Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Largest solar power plant in Slovenia opens near Hrastnik

HRASTNIK - The state-owned power utility HSE launched a 3.036-megawatt solar power plant in a rehabilitated and closed section of the Prapretno landfill near Hrastnik. The largest facility of the kind in the country, worth EUR 2.5 million, is expected to provide electricity for around 800 households. A total of 6,748 photovoltaic modules installed at the former brownfield site will produce more than 3 GWh of electricity a year, and the plan is to expand it to a total installed power of 14 megawatts.

Rail operator SŽ acquires 50% stake in Nomago group

LJUBLJANA - National rail company Slovenske Železnice (SŽ) and coach group Nomago signed a contract under which SŽ acquired 50% of Nomago, with an option to buy the entire stake until the end of 2024. SŽ will pay EUR 15.75 million as the fixed part of the purchase price, with the remaining part depending on Nomago's performance in the coming years. The deal still needs clearance from the competition regulator.

Border municipalities to get EUR 5m over migration pressure

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian border municipalities can count on receiving EUR 5 million from the national budget this year as compensation for enhanced border surveillance as the country fights illegal migrations, Interior Minster Aleš Hojs said. EUR 2 million will be distributed among all border municipalities, with the EUR 3 million to go to those along the southern border, that is the Schengen border with Croatia.

Parsifal poll shows Freedom Movement closing gap on SDS

LJUBLJANA - The latest public opinion poll by Parsifal sees the leading Democrats (SDS) slipping among decided voters, while the closest pursuer, the Freedom Movement, are improving are narrowing the gap. Almost 18% of the respondents are undecided. Among the decided respondents, the SDS would get 27.5% of the vote, which is 3.8 percentage points less compared to last week, while the Freedom Movement improved by 3.2 points to 25.4%.

Voting from Russia will not be possible

LJUBLJANA - The National Electoral Commission decided that there will be no organised polling station at the Slovenian Embassy in Moscow for the 24 April general election in Slovenia. Voting by mail from Russia will not be possible, either. This comes after the Foreign Ministry said that voting from the Embassy in Russia could not be guaranteed due to the security situation and logistical conditions for business in the country, and due to the suspension of postal traffic with the country.

Asylum seekers note double standards for refugees

LJUBLJANA - The way refugees from Ukraine have been taken in in Slovenia is more humane and sensible than procedures involving refugees from other countries, reads an open letter by a group of asylum seekers. from aliens centres Kotnikova and Vič in Ljubljana. Ukrainian refugees are dealing with much more relaxed conditions, they note, urging an end to these double standards, including the right to immediate access to work and welfare system, free movement, and decent living conditions.

Women, employment in focus of International Romani Day

LJUBLJANA - Roma integration and the position of Romany women in society are in the focus as Slovenia observes International Romani Day. Amanda Fetahi, the head of the Loli Luludi association, told the STA that Romany women were still largely confined to the role of housewives and upbringing their children. Most Roma women but also men in Slovenia face obstacles in education, employment, accommodation or access to social and health services. Few Roma women finish secondary school and even fewer higher education.

President highlights coexistence, inclusion in Romani Day address

MURSKA SOBOTA - President Borut Pahor emphasises common values, rights and obligations for all, but also the need to appreciate diversity, as he addressed a ceremony marking International Romani Day. "We live in a single country, our shared motherland, in which we must take care of each other, respect one another, and appreciate both the shared values and the diversity that enriches us as a multicultural society," he said.

Top court bans disclosure of personal data of tax defaulters

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court annulled the provision of the tax procedure act that allows disclosure of personal information about individuals who own legal entities that are tax defaulters if these entities had already had due tax liabilities before these individuals became their owners. The appellant found it disputable that public disclosure of personal information of an individual is required even if they had nothing to do with tax liabilities of the legal entities they own.

EUR 10m available for tourism and hospitality companies

LJUBLJANA - The SPIRIT public agency has published a call worth nearly EUR 10 million to help micro, small and medium-sized companies in tourism, hospitality, and arts and culture get up and running again after coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. Companies have until 22 April to apply for funds. The call is to contribute to preserving companies and jobs in these sectors. 500 companies are expected to benefit from the funds.

Lowest weekday Covid count since late February

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 1,860 coronavirus cases on Thursday, the lowest weekday figure since late February. Hospitalisations fell as well to 186 this morning, including 21 in intensive care, but four patients with Covid-19 died, Health Ministry data shows. The 7-day average of new cases fell below 2,000 to 1,964, and the 14-day notification rate per 100,000 of the population is at 1,501.

Awards given out as Week of Slovenian Drama closes

KRANJ - Solo, a theatre production directed by Nina Rajić Kranjac, won the Šelih Award for best production among eight competing productions at the 52nd Week of Slovenian Drama. The jury labelled Solo as "a very brave and theatrically inventive" piece, which is an attempt at improvisation focussing on "what it means to be on one's own". The audience of the festival chose as their favourite a production about Edvard Kocbek (1904-1981), a writer and politician who fell out of favour with the communist authorities soon after WWII.

Choreographer Clug reinvents Stravinsky's masterpieces

MARIBOR - Choreographer Edward Clug's take on Igor Stravinsky's ballets The Rite of Spring and The Wedding will be staged at the SNG Maribor opera and ballet house this evening. Clug's reinvention of the first ballet will return to the Slovenian stage after a decade. The Romanian-born dancer and choreographer, whose productions have sold out the Bolshoi Theatre and London Coliseum, finds the two ballets pieces of a bygone age that nevertheless have an avant-garde character.

Rog creative centre to open next year

LJUBLJANA - A new creative centre that is emerging from the defunct Ljubljana bicycle factory Rog will open its doors in the summer of 2023. Rog Centre will promote cultural and creative activities, especially product making, applied arts, architecture and design. The hub will feature seven production labs, 25 production facilities, five residential areas, a socialising and exhibition area, a library and cafes. There will also be two smaller shops where products manufactured at the labs will be sold.

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Blanket ban on fracking put into law

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly imposed a blanket ban on hydraulic fracturing or fracking as MPs voted 54 in favour and none against to pass the relevant amendments to the mining act. This was the sixth attempt by the National Assembly to pass such a ban after it failed to endorse similar proposal by the opposition looking to thwart plans by UK investor Ascent Resources to extract gas by means of hydraulic fracturing in Petišovci in the north-east.

