News roundup - Thursday, 23 January, until 3pm

Ljubljana, 23 January - Below is a roundup of major events on Thursday, 23 January, until 3pm local time:

Friday declared national day of mourning for Velenje miners

LJUBLJANA - The government has declared Friday national day of mourning for the three miners who lost their lives in Monday's inrush of water and clay at the Velenje coal mine. The decision was made in a correspondence session late on Wednesday on the proposal of PM Robert Golob. Event organisers were urged to adapt the content to reflect the day of mourning, while flags at all state institutions will be at half-mast.

Minister Sajovic says fragile security requires more resources

LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Borut Sajovic says that NATO's push to increase defence spending has not led to any direct demands on Slovenia. "There are no pressures, but there is a clear awareness, which I share, that more security requires more resources," he said in an interview with the STA. He described the war in Ukraine as "a positional stalemate", adding "it really would be time to stop counting the dead and wounded in the thousands and to reach a just peace, which of course cannot come at the expense of the weaker, attacked country".

Energy Agency regrets bill to temporarily reduce network charge

LJUBLJANA - The Energy Agency expressed regret about a bill to lower the electricity network charge for households in January and February tabled by coalition deputy groups. It said the it contravenes EU law and is unfounded while selectively privileging certain groups of consumers. Director Duška Godina told the STA that the bill completely neutralises a key aspect of the methodology, which is designed to ensure the development of the electricity network.

Anti-graft watchdog detects corruption risks in court building purchase

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption has not found any breaches of integrity legislation in its investigation into the controversial December 2023 purchase of a building in Litijska Road in Ljubljana that was meant to house several courts. However, it has detected a number of corruption risks while also saying the purchase by the Justice Ministry was opaque and uneconomical. It also made several recommendations to the government, including to ensure transparency and consistent recording of documentation, while it should also adopt an integrity plan.

Most of TEŠ electricity purchased by Dutch company

LJUBLJANA - Vitol Gas and Power, a Switzerland-based Dutch company, has purchased most of the electricity offered at a public auction for power to be produced by the TEŠ thermal power station in Šoštanj from 1 February to 31 December. The prices achieved at the auction were from EUR 100 to 110 per MWh. Slovenia's electricity exchange Borzen conducted the auction on 9 January in line with an emergency law on TEŠ's phase-out under which the power station primarily provides district heating for the Šalek Valley, while its electricity output is restricted. Two Slovenian companies, GEN-I and HSE, also took part in the action.

RTV Slovenija adopts programme and business plan

LJUBLJANA - The counicl of RTV Slovenija unanimously approved on Wednesday the public broadcaster's programme and business plan for 2025. Several council members described it as the most ambitious and well-rounded plan in recent years. The approved budget amounts to EUR 154 million, up EUR 9 million from 2024, of which EUR 108 million will come from the licence fee. Salaries will take up EUR 96.9 million of the budget, up EUR 5.4 million. The plan includes notable programming developments across multiple platforms.

Slovenian minority in Croatia launches business association

ZAGREB, Croatia - The Union of Slovenian Associations in Croatia has established a business organisation. Rast (Growth) is based in Varaždin and will focus on implementing projects and distributing financial support, so as to assist members of the Slovenian community and promote its development, the union's head Barbara Antolić Vupora told the STA. The decision to establish a dedicated business organisation stems from a desire to support the Slovenian ethnic minority in Croatia in a manner similar to efforts seen in Italy, Austria and Hungary, she explained.

Katanec likely retiring as football coach

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian football legend Srečko Katanec, 61, has resigned as manager of Uzbekistan's national team due to health concerns and is likely retiring from coaching in general. He missed a training camp in Qatar and mutually agreed to terminate his contract, stating he could no longer fulfil his duties. Katanec, a former Yugoslav international and two-time Slovenia manager, hinted at retiring from coaching altogether in Tuesday's interview with Sportklub. "As far as my coaching career goes, I've finished. This was my decision ... I've spent my whole life taking care of others, giving myself away," he said. Foreign media have reported he has cancer.

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