News roundup - Tuesday, 19 November

Zelenska visit marked by calls for continued assistance

LJUBLJANA - Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska wrapped up her tour of Slovenia by visiting the University of Ljubljana, the National and University Library, and ITF - Enhancing Human Security, an NGO specialised in international demining and psychosocial assistance. She presented Ukraine's humanitarian needs and highlighted reconstruction efforts, including of a hospital in Izyum, where Slovenia is also participating. Her lecture planned at the Faculty of Social Sciences was cancelled by the Ukrainian side for as yet unknown reasons, but it came after a minor incident, when an unknown man shouted that Russia will win the war in Ukraine.

Slovenia worried about escalation in Ukraine war

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia is worried about an escalation in the Ukraine war, Defence Minister Borut Sajovic said after Russia threatened to use nuclear weapons in response to the US's go-ahead for Ukraine to use its weapons in attacks on targets on Russian soil. Talking to the press on the sidelines of his first EU defence ministerial, Sajovic said that the US decision was "followed by a decision by the Russian side, as usual". He said Slovenia is worried about a potential escalation in fighting. "We understand the messages of both sides and, of course, Ukraine must have a chance to defend itself."

Committee wants Energy Agency to tweak new network charge system

LJUBLJANA - The Infrastructure Committee on Monday urged the Energy Agency to adjust the new system of electricity network charges for both businesses and households, introduced in October, amid discontent over the new system and the higher costs it entails in winter. The new system, which dropped the old scheme of peak and off-peak charges in favour of multiple time bands under which the charge fluctuates depending on time of day and season, was attacked heavily above all by businesses and the two opposition parties, which want it put on hold or repelled.

Higher Court upholds Veselinovič vs. Janša defamation ruling

LJUBLJANA - The Celje Higher Court has not granted opposition leader Janez Janša's appeal against a EUR 8,000 fine for calling STA director Bojan Veselinovič in 2021 an accomplice to the murderer of a journalist. Janša must pay the fine and the costs of appeal proceedings. The court said that not only the defendant's testimony but also all evidence undoubtedly showed that Janša's statement was false, and that he was well aware that the statement would hurt Veselinovič's reputation.

Slovenian consumers reach settlement with Volkswagen

LJUBLJANA - Financialright, a German company which filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen for falsifying emissions data on behalf of 6,500 Slovenian consumers, has reached a settlement with the German car giant, said the Slovenian Consumer Association, which organised the class action. No details about the actual amount of the settlement or how much individual claimants received has been disclosed, with the organisation saying it was not a party to it despite having helped the consumers organise.

Arčon pledges support for Slovenian community in Vienna

VIENNA, Austria - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon pledged further support for the Slovenian community and Slovenian language education as visited several Slovenian-run institutions in Vienna, including the Centre for National Communities (CAN), the Korotan student dormitory and hotel, which is owned by the state, and the Knafelj Institution, which is managed by the University of Ljubljana. The minister also met representatives of Slovenian associations and teachers.

New director of National and University Library appointed

LJUBLJANA - Culture Minister Asta Vrečko has named Jana Kolar as director of the National and University Library (NUK) for a five-year term effective on 1 December. Kolar is an executive director of CERIC-ERIC, European research infrastructure. She has previously led the strategic forum for research infrastructure ESFRI, worked as an advisor to the Austrian minister of science, and lead research on the preservation of cultural heritage at NUK.

Slovenian military emissions reporting highlighted as good practice at COP29 event

BAKU, Azerbaijan - The Slovenian Armed Forces were highlighted as an example of good practice in reporting on greenhouse gas emissions at an event on emissions in the defence sector at the COP29 in Baku. As head of the energy efficiency and green transition department at the Defence Ministry Colonel Robert Šipec said their activities include everything from renovating the barracks for better energy efficiency to setting up solar panels on the roofs of the buildings.