Vote on electronic communications bill postponed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly failed to take a vote on a bill on electronic communications that was to transpose the relevant EU directive as the centre-left opposition filed a motion for a referendum on the bill, which now needs to be discussed first. This is despite the country facing legal action at the EU court for failing to transpose the directive. The opposition objects a provision that would make it possible to ban certain equipment makers such as Huawei from the market.

Most parties agree Slovenia should help countries deal with Ukrainian refugees

LJUBLJANA - Most parties standing in the 24 April general election expressed support in principle for Slovenia's assistance to other countries in dealing with the refugee wave from Ukraine, but in accordance with the country's abilities, as they responded to questions from the STA about the topic. The main contenders in the election also called for a coordinated approach within the EU.

Slovenia and US mark Friendship Day

POLZELA - A ceremony was held in Andraž near Polzela to mark Slovenian-American Friendship Day and pay tribute to the crew of the American B-17 bomber downed there in March 1944. President Borut Pahor and US Ambassador Jamie L. Harpootlian also marked the 30th anniversary of the Slovenian-US diplomatic relations on the occasion. They both made references to the war in Ukraine with Harpootlian saying the atrocities committed by Russia were a stark reminder of what the B-17 bomber crew was fighting for.

Bill passed on youth housing guarantee scheme

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a coalition-sponsored bill on a housing state guarantee scheme for young people. Although deputy groups agreed that the youth must be helped out, the centre-left opposition argued the bill was vague and served the election campaign. The state will issue a guarantee for a loan of up to EUR 200,000 with a maturity of up to 30 years to first time home buyers. The Institute for Housing and Spatial Studies said the scheme would only drive up housing prices further.

Higher scholarships, meal subsidies for students confirmed

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly endorsed an opposition bill on the status of university students that will raise state scholarships by 20% by 2024, increase funding set aside for the construction of student dorms, and raise meal subsidies. A large share of income earned through student work and scholarships, up to the level of minimum wage, will be exempted from means testing. MPs also endorsed a bill to equalise the minimum gross hourly pay for pensioners with the minimum rate for student work.

MPs approve state guarantee for Third Development Axis secured

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed nearly unanimously a bill to provide loan guarantees for the national motorway company DARS for projects on the Third Development Axis expressway and some other motorway sections whose total cost is estimated at EUR 785 million. It is provided for up to 50% of the investment value of the projects, with the rest to be provided by DARS. As DARS will receive up to EUR 392.44 million in state guarantees, it may get loans from banks under more favourable terms.

New state-owned company to manage public transportation

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly fast-tracked a bill to create a state-owned limited liability company tasked with managing the tactical aspects of passenger transportation on road and rail as a public service. The company, headquartered in Postojna, will plan public transportation and its financing, participate in infrastructure planning and strategies, and manage the integrated mass transit tickets that Slovenia has had for several years now.

MPs approve EUR 150m investment in sport infrastructure

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly passed a bill providing funding for investment in sport infrastructure in Slovenia in the 2023-2027 period. It envisages EUR 150 million in investments or EUR 30 million a year. The annual amount of investment may be higher if the envisaged amounts for the previous years are not invested, while it cannot exceed EUR 60 million. The government will determine the priority areas for financing and co-financing.

Freedom Movement wins action over status in TV election debates

LJUBLJANA - The Freedom Movement, a non-parliamentary party that some polls favour to win the 24 April election, announced the Administrative Court issued a temporary decision in which it upheld its argument that it should be granted the status of a parliamentary party in election debates aired by the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija just like Our Land, the party of former Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, whom RTV Slovenija granted the status. The Freedom Movement will appear in its first debate on Thursday.

Referendum motions delay social security bills, higher education decree

LJUBLJANA - The opposition centre-left parties filed motions to call a referendum on changes to the law on social security benefits and the law on parental care and family benefits, as well as on a decree transforming a private faculty in Novo Mesto into a public education establishment. The parties argue the planned changes are "harmful" while being made haphazardly. The motions mean the legislative proposals cannot be passed before the election.

Scientists protest against politicisation of higher education

LJUBLJANA - Several hundred scientists gathered in the centre of Ljubljana to protest against the transformation of private educational and research institutions into public entities eligible for public funds, a policy they say is driven by political interests rather than expert judgement. The protest, organised by the Chancellors' Conference and Coordinating Body of Slovenian Research Institutions, comes after two public institutions with ties to current or former state secretaries were recently formed.

NKBM banking group halved profit in 2021

MARIBOR - NKBM, Slovenia's second largest banking group, nearly halved its net profit last year to EUR 112.6 million, which it attributed to the challenging business environment and Covid-19 pandemic. In May last year, the bank's owners, US fund Apollo (80%) and the EBRD, signed a deal to sell the bank to the Hungarian OTP Bank group, which already holds SKB Banka in Slovenia. Pending regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to be finalised in second or third quarter of the year.

Slovenia urges sustainable food safety solutions at W Balkans-EU meeting

BERLIN, Germany - Slovenia's Agriculture Ministry State Secretary Anton Harej highlighted the need for sustainable food safety solutions as he attended on Tuesday a meeting of Western Balkan and EU agriculture ministers discussing the region's preparations to introduce the common agricultural policy (CAP) as part of pre-accession programmes until 2027. He stressed that it was crucial for the countries to start treating agriculture as a critical and strategic activity.

Logistics sector promised government support

PORTOROŽ - The government plans to support the Slovenian logistics industry, including by incentivising the construction of logistics centres and cutting red tape, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec told the International Logistics Congress, which got under way today. He said a debate had already been launched on the need to develop logistics centres across the country, in particular in brownfield sites.

Fmr Commodity Reserves boss found to have favoured PPE suppliers

LJUBLJANA - Anton Zakrajšek, the boss of the Commodity Reserves Agency when it was tasked with carrying out massive purchases of personal protective equipment and devices in the early months of the pandemic, was found to have violated integrity provisions by favouring individual providers, shows a report by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. The watchdog's findings are final.

