News roundup - Wednesday, 9 October, until 3pm

SDS MP Logar leaves party

LJUBLJANA - MP Anže Logar has left the Democratic Party (SDS) after media and politicians were speculating about this for some time. The SDS confirmed the news for the STA. It is not yet clear whether he will also leave the SDS deputy group. Logar, a long-time member of the SDS, was seen by some as a potential successor to Janez Janša at the helm of the party. However, in May last year he founded his own platform, which triggered speculation that he would eventually turn his Cooperation Platform into a party.

Committee okays expansion of new Koper-Divača rail to two tracks

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Infrastructure Committee unanimously endorsed changes to the legislation on a new railway track between the port of Koper and the inland hub Divača, allowing the project to go from single to double track. Construction is to start in 2026 and will increase the investment value by EUR 400 million to some EUR 1.5 billion.

IAEA boss says Slovenia should use nuclear experience in new reactor decision

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia can be proud of its nuclear programme and should use its experience in deciding about future use of nuclear power, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi said as he visited Ljubljana. Offering support, he underlined the importance of a broad discussion about a possible new reactor.

Petrol signs five-year power supply agreement with Axpo

LJUBLJANA - The energy group Petrol has signed an agreement to purchase renewable electricity from the Swiss electricity producer and trader Axpo, which will be used for supporting the group's core activities and the long-term supply to business customers in Slovenia, Petrol announced.

Measures promised to help underdeveloped border areas

LJUBLJANA - The economy and EU affairs committees held a joint session on Tuesday to debate a motion of the opposition Democrats (SDS) on helping the least developed border areas, with the relevant ministry announcing legislative changes that would address the issues related to unbalanced regional development.

Karpo Godina retrospective on show in Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The Kriterion cinema in Amsterdam will host a retrospective on Friday and Saturday to honour Slovenian director, cinematographer, editor and screenwriter Karpo Godina. Several feature-length films and shorts directed by Godina and a documentary on his life will be screened. Godina will attend all screenings and host Q&As afterwards.

Media: Man gets prison sentence for threatening to blow up a building

PTUJ - The Ptuj District Court has sentenced a 48-year-old to 22 months in prison for threatening to blow up a residential building with a butane cylinder in Ptuj in May. He confessed to the crime and expressed remorse, the newspapers Večer and Slovenske Novice reported.

One in five Slovenians use generative AI tools

LJUBLJANA - One in five Slovenians used generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot in the first quarter of 2024, shows data published by the Statistics Office. Personal use of internet is increasing and only 7% of Slovenians have never used the internet before.