Poverty discussed in parliament but no resolutions adopted

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Committee on Labour, the Family and Social Affairs discussed on Monday the issue of poverty among low-income workers who often seek help from charities. While the opposition New Slovenia (NSi), which had requested the session, urged lowering taxes to fight poverty, coalition MPs believe this would not solve the problem.

Conference calls on businesses to use AI more

BRDO PRI KRANJU - Slovenian companies, especially SMEs, are lagging behind when it comes to introducing AI in their operations, heard the GoDigital 2024 conference. AI can help companies automate processes, personalise services and reduce costs, said the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) head Tibor Šimonka. A high level of digitalisation is necessary for AI to be used successfully, Šimonka said. AI can bring many advantages to companies, such as automation of processes, lower costs, personalised experiences for customers.

NGOs wants govt to ensure water access for all Roma villages

RIBNICA - Amnesty International Slovenia launched a petition calling on the government to ensure access to water to all Roma villages, about 20% of which do not have access to clean drinking water despite the country having enshrined the right to water in the constitution. "Water supply is in the purview of municipalities, but if they fail to do this for their residents, it is the state's duty to take action and ensure the right to water as enshrined in the constitution," the petition reads.

NGO critical of EU parliament's decision to water down anti-deforestation law

LJUBLJANA - Focus, a Slovenian environmental NGO, is disappointed with a decision by MEPs to postpone by a year the implementation of the EU deforestation regulation, which was adopted in April 2023. The MEPs also adopted some changes to the law, which Focus said seriously undermine the law's goals to protect forests. The NGO urged the government to reject the proposed changes and to only accept the one-year postponement.

Banks report 17.8% higher profit in Jan-Sept

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian banks recorded EUR 840.8 million in net profit in the first nine months of 2024, up 17.8% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report by the Bank of Slovenia. Profit before tax increased by 17.9% to EUR 965.5 million. Net interest revenue rose by 15.1% to EUR 1.18 billion, while non-interest revenue climbed by 39.7% to EUR 569.7 million.

UKC Ljubljana rolls out breakthrough treatment for arrhythmia

LJUBLJANA - UKC Ljubljana, Slovenia's largest hospital, has introduced a new breakthrough method of treating heart rhythm problems or arrhythmia using electroporation. The new procedure is a safer alternative for arrhythmia management because it reduces the likelihood of damage to the organs located around the heart, said Andrej Pernat, the head of the department's cardiac electrophysiology division. UKC Ljubljana is one of the first medical centres to have rolled out the new treatment in the broader region.

Rog Centre with 1,700 active members a year after opening

LJUBLJANA - A year after it opened, it is clear that the Rog Centre has filled a gap in the creativity field, its director Renata Zamida said as she presented the results so far. There are now some 1,700 people who regularly make different products by themselves using the centre's facilities or as part of its workshops. The centre has so far hosted 30 international artists under its residency programme and 55 creatives have been offered space in its project studios for one to three years.

Charges filed in Postojna manure spill incident

POSTOJNA - Koper criminal investigators have filed charges against three persons from the company managing the farm responsible for the manure spill that occurred in mid-February in the settlement of Studenec near Postojna, RTV Slovenija's news portal MMC reported. The three are accused of environmental pollution, and of endangering public safety, which carries a penalty of either a fine or up to two years' imprisonment, and up to one year in prison, respectively.

Pogačar says he will strive to get even stronger, mentions Vuelta

LJUBLJANA - Cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar looked back at a historic season and reflected on plans for the future as he spoke to the press after picking up his fifth consecutive award as the nation's best cyclist on Monday. Despite the dominant season, the world's no. 1 vowed to continue striving for improvement, while hinting at a possible Vuelta appearance.

Radovljica declared the most hospitable town in Slovenia

LAŠKO - Radovljica, a medieval town in northern Slovenia with views of the Karavanke mountain range and Julian Alps, has been declared the most hospitable town by the Tourist Association of Slovenia (TZS) as part of the Days of Slovenian Tourism that started in Laško on Monday. Ljubljana has won second place and Podčetrtek the third.