisor Cizelj

LJUBLJANA - A court has found nuclear physicist Leon Cizelj's dismissal as supervisor of Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) was unlawful, the newspaper Delo said. He was fired by parliament in June 2022 based on a proposal of the government soon after it came to power. The government argued he did not meet the job criteria. The state cannot appeal the ruling, according to Delo. Cizelj will seek damages from the state but he and his lawyer Franci Matoz are yet to decide how much he will claim.

Footwear maker Alpina cutting workforce, moving part of production

ŽIRI - Alpina, the Slovenian-based sports footwear maker in Czech ownership, plans to lay off 60 out of its 230 employees at its main location in Žiri by the end of the year, the decision coming after one of its two production units in Bosnia-Herzegovina was shut down at the end of July. The group employs nearly 1,000 people and will move part of production to the remaining plant in Bosnia.

Monday was likely hottest day of this summer, heat to persist

LJUBLJANA - Record high temperatures this year were recorded around Slovenia on Monday, which the Environment Agency (ARSO) says was probably the hottest day of this summer. As the heat persists and temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius even during the night, many people with chronic diseases seek medical assistance. The heat wave will persist at least until Sunday.

Report: Ten persons indicted in major prostitution case

LJUBLJANA - The Specialised State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment with the Ljubljana District Court at the end of May against ten people accused of abuse of prostitution, the newspaper Večer reported. The indictment became final on 9 July, but the date of a pre-trial hearing has not yet been set. The accused are alleged to have forced 46 women and at least one man into prostitution.

Slovenia fielding 14 athletes at Summer Paralympics

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will field 14 athletes in four disciplines at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, which will take place from 28 August to 8 September, the Slovenian Paralympic Committee (PZS) announced. The Slovenian national team, headed by PZS president Boro Štrumbelj, features the women's sitting volleyball team, archers Živa Lavrinc and Dejan Fabčič, discus thrower Henrik Plank and shooter Franček Gorazd Tiršek, among others.

Large crowd welcomes Slovenian Olympians home

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian athletes who took part in the Paris Olympics were welcomed home at an event in Ljubljana's Congress Square on Monday evening which drew in a huge crowd. They thanked their fans for all the support, with the three Olympic medallists and the national men's handball team being in the spotlight. The latter missed out on the podium in the bronze medal match.

Slovenian-British climbing duo conquers Gasherbrum III

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian-British climbing duo of Aleš Česen and Tom Livingstone has successfully conquered the 7,952-metre peak of Gasherbrum III in the Karakoram range, two years after their initial attempt was thwarted by inclement weather, the Alpine Association of Slovenia confirmed. On 6 August, they reached the summit and have safely descended to base camp.