News roundup - Tuesday, 11 February

US import tariffs bad news for Slovenian companies

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian steel and aluminium producers agree that the US's plan to impose a 25% tax on steel and aluminium imports next month, including on imports from the EU, is bad news. What they fear most is even greater pressure from the competition. Slovenian exports of steel products to the US reached over EUR 91.3 million in 2024 and those of aluminium and aluminium products EUR 32.5 million, show preliminary statistics. Both figures increased significantly from 2023, when exports of steel products reached EUR 71.6 million and those of aluminium and aluminium products EUR 19.5 million.

Slovenia recovers to pre-Covid levels on Corruption Perceptions Index

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has achieved a score of 60 out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, improving by four points to regain the level seen in 2018-2020. Slovenia ranks 36th among 180 countries, after it placed 42nd last year. Transparency International (TI) Slovenia welcomed the progress, particularly given last year's historic low. The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) also welcomed the progress, but called for the adoption of the updated Resolution on the Prevention of Corruption and for the furthering of systemic measures.

Survey suggests almost 60% of employers intend to raise wages in H1

LJUBLJANA - In the first half of this year many employees can look forward to higher wages as 59% of employers participating in a recent survey by Manpower Slovenia said they would increase pay. The net employment forecast for this period is moderately optimistic at +43.65%. For 55.81% of the employers taking part in the survey, wage increases will be a retention strategy, while some 25% will increase pay in order to attract new employees.

Warnings of distortion of history as Italy observes remembrance day

LJUBLJANA - Two anti-fascist organisations, International Anti-Fascist Network and the ZZB NOB organisation of WWII veterans, issued statement highlighting abuse of historical facts and silence about the atrocities the fascists committed against Slovenians as Italy observed the Day of Remembrance on 10 February, which commemorates the victims of post-WWII executions and exodus of Italians from parts of present-day Slovenia and Croatia. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry called for a comprehensive commemoration of the tragic events of the 20th century and their victims.

Unaffiliated MPs cannot name their group Democrats

LJUBLJANA - National Assembly President Urška Klakočar Zupančič decided that the conditions for three unaffiliated MPs who had not been elected on the same list to establish a deputy group have been met, but that the group cannot be called the Democrats. This is the name of the party recently established by Anže Logar, one of the unaffiliated MPs who defected from the Democratic Party (SDS).

Event stresses importance of empowering women in science

LJUBLJANA - Women and girls play key roles in scientific and tech communities but they still face obstacles there, heard a roundtable hosted by the STA marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Empowering women to pursue careers in science is an essential part of efforts to eliminate gender inequality, the participants agreed.

Conferences stresses need for effective decision-making in EU

LJUBLJANA - If EU wants to be an important player in the world, it has to improve its efficiency, heard an international conference by New University on decision-making in the EU foreign and security policy. Even though the structure of the EU has changed in the past, decision-making in foreign and security policy has remained more or less the same, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said, adding that a consensus is still needed.

Report: Four officers sentenced over violent October 2021 protest

LJUBLJANA - TV Slovenija reported that the Ljubljana Local Court had given suspended sentences of several months in prison to four police officers over their roles during the violent protest against the Janez Janša government and anti-Covid measures that took place on 5 October 2021 at which the police used tear gas and a water cannon. The ruling is not yet final.

Most reports of discrimination in 2024 related to employment

LJUBLJANA - The office of the Advocate of the Principle of Equality issued more than 100 recommendations to prevent discrimination in 2024. Slow processing of discrimination cases by courts and inaccessibility of public spaces are some of the issues Miha Lobnik highlighted as he presented the annual report. In 2024 his office advised 550 individuals who felt they were being discriminated against and found four cases of discriminatory treatment.

High air pollution levels to persist until Thursday

LJUBLJANA - The Environment Agency (Arso) and Public Health Institute (NIJZ), which have been sounding the alarm over exceeded limit values of PM10 particles in the air in recent days, urged people in Slovenia to limit their outdoor activities. The situation, which has been particularly grave in the city of Kranj, is expected to improve on Thursday.

Slovenia above EU average in fibre optics coverage

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has a fibre optics coverage of 66.5%, which is above the EU average, the Agency for Communication Networks and Services (AKOS) said on Safer Internet Day. Slovenians are mostly satisfied with the speed of their internet and take precautions to use internet safely, surveys by the agency showed. Over 90% of respondents saying they protect sensitive and personal information and avoid downloading unusual apps and apps from unknown sources.

Bluetongue disease confirmed in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection Administration confirmed the presence of bluetongue disease in Slovenia. The insect-transmitted viral disease that affects ruminants was first suspected in two locations in Celje and Slovenj Gradec, with analyses by a reference lab abroad now confirming the initial findings. Owners are advised to carry out preventive vaccination against serotype 4, discovered in the samples.

Big Bang selling under its brand name in Croatia

LJUBLJANA - Two years after acquiring Croatian consumer electronics retailer Sancta Domenica, Slovenia's retail leader in consumer electronics Big Bang will also do business under its eponymous brand in Croatia. All of its shops there are getting rebranded these days, and Big Bang has also just opened a new shop in Varaždin, its 10th in Croatia.

Dončić makes Lakers debut

LOS ANGELES, US - Slovenian basketball superstar Luka Dončić made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers to standing ovations on Monday night, scoring 14 points in 23 and a half minutes on the floor during his new team's 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz. All spectators at the Crypto.com Arena received gold T-shirts with his name and No. 77 to welcome the Slovenian point guard after he was traded to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks in a shock move earlier this month.