Epidemic continues to ebb away

LJUBLJANA - Coronavirus cases in Slovenia continued to fall as 2,281 infections were confirmed on Tuesday, down by 24% week-on-week. Another five people with Covid died yesterday, Health Ministry data shows. Hospitalisations broadly remained level. The National Institute of Public Health estimates the number of actively infected people in the country has dropped to 33,878.

Conductor of Slovenian descent wins Grammy Award

NEW YORK, US - Karen Kamenšek, a Conductor of Slovenian descent who served as artistic director of the Maribor opera house and the chief conductor of its orchestra years ago, won the Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording for her version of Philip Glass's opera Akhnaten on Sunday. Kamenšek was born in Chicago but her parents come from Kamnica near Maribor. She debuted with the opera on the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenatenby by Glass with whom she often collaborates, at the English National Opera in March 2016.

Carinthian Culture Days get under way in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - Carinthian Culture Days, the annual festival celebrating the arts, culture and heritage of the Slovenian minority in Austria, got under way in Ljubljana with the launch of an exhibition of paintings by Gustav Januš. Running until 28 April, the festival will feature a number of events, from book launches to readings, concerts, theatre shows and exhibitions.

Technical Museum exhibition on show in Ohio

COLUMBUS, US - A travelling exhibition by the Slovenian Technical Museum that focuses on Slovenian scientists and engineers who made their name in the US is opening at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the US's recognition of Slovenian independence. Entitled Us and Them Without Frontiers, the showcase focuses on, among others, astronaut Sunita Williams, planet hunter Marija Strojnik, space engineer Anton Mavretič.

Expanded Supernova shopping centre opens in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - An expanded Supernova shopping centre in the Ljubljana's shopping district of Rudnik welcomed first visitors. The EUR 70 million investment created 800 jobs and will significantly expand the already large retail district to include new bars and restaurants, seven cinema theatres, two entertainment parks and a gym. The Supernova group, based in Graz, Austria, owns 24 shopping centres in Slovenia.

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Slovenia reducing staff at Russian embassy from 41 to eight

LJUBLJANA - The Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Timur Eyvazov to express Slovenia's strongest protest against and shock at the killings of civilians in Bucha and other towns in Ukraine, and the ambassador was also notified that Slovenia is reducing the number of staff at the Russian embassy in Ljubljana from 41 to eight, or by 80%. The ministry said it expressed to Eyvazov its "strongest protest and dismay at the massacres of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and other towns, which satellite and other images have revealed after the towns were liberated from the occupation of the Russian aggressor forces".

100 Slovenian troops to be deployed in Slovakia in first phase

LJUBLJANA - In the first phase of Slovenia's participation in NATO's enhanced forward presence on its eastern flank 100 Slovenian troops will be deployed in Slovakia, the Slovenian Armed Forces said in a press release. The soldiers will be ready for departure from 11 April, but the date of deployment will depend on the host country. In line with a government decision of 23 March, Slovenia plans to deploy up to 200 Slovenian troops in Slovakia.

Pahor speaks with Erdogan on the phone on war in Ukraine

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the importance of Ukraine-Russia negotiations hosted by Turkey in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The presidents also reaffirmed the good and friendly bilateral relations, the president's office said. This comes after the two presidents agreed at an official meeting in Antalya in March to hold regular consultations on the progress in the Turkey-hosted negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Parties agree on humanitarian aid to Ukraine, disagree on weapons and gas imports

LJUBLJANA - Most parties standing in the 24 April general election think Slovenia should not provide weapons to Ukraine, but foremost humanitarian aid, show their answers to the STA's questions about the Ukraine situation. They mostly oppose any solo action as regards sanctions against Russia or an immediate suspension of Russian gas imports. Most parties think Slovenia's energy sources should be diversified.

Slovenia's jobless total down almost 27% y/y in March

LJUBLJANA - The country's jobless total dropped to 60,534 at the end of March, down at both monthly and annual levels. The figure fell by 6.6% over February and by 26.7% over March last year, according to the latest data from the Employment Service. Unemployment is thus at the level it hit at the peak of economic growth in 2008.

Radwaste repository not to be built on schedule, says minister

KRŠKO - The Krško City Council discussed the construction of a local radioactive waste repository, with Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak assuring them that everything was being done to make sure that the repository would be built as soon as possible and at an acceptable price. But it is already clear that it will not be built on schedule - by 2025, he added, pinning the blame for this on the Radioactive Waste Management Agency's previous director.

Parliamentary inquiry pressing charges against ex police chiefs

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary inquiry into suspicions of political interference in the work of the police decided to file charges against former police commissioners Andrej Jurič and Anton Travner with the Specialised State Prosecutor's Office. They are suspected of committing the offence of perjury. The charge against Jurič was forwarded to the prosecution office on Tuesday, and the charge against Travner will be forwarded in the coming days, the head of the inquiry Rudi Medved said.

Don Don bakery group revenue up to EUR 130m last year

GROSUPLJE - Don Don, a Grosuplje-based group which makes various types of bread and flour-based pastry, generated EUR 130 million in revenue in 2021, up 14% over 2020. The epidemic is still affecting its business but to a lesser extent, while the group feels the consequences of the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, says CEO Aleš Mozetič.

EUR 5m for digital transformation of tourism until 2026

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) has drafted a 2022-2026 digital transformation strategy for Slovenian tourism, the country's first strategic document of its kind. The STO plans to allocate at least EUR 5 million until 2026 for the industry's digital transformation.

Slovenian companies develop smart zero-energy home

MARIBOR - A dozen Slovenian companies have developed an innovative net zero-energy house that can serve as a home and a workplace. With the smart appliances and fittings linked into a cloud it can be monitored and managed remotely. The model Dom24 (Home24) was put on display today at the headquarters of Marles, Slovenia's oldest and largest maker of prefabricated homes, in Limbuš near Maribor.

Covid cases and hospitalisations keep falling

LJUBLJANA - The Covid-19 epidemic keeps subsiding in Slovenia with both new infections and patients in need of hospital treatment decreasing on Monday. Cases were down by nearly a fourth week-on-week to 3,400 but six more people died, Health Ministry data shows. The National Institute of Public Health estimates there are still almost 35,000 actively infected people in the country.

