News roundup - Thursday, 22 August, until 3pm

Merger of NKBM and SKB formally completed

LJUBLJANA - The merger of Slovenia's second and third largest banks, NKBM and SKB, has been formally completed. The bank, which will be renamed OTP Banka shortly, will be the second largest player on the banking market, close behind NLB. The formal merger was completed when SKB ceased to exist as an independent entity and was merged into NKBM. The bank will be headquartered in Ljubljana. In operational terms - IT support, client support and the numbering and branding of bank accounts - the merger will be completed by 2 September.

Slovenia joins supporters of UN's New Agenda for Peace

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia, Switzerland and Sierra Leone have launched a joint initiative in support of the New Agenda for Peace, a policy brief of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which focuses on the prevention of armed conflicts. They expressed their concern over the rise of armed conflicts and pledged efforts for proactive and comprehensive prevention. The countries pledged to help build local and global capacities for peace by promoting economic growth, eradicating poverty, supporting sustainable development, promoting national reconciliation, good governance and democracy, and supporting human rights.

Watchdog resumes inquiry against PM Golob

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption said it had decided to resume an inquiry against Prime Minister Robert Golob over suspected meddling in police work, which was suspended in January in the interest of a pre-trial procedure. "The grounds for suspension are no longer there," the watchdog said after receiving notification from the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office to that effect. The inquiry relates to accusations by Tatjana Bobnar, the first interior minister in Golob's government, that the prime minister had tried to pressure her regarding the appointment of senior police officers.

Average net wage up 0.6% in real terms in June

LJUBLJANA - The average wage in Slovenia in June amounted to EUR 2,366.79 gross or 1,501.97 net, which is slightly more than in May - 1% in nominal and 0.6% in real terms, the Statistics Office reported. Year-on-year, the average gross wage in June was up by 5.2%, and the average net wage by 2.6%. In June, the average wage in the public sector (EUR 2,701.33) was higher than in the private sector (EUR 2,214.91 gross).

Insurer Triglav's net profit up seven-fold in H1

LJUBLJANA - Zavarovalnica Triglav, Slovenia's largest insurer, saw net profit grow by 659% in January-June, to EUR 75.4 million, even as total business volume and gross written premium declined year-on-year, shows an earnings report. Total business volume was down by 2% to EUR 943 million, whereas gross written premiums dropped by 3% to EUR 868 million. However, when factoring in the effect of the shortfall in national voluntary health insurance, which was abolished at the end of last year, it recorded a 9% growth in total business volume.

Italian drug trafficking ring leader on the run arrested in Slovenia

KOPER - Koper police, in collaboration with Italian authorities and the European judicial agency Eurojust, have arrested the leader of an Italian crime syndicate hiding in Slovenia. The 40-year-old Calabria-born head of a ring that trafficked cocaine throughout Italy was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence. Aside from drug trafficking, he has been found guilty robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons.

Slovenia's Černivec appointed VP of new WNBA team from Oakland

OAKLAND, US - Slovenian basketball executive Vanja Černivec has been appointed the vice president of basketball operations of the newly-established WNBA team Golden State Valkyries, based in Oakland. This is a third prominent managerial post in basketball for the 42-year-old former player from Maribor. The Golden State Valkyries are scheduled to begin play in 2025 as a member of the WNBA.

Lobbyist association calls for legislation overhaul

LJUBLJANA - The Association for Lawful Lobbying believes a report by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption shows that legislative changes are overdue. The statement comes after the corruption watchdog recently said that lobbying regulations were inadequate and that 98% of lobbying activities were performed by people who are not registered lobbyists.

Bohinj wildfire put out

BOHINJ - A wildfire that broke out in very steep terrain west of Lake Bohin in the Triglav National Park was put out on Wednesday afternoon. The fire had spread across only 100 square metres, but posed a significant threat of spreading under ground along the craggy terrain. A helicopter and Slovenia's two Air Tractor fire fighting aircraft were a part of the effort.