Eurobarometer: One in three Slovenians happy with state of democracy

LJUBLJANA - Slovenians are quite happy with their life in general but only one out of three is happy with the way democracy works in their country, a Eurobarometer survey conducted across the EU has shown. As many as 89% of the Slovenians included in the survey are happy with their life, which is above the EU average of 83%.

C-bank says war in Ukraine, sanctions worsen economic outlook

LJUBLJANA - The central bank Banka Slovenije has assessed that, after favourable economic activity continued in the eurozone and in Slovenia in the first quarter of the year, Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions have worsened the economic outlook. Risks of prolonged periods of high inflation have increased markedly, it said.

Govt secures EUR 7m for damage caused by last year's frost

LJUBLJANA - The government decided to earmark EUR 7 million for the Agriculture Ministry to implement the programme for mitigating the consequences of damage caused by last year's frost in fruit growing and viticulture. Under the decision taken at the government's economy committee, the funds to eliminate the consequences of the 5-9 April 2021 frost will be provided from the budget reserve. The government also adopted a decision on the provision of aid to beekeepers due to the same damage.

Israel's Taavura Group acquires Renault dealership in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The French car manufacturer Renault announced it had concluded an agreement with the Israeli Taavura Group to sell it the dealership of the Renault Group in Slovenia, which imports and distributes the Renault, Dacia and Alpine marques. The management of Renault Nissan Slovenija meanwhile announced that the Taavura Group would be a new distributor of Nissan vehicles, spare parts and other services for Slovenia. The deal needs to be approved by the Competition Protection Agency.

Language main challenge in employment of Ukrainian refugees

LJUBLJANA - The Employment Service has registered first Ukrainian refugees seeking jobs in Slovenia as demand from employers, in particular in the hospitality industry, remains high, while language is one of the main challenges. The Employment Service started intensive preparations for the inflow of Ukrainian refugees into its register in March. So far fewer than five have registered, the service's director general Mitja Bobnar told reporters.

Slovenia tops UCI ranking as Pogačar first to top 6,000 pts

MONTREUX, Switzerland - Tadej Pogačar has become the first rider in history to pass the 6,000 point mark in the UCI world road race ranking as Slovenia took the lead in the nations ranking in the combined score of eight best riders from each country. Pogačar, an UAE Team Emirates rider, is currently on 6,051 points, ahead of his compatriot Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) in second with 4,152 points. Another Slovenian, Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Victorious) ranks 5th with 2,683.

Giant Carniolan bee now on show at Cankarjev Dom

LJUBLJANA - A giant honey bee that was one of the main attractions of Slovenia's Expo pavilion in Dubai has now been displayed at Ljubljana's Cankarjev Dom to mark World Bee Day, celebrated on Slovenia's initiative on 20 May. The model of Apis mellifera carnica, the worker Carniolan bee, has been made with a 3D printer in a scale hundred times the real-life size of the bee. It measures 170 centimetres in length.

The Father opening festival dedicated to Florian Zeller

Ljubljana - A festival dedicated to Florian Zeller, an award-winning French novelist, playwright, film director and screenwriter whom British critics have labelled as one of the greatest writers of our time, opened at the Cankarjev Dom arts centre in the evening with the screening of his Oscar-winning film The Father (2020).

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Janša likens Bucha killings to Katyn massacre

LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša labelled the atrocities Russia is believed to have committed in Bucha, a city close to Kyiv, crimes against humanity, likening them to the 1940 execution of Poles in Katyn by the Soviet Union. "These are massive crimes against humanity," he said on Twitter yesterday, adding that the Russian army behaved "as a horde of KGB executioners at Katyn". In subsequent tweets he suggested that the West could have prevented the massacres by giving Ukraine and Georgia the prospect of NATO membership in 2008.

Ukraine, Bay in Piran in focus of Slovenia-Croatia-Italy meeting

ZAGREB, Croatia - Foreign Minister Anže Logar met his Croatian and Italian counterparts, Gordan Grlić Radman and Luigi Di Maio, in Croatia's Zaprešić to assess the ongoing trilateral cooperation in the north Adriatic and discussed proposals for further cooperation, which was put into words in a joint statement. The statement strongly condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and supports Ukraine and its people. Logar and Di Maio urged adopting a new package of sanctions against Russia. Logar and Grlić Radman talked about an "agreement about an agreement" on fishing in the border Bay of Piran.

Minister: Slovenia could get third of its LNG from Krk this year

KRK, Croatia - Croatia is soon to publish an open call for booking the increased capacity of its LNG terminal on the island of Krk, 300 million cubic metres per year, and Slovenia is interested in leasing it, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said after he met Croatian Economy Minister Tomislav Ćorić. The additional capacity would cover about a third of Slovenia's gas demand this year and significantly reduce the country's dependency on Russia's gas.

Painter Emerik Bernard dies aged 84

LJUBLJANA - Emerik Bernard, one of the most important Slovenian painters and representatives of late Slovenian modernism and postmodernism, died aged 84, the MMC news portal reported. Art historian Tomaž Brejc described his contribution to Slovenian art as the most visible and successful synthesis of the principles of modernism with the artistic inventions of postmodernism. Bernard received a number of awards, including the most prestigious national award, the Prešeren Prize for outstanding achievements in fine arts in 1997.

Janša congratulates Orban on re-election

LJUBLJANA - PM Janez Janša congratulated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party, which secured the fourth consecutive win in Sunday's election. "It's good to have friends as neighbours," Janša wrote on Twitter. Janša and Orban are close political allies and Orban had endorsed Janša prior to the 2018 general election. Slovenia holds an election in three weeks.

Analyst says Orban has established "ideological hegemony"

LJUBLJANA - The result of Sunday's election in Hungary is certainly a surprise to all, including the ruling party. Fidesz has apparently managed to establish an "ideological hegemony" where the opposition finds it very hard to promote an alternative narrative of reality, historian and political analyst Luka Lisjak Gabrijelčič commented on Hungary's election outcome for the STA. As for the outcom's possible impact on the upcoming election in Slovenia, he thinks opposition parties will benefit the most, because the result will act as an "incentive for exceptional mobilisation", having shown "they must not rest on laurels".

Pahor congratulates Vučić on re-election

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor congratulated Aleksandar Vučić on his re-election as Serbia's president in Sunday's election in a phone call. He wished Vučić success in performing his duties and they both noted the importance of mutual trust and a continuation of the excellent relationship between the two countries, Pahor's office said, adding they were keen to hold an informal meeting soon.

Analyst says election result in Serbia was expected

LJUBLJANA - The only news after Sunday's presidential and general elections in Serbia is the result of opposition parties, while everything else was known in advance, as all mechanism for election victory had been in the hands of President Aleksandar Vučić, Borut Šuklje, a former Slovenian diplomat, told the STA. "Everything is subordinated to one person" in Serbia with the government being practically non-existent, said Šuklje.

Watchdog finds PM in conflict of interest over BAMC appointment

LJUBLJANA - The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption found PM Janez Janša was in a conflict of interest by voting for the appointment of Franci Matoz, his long-time lawyer, for a top job at the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC) in July 2021. Reacting on Twitter, Janša criticised the watchdog for failing to find flaws in Court of Audit President Tomaž Vesel's work for FIFA "for EUR 20,000 a month" or the "salaries and bonuses of EUR 45,000 per month" of former Gen-I chairman Robert Golob.

Freedom Movement one point ahead of SDS in RTV Slovenija poll

LJUBLJANA - The Freedom Movement has narrowly overtaken the ruling Democrats (SDS) in the latest opinion poll commissioned by the public broadcaster TV Slovenija from Mediana and is now one percentage point ahead. The party of Robert Golob gained 1.7 points since a month ago to 19.7% as PM Janez Janša's party added just 0.4 points to 18.7%. The Social Democrats (SD) in third polled at 8.2%, half a point up from March, and the fellow opposition party, the Left, improved by 0.8 points to 6.4%.

Minister Jaklitsch completes tour of Canada

VANCOUVER/TORONTO/OTTAWA, Canada - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Helena Jaklitsch wrapped up a busy week-long tour of the Slovenian communities in Canada in Vancouver on Saturday, after stopping in Toronto and Ottawa. Apart from visiting Slovenian associations, she also met with businessmen of Slovenian descent and visited their companies. She thanked Canadian Slovenians for preserving Slovenian heritage and identity and for their contribution to Slovenia's international recognition 30 years ago.

Exports up by 19% y/y in February as imports surge by 50%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's merchandise exports were up by almost 19% year-on-year in January to EUR 36 billion, but exports surged by more than 50% to EUR 4.2 billion, the latest Statistics Office data shows. Exports to EU countries, which account for roughly two-thirds of Slovenia's overall trade, rose by 21%, whereas exports to third countries were up by a more modest 14.2% In the first two months, the trade deficit topped a billion euros.

Fortenova becomes sole owner of retailer Mercator

LJUBLJANA - Croatian group Fortenova has become the sole shareholder of Slovenia's largest retailer Mercator after squeezing out all remaining small shareholders, leading to a suspension of trading on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange pending a decision on delisting. Fortenova, which owned roughly 90% of Mercator prior to the squeeze-out, said that it had paid EUR 22.4 million for the outstanding shares. The transaction completes a process that began in 2014 with the purchase of Mercator by Croatian retailer Agrokor, said Fabris Peruško, CEO of Fortenova, the company that took over Agrokor's healthy assets when it went bankrupt.

Summit Leasing Slovenija expands to Croatian market

LJUBLJANA - Summit Leasing Slovenija obtained regulatory approval to complete its acquisition of Mercedes-Benz Leasing Croatia, which offers financing services for the purchase of cars, vans, trucks and buses of the Daimler Group on the Croatian market. The leasing arm of the NKBM bank acquired the Croatian leasing company based in Zagreb from Daimler Mobility, a company based in Stuttgart, which is a subsidiary of Daimler. The transaction was finalised on 1 April.

Coronavirus infections down further

LJUBLJANA - Another 802 new coronavirus infections were detected in Slovenia on Sunday as the downward trend continued. Health Ministry data shows 179 patients are in hospitals due to Covid, including 28 in intensive care. Four Covid patients died yesterday after no data was released for Saturday and Friday. The 7-day average of new cases dropped to 2,377 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people to 1,728.

Golfer Babnik third in first major of the season

LOS ANGELES, US - Slovenia's best professional golfer, 18-year-old Pia Babnik, set a new milestone by taking third place in the first major tournament of the season, the Chevron Championship in California, US. This is by far the best result any Slovenian golfer has ever achieved. Babnik finished the four-day tournament with a prize money of five million dollars at 11 under par to finish behind two Americans, Jennifer Kupcho (-14) and Jessica Korda (-12).

2Cellos mark 30 years of Slovenia, Croatia UN membership

NEW YORK, US - Slovenia and Croatia marked the 30th anniversary of their UN membership in New York on Sunday with a concert by world-renowned Slovenian-Croatian duo 2Cellos, who thus started their farewell world tour. The concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn was also marked by expressions of solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya attended the concert along with Slovenian and Croatian ambassadors to the UN, Boštjan Malovrh and Ivan Šimonović.

Putin's portrait filled with blood of Ukrainians projected on buildings

LJUBLJANA - A portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin filled with the blood of Ukrainians fighting for their country was projected onto several buildings, including government buildings, in the centre of Ljubljana on Monday evening, to draw attention to the Russian aggression of Ukraine. The project is the work of Russian-born conceptual artist Andrei Molodkin, who is based in France, and was executed in collaboration with the Slovenian art gallery Fotopub.

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Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Janša announces further measures to contain electricity prices

VRHNIKA - Prime Minister Janez Janša announced the government would continue to intervene as long as necessary to contain high electricity prices. The main problem, in his view, is the European formula to calculate electricity prices that takes into account gas prices, but the formula is about to change. "Until the formula is changed and this has not stabilised prices, we will continue to intervene," Janša said on Friday evening at a public debate in Vrhnika that wrapped up the government's visit to the southern communities of central Slovenia.

No conclusions as MPs debate situation at RTV Slovenija

LJUBLJANA - The centre-left opposition failed to muster support on the parliamentary Culture Committee on Friday for a series of resolutions they proposed in response to what they see as political pressure on editorial independence and autonomy of the public broadcaster. The ruling coalition and other opposition parties as well as the leadership of RTV Slovenija denied allegations of political interference in the broadcaster. Before the session, the NGO Institute 8 March delivered 40,000 signatures in support of the weekly magazine-format shows Studio City and Tednik and the talk-show Tarča, which were removed from the programme for the duration of the election campaign.

NSi leader lauds party for efficiency

KAMNIK - Matej Tonin, the defence minister, praised his Christian democratic party for its efficiency in delivering on its promises as he addressed the annual get-together of New Slovenia (NSi) in his home town Kamnik. He urged voters to turn out at the polls on 24 April to say a decisive no to those "who will mainly take away from us". The decision should be simple: "On the one hand you have the efficient team of the NSi, and on the other you have a whole phalanx of parties that advocate revanchism, nationalisation and higher taxes."

UKC Ljubljana hospital to undergo EUR 37m renovation

LJUBLJANA - The main building of the UKC Ljubljana medical centre called Hospital will get a comprehensive renovation in an investment valued at EUR 37 million. The government included the project in the plan of development programmes for 2022-2025. A press release issued after the government's correspondence session said the funds for the renovation would be secured by the Health Ministry. The building will simultaneously also be upgraded to improve its energy efficiency.

Covid-19 remains in retreat

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia logged 2,358 new coronavirus cases on Friday, almost a fifth fewer than a week ago as the decline continued for the ninth day running, data from the National Institute of Public Health shows. The 7-day average is now at 2,453, down by 76 from the day before, and the 14-day notification rate per 100,000 of the population declined by an additional 39 to 1,770. The authorities have not released hospital or fatality figures today.

ETI Elektroelement gets EUR 2.3m subsidy for automatisation

IZLAKE - ETI Elektroelement Izlake, one of the world's biggest manufacturers of fuses, switches and circuit breakers, has been approved a EUR 2.3 million subsidy for a EUR 15 million investment to automate and digitalise its production process. Speaking with the STA, ETI said they were planning a new package of automation and digitalisation over the next two years to expand production capacity and increase value added and sales by 2025.

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Slovenia won't accept paying for gas in roubles, minister says

GROSUPLJE - Slovenia rejects paying for Russian gas supplies in roubles and it won't accept Russia's engaging in extortion, Infrastructure Minister Jernej Vrtovec said during a government visit to southern part of Central Slovenia. He stressed the EU was united in its rejection of paying for Russian gas in roubles as demanded by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He assessed the prospects for a diversification of gas supply as good while saying there were presently no reasons to limit energy use.

Most ministers, MPs standing in 24 April election

LJUBLJANA - More than 1,400 candidates for members of parliament have been fielded by 20 parties and groupings that have entered the election race. Ten of the 18 ministers and 80 of the 90 sitting MPs are on the ballot. Just over 44% of the candidates are women, according to preliminary data. Few MPs have opted not to stand again, among them five from the largest faction, the Democrats (SDS). One notable absence is Speaker Igor Zorčič, who defected from the Modern Centre Party (SMC) and formed his own party.

Slovenia to take part in Locked Shields cyber defence exercise

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia will take part in the Locked Shields 2022 cyber defence and strategic decision-making exercise organised by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, from 19 April to 22 April. The main purpose of the exercise is to practice technical procedures to counter cyber attacks caused by simulated vulnerabilities of a private training network, says a release issued after the government endorsed the participation on Thursday.

GZS forecasts 3.7% growth this year

LJUBLJANA - Analysts at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) forecast for the Slovenian economy to expand by 3.7% this year, a rate that is to slow down to 3.2% in 2023. Inflation is to peak this year at 5.2% before falling to 3% next year. GZS says this year's economic outlook is relatively favourable for Slovenia despite the challenges posed by geopolitical risk in Eastern Europe. Unofficially, the government's forecaster IMAD has downgraded its forecast for this year from 4.7% to 4.2%.

Over 55,000 Ukrainian refugees have transited Slovenia, minister says

LOGATEC - More than 55,000 refugees from Ukraine have so far transited Slovenia, mostly to get to their relatives and friends in Italy, Spain or France, while more than 5,800 have been accommodated in Slovenia, Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said as he visited the refugee centre in Logatec as part of a government visit to Central Slovenia. Less than 1,000 refugees are staying in Slovenian accommodation centres, and the rest in private accommodation or with their relatives or friends.

Parsifal poll shows gap between front-runners narrowing

LJUBLJANA - The gap between the Democrats (SDS) and the Freedom Movement appears to be narrowing, according to the latest iteration of the Parsifal poll conducted for Siol news portal. Whereas the SDS was almost nine points ahead a week ago, it now has a six-point advantage. While both parties lost ground, the SDS slipped by more than three points to 21.7%, whereas the Freedom Movement lost less than a point to 15.4%. The Social Democrats (SD) remained in third with 6.5%, down more than a point.

EU advocate says C-bank cannot finance bank bailout damages

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Juliane Kokott, an advocate general at the EU's court, issued a preliminary opinion at the request of the Slovenian Constitutional Court to find that the Slovenian central bank's financing compensation for bank shareholders and bondholders who lost their assets in the 2013 bailout would run afoul of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Under the 2019 law that is subject of review, Banka Slovenije has been setting profit aside into a special reserve fund intended for the compensation.

State to guarantee for up to EUR 392m in road investment loans

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Finance Committee okayed a bill to secure state loan guarantees of up to EUR 392 million for national motorway company DARS to facilitate EUR 785 million investments into four expressway sections and an expansion of a part of the Ljubljana ring road. The planned investments include a section in the northern part of the emerging north-south expressway axis as well the first section in its southern part, and two legs of an expressway between Ptuj and Ormož in NE.

Presidents of EU supreme courts meet in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The board of the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union held a session in Ljubljana, attended by presidents of supreme courts from five EU countries, including Slovenia's Damijan Florjančič. The meeting focussed on the importance of explaining the decisions of the supreme and other courts. Officials agreed the main topics this year will be AI in judiciary, respect for the rule of law and restoring people's trust in the legal system. The board was also received by President Borut Pahor.

Meat prices going up

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian meat processing companies, large and small, have raised prices of their product by up to 30%, or plan price hikes in the near future, as they attempt to offset the rising cost of inputs such as energy and transport. Celjske Mesnine has already raised prices of pork, beef and processed products by 30%, and the Maribor company Košaki raised theirs by 10-30%. Poultry company Perutnina Ptuj and Pivka Delamaris, a poultry and fish processing company, plan to raise prices in the coming months.

Largest dairy raising milk prices for farmers

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljanske Mlekarne, the country's largest dairy, announced on Thursday that it will pay more for milk to farmers in April and May, raising the price by 2.5 cents per kilogram each month. This comes after farmers stressed at talks last week that the average milk price for farmers in Slovenia was among the lowest in the EU, at 35.9 cents per kilo, and their trade union demanded that it immediately increased by 5 cents to 42 cents per kilo, the EU average.

Start of Ig prison construction this year

LJUBLJANA - Construction of a new prison for women in Ig on the outskirts of Ljubljana is expected to start this year and be completed in 2025. It is estimated to cost EUR 43 million, the Justice Ministry said in a release after Minister Marjan Dikaučič visited Ig prison as part of the government visit to southern Central Slovenia. The only penal facility for women in Slovenia, Ig Prison is currently located in an old castle. A new facility is designed to ensure adequate living and security conditions for all inmates, including mothers, juveniles and elderly convicts, and adequate working conditions for the staff. It will feature detention and closed wards, while the semi-open and open wards are planned as part of the reconstruction of the castle.

Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce gets new head

LJUBLJANA - Dagmar von Bohnstein took over as the new head of the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce. On the occasion, she pointed to the current challenges in Europe and importance of a strong international network and bilateral economic community to face them. Taking over from Gertrud Rantzen, who ended her 15-year stint at the end of March, Von Bohnstein said Slovenia had an exceptional geographic position and great potential as a link between the west and east of the EU.

Coronavirus keeps fizzling out

LJUBLJANA - A total of 2,373 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Thursday, 15% fewer than a week ago. Six patients with Covid-19 died, Health Ministry data shows. Hospital figures remain stable with a total of 191 patients treated for Covid-19 in hospitals this morning, including 35 in intensive care. According to the National Institute of Public Health, the 7-day average of new cases dropped to 2,529 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 to 1,809.

Slovenia among top five European countries in PM 2.5 exposure

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Slovenia is among the five European countries alongside Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Poland with the highest recorded concentrations of the PM 2.5 fine particulate matter, shows the latest annual assessment of air quality by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report includes the official data for 2020 and provisional data for 2021 on concentrations of key air pollutants measured at more than 4,500 measuring stations in 37 European countries.

OSCE office to assess election process in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will send a mission to assess the 24 April general election in Slovenia. Unlike its election observation missions, this one will not include long-term observers who would stay in the country or regions for a while, or short-term observers who would visit polling stations on election day. It will consist of several experts, who are expected to arrive in Slovenia on 12 April to examine the election process and preparations for election, the National Electoral Commission said.

Ljutomer judge harasser ordered psychiatric treatment

MARIBOR - Newspapers reported that the man who stalked Ljutomer judge Gorazd Tivadar and smashed the windscreen on his car in January would not be held criminally liable on the grounds of insanity defence. He has been ordered to undergo mandatory psychiatric treatment. The man was detained in January after stalking the judge for ten years. The prosecution initially argued there were no grounds for detention.

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General government deficit down to 5.2% of GDP last year

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's general government deficit amounted to EUR 2.705 billion or 5.2% of GDP last year, or EUR 961 million less than in 2020. The deficit of the central government amounted to EUR 2.94 billion last year, while the local government generated a EUR 60 million and social security funds a EUR 178 million surplus. Gross general government debt reached 74.7% of GDP, decreasing by 5.1 percentage points in relative terms year-on-year, nominally increasing by EUR 1.435 billion.

Annual inflation decelerates to 5.4% in March

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded an annual inflation rate of 5.4% in March, a significant drop from 6.9% in February, as a 30% decline in electricity prices shaved a full percentage point off the headline rate, the Statistics Office reported. While electricity was cheaper, prices in other major groups rose. With petrol up over 30% and diesel almost as much, oil derivatives prices contributed 1.2 percentage points to the overall inflation rate. Food, almost 7% more expensive, added another point.

IMAD's latest GDP forecast postponed again

LJUBLJANA - The government did not put IMAD's latest GDP forecast on the agenda of today's session, the second time in two weeks the item was not examined. The reason, as reported by Delo, is that the macroeconomic forecaster has not sufficiently taken into account the positive effects of investments from the EU recovery and resilience fund and other investments. IMAD denies that and says the forecast is realistic all the available data considered.

Slovenian, Croatian Italian foreign ministers meeting on Monday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar, Croatia's Gordan Grlić Radman and Italy's Luigi Di Maio will meet in Zaprešić, Croatia on Monday to discuss cooperation in the north Adriatic sea, in what will be the third meeting in this format. The ministers will take stock of the cooperation so far and examine specific proposals, which will be included in a joint statement, the Foreign Ministry said.

SD accuses Janša of jeopardising arbitration agreement

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Janša is jeopardising the 2009 border arbitration agreement between Slovenia and Croatia and is abusing office as he engages in talks with Croatia on what was already agreed on, Matjaž Nemec, an MP for the opposition SocDems, said. Nemec spoke to the press a day after a Croatia newspaper reported that Croatia and Slovenia had drawn up a pilot plan to solve the issue of fishing in the Bay of Piran.

Slovenian, UAE speakers debate cooperation, intl issues

ABU DHABI, UAE - Potential for stronger economic cooperation and current international issues topped the agenda as National Assembly Speaker Igor Zorčič met with Saqr Ghobash, speaker of the the Federal National Council, at the outset of a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates. The officials said about the war in Ukraine that "confrontation does not lead anywhere, peace is the only answer to conflicts". Zorčič and Ghobash also shared the view that cooperation between all countries was crucial in addressing the current energy crisis.

President and ambassador mark Slovenia-UK Friendship Day

VINICA - President Borut Pahor and UK Ambassador to Slovenia Tiffany Sadler marked Slovenia-UK Friendship Day in Gornji Suhor, a village in south-eastern Slovenia where a British bomber crashed in March 1945 while locals and Slovenian Partisans helped save some of the crew. Pahor, Sadler and Črnomelj Mayor Andrej Kavšek stressed the role of mutual friendship which was made in the most difficult moments as they addressed the event. They also touched on the war in Ukraine saying that while it had brought a lot of suffering it had also brought a lot of compassion and solidarity.

Slovenia to soon get new ambassadors in Croatia, Belgium

LJUBLJANA - The government formally relieved of their duties the Slovenian ambassadors accredited to Belgium and Croatia as their terms expire at the end of May. Ambassador Vojislav Šuc will leave Croatia on 31 May, and according to media reports, will be replaced by Gašper Dovžan, currently a Foreign Ministry state secretary. Rado Genorio will vacate his ambassadorial post in Belgium on 27 May, and will, according to media reports, retire. Petra Kežman was appointed Slovenia's new national coordinator for relations with the Union for the Mediterranean, the Government Communication Office said in a release.

Slovenian flag at Kyiv embassy temporarily removed because of similarity with Russia's

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's charge d'affaires at the embassy in Kyiv Boštjan Lesjak, who arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, told TV Slovenija late on Wednesday that he had to take down the Slovenian flag in front of the embassy because of its similarity with the Russian flag. But the Slovenian Foreign Ministry told the STA today that after the Ukrainian security forces beefed up security in the street where the Slovenian Embassy and several other embassies are located, Lesjak again raised the Slovenian flag and now it was to stay there.

Coronavirus caseload continues to decline

LJUBLJANA - The coronavirus epidemic in Slovenia continues to gradually decline, as a total of 2,743 cases were confirmed on Monday, down by 17% from the week before. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 population declined marginally to 1,832, with the 7-day average of new daily cases down by almost seventy to 2,601, National Institute of Public Health data show. A total of 157 patients were in hospital due to Covid-19 this morning, of which 35 in intensive care, figures that have remained broadly flat since early March. Three patients with Covid-19 died, according to the Health Ministry.

Radwaste agency to re-check bids for repository construction

LJUBLJANA - The new management of the Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ARAO) has reversed the decision by the previous management not to pick any of the three bids for the construction of a radwaste repository, and the bids will now be re-examined. The agency announced last week it had not awarded a contract since the offer by the only consortium to remain in the game, a joint bid by the Slovenian construction firms Riko, Kolektor CPG and CGP, was more than a hundred million euros above the funds available.

Govt sets maximum wholesale prices of petrol, diesel

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian government capped the wholesale price of regular petrol and diesel two and a half weeks after regulating retail prices. The wholesale price has been set two cents below the retail price. Wholesalers will be allowed to charge EUR 1.483 per litre of petrol and EUR 1.521 per litre of diesel, a price the government said on Thursday provided a margin that would make it possible for small retailers to secure fuel supplies.

New electronic communications act to be fast-tracked

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly confirmed plans to fast track the new electronic communications act, the government's second attempt to pass the legislation after an almost identical bill was voted down in February over concerns about the independence of the Agency for Electronic Communications and provisions seen as being directed against Huawei. The decision, confirmed at the outset of an emergency plenary, means the bill will be put to a vote on 6 April, according to the agenda of the session.

National rail operator gets go-ahead to buy coach company Nomago

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH), the custodian of state assets, has given its go-ahead to national rail company Slovenske Železnice (SŽ) to buy half of coach company Nomago, the business newspaper Finance reported. The SSH management green-lit SŽ's strategic investment on Wednesday. The investment will cost SŽ some EUR 30 million, which it will pay over the course of three years. SŽ will also have a pre-emptive right to buy the rest of Nomago until the end of 2024, reported Finance.

DARS nearly doubles annual profit

LJUBLJANA - National motorway company DARS generated almost EUR 470 million in sales revenue in 2021, up from over EUR 398 million in 2020. The largest share of revenue - EUR 456 million - came from motorway tolls. Net profit almost doubled to EUR 112.7 million from EUR 59.5 million in 2020. DARS did not specify as it posted its financials for 2021 on Thursday how much it made from toll sticker sales and how much from toll for trucks.

Almost million people visit Slovenian pavilion at Expo

LJUBLJANA - Almost a million visitors were recorded at the Slovenian pavilion at the 2020 Dubai Expo that is closing today. More than 200 events were hosted at its business centre, which were attended by 600 companies, either as exhibitors or members of business delegations, Slovenia's Expo commissioner general Matic Volk said. The next Expo will be held in Osaka, Japan, in 2025, and Slovenia also plans to take part. The costs of an independent pavilion there would amount to about EUR 15 million.

Major fire in Gorenjska has been put out, still being watched

PREDDVOR - The major fire on the Potoška Gora and Baba hills near the town of Preddvor, some 30 km north of Ljubljana, which broke out on Monday afternoon, has been put out on the surface, as the rainfall assisted firefighters in their efforts. Efforts were continued to find hot spots over night, like on Wednesday, when the fire was already contained. "In the early morning, it finally started raining," said Andraž Šifrer, head of the firefighting effort and commander of the Kranj Firefighter and Rescue Service. A total of 1,100 firefighters have taken part in efforts to put out the fire, and four were injured.

Mini Teater and Jewish Cultural Centre director gets French order

LJUBLJANA - Robert Waltl, the director of the Mini Teater theatre and the Jewish Cultural Centre in Ljubljana, has received the Order of the Arts and the Letters of France for "deepening ties between Slovenia and France and promoting mutual respect and combating all forms of discrimination." The French Institute in Slovenia has announced that the knight grade of the order had been presented to Waltl on Wednesday by French Ambassador Florence Ferrari on behalf of the French minister of culture.

Retrospective on Pier Paolo Pasolini on show in Cinematheque

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Cinematheque is hosting an extensive retrospective on Pier Paolo Pasolini to mark the centenary of the Italian film director's birth, featuring screenings of all his feature films and several documentaries on his life and work. Dubbed Pasolini 100!, the retrospective will start today with the 1962 drama Mamma Roma, and conclude on 8 May. The retrospective is accompanied by an exhibition on Pasolini's film work, which will be on display until 30 June.