News Archive - June 2013
Positive Trend in Slovenia's External Balance Continues
28. 06. 2013
Slovenia's surplus in transactions with the rest of the world stood at EUR 280.3m or 3.4% of GDP in the first quarter of this year, on the back of strong exports and weakening imports, the Statistics Office said
US Senate passes far-reaching immigration reform bill
28. 06. 2013
The US Senate has passed a broad immigration reform bill that includes a path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants.
EU says Britain must explain surveillance programme
27. 06. 2013
The European Union Commission has written to Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague demanding answers about its surveillance programme Tempora.
Slovenia Withdrawing Its FDI, UN Report Says
27. 06. 2013
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) presented on Wednesday the 2013 World Investment Report, which sees developing countries taking over the dominating position in foreign direct investments (FDI). Slovenia last year withdrew almost US$100m of its FDI, according to the report.
Anger as the eurozone tries to stand firm
26. 06. 2013
“No one will be sheltered from austerity” – that was the message from Ireland’s prime minister as he unveiled a four-year financial plan of cuts in return for an 85 billion euro bailout.
Slovenia Celebrating 22 Years of Independence
26. 06. 2013
It is 22 years to the day on Tuesday since Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, which is celebrated every 25 June as National Day, a work-free day. The holiday marks 25 June 1991, when the Slovenian Assembly passed the Basic Constitutional Charter and the Declaration of Independence.
BIS: Central banks must end 'whatever it takes' policy
24. 06. 2013
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) says banks have done their bit to help economic recovery and now governments must do more.
Lenarčič Declared World's Top Pilot of the Year
24. 06. 2013
Pilot and photographer Matevž Lenarčič, who recently completed a flight over the North Pole in an ultralight aircraft, has been declared the world's top pilot of the year. Lenarčič has won the Flightglobal Achievement Award despite strong competition, which included Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner.
Customs Presents Changes Brought by Croatia's EU Accession
21. 06. 2013
The Customs Administration (CURS) presented the changes resulting from Croatia's accession to the EU on 1 July, explaining that this will affect Slovenian customs officers as customs control on the Slovenian-Croatian border will be abolished.
Official: US, Afghan Taliban talks to be held 'in next few days'
20. 06. 2013
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban over the war in Afghanistan will likely be held "in the next few days," a senior U.S. administration official told CNN on Wednesday.
BSH Nazarje Europe's Biggest Small Home Appliance Plan
20. 06. 2013
The Nazarje plant puts out seven million various appliances a year, BSH Slovenija boss Boštjan Gorjup said upon the 20th anniversary of BSH's presence in Slovenia.
Thousands are evacuated as exploding shells rock a Russian munitions depot
19. 06. 2013
Amateur video from mobile phones recorded numerous blasts at a military depot in southern Russia where up to 13 million shells were said to have been stored.
Slovenia Top in Freedom and Democracy
19. 06. 2013
The New York-based NGO dedicated to the expansion of democracy, Freedom House, has ranked Slovenia the best in democracy and freedom among 29 countries in transition from Central Europe to Eurasia. The report gave Slovenia an overall score of 1.89 on a scale from one to seven, with one being the best.
Greece court orders state broadcaster ERT back on air
18. 06. 2013
A Greek court has ordered that state broadcaster ERT, which was shut down by the government last week, can resume transmissions.
Mercator to Protect Interests in Agreement with Agrokor
18. 06. 2013
The managements of retailer Mercator and its Croatian buyer Agrokor will sign a cooperation agreement expectedly on Tuesday that will make part of the contract on the sale of a 53% stake in the Slovenian retailer and that would ensure Mercator's headquarters and key functions to stay in Slovenia.
Putin and Cameron hold talks ahead of G8 summit
17. 06. 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street ahead of today's G8 summit. Before leaving London the two leaders discussed Syria - a subject set to dominate the international get-together in Belfast.
SIJ Group Affected by Crisis on European Markets
17. 06. 2013
Revenues of the Russian-owned steel industry group SIJ shrank 13% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2013 due to a bad situation on the European markets. Employing just over 3,000 workers, the group generated revenues of EUR 179m and a profit of EUR 1.38m.
General strike in Greece over TV shutdown
13. 06. 2013
The Greek prime minister’s decision to shut down the public television station ERT has led to a one day general strike in the country. Journalists across all media have called an indefinite strike.The prime minister’s move has also stoked anger within the coalition government.
Sales of Diners Club Slovenija Entering Final Phase
13. 06. 2013
Payment card issuer Diners Club Slovenije, whose payment transactions licence was revoked by the central bank in mid-May due to mounting debt to merchants, said on Wednesday that the talks on the sales of the company were in the final phase. The deadline by which owner Tomaž Lovše was to repay creditors also expired today.
EU seeks reassurances from US over spying scandal
12. 06. 2013
EU officials will quiz their American counterparts over a surveillance and spying scandal later this week.
PM Bratušek in Italy and Vatican
12. 06. 2013
Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek will start a two-day working visit to Rome on Wednesday for talks with senior Italian officials. She will also be received in the Vatican by Pope Francis on Thursday.
Turkey protests: Riot police storm Taksim Square
11. 06. 2013
Turkish riot police have moved into Istanbul's Taksim Square, which has been occupied by anti-government protesters for close to two weeks.
Adria Airways Cancels Flight ahead of French Air Control Strike
11. 06. 2013
Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways has cancelled one flight as French air traffic controllers will go on a three-day strike on Tuesday in protest against the European Commission's plans to speed up the introduction of an EU-wide air traffic control system.
Swedish Royal marries British born man
10. 06. 2013
Trieste-Based Slovenian Author Boris Pahor Honoured by EU
10. 06. 2013
Acclaimed Slovenian author Boris Pahor, based in Italy's Trieste, has won this year's European Citizens' Prize, conferred on individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to mutual understanding and fostering of ties among EU nations. Pahor will receive the prize in Slovenia at the end of August, when he turns 100.
Biggest Monthly Fall in Jobless Total This Year
07. 06. 2013
Slovenia's registered jobless total fell by 2.3% in May to 118,576 in the most substantial monthly decrease this year. The figure is still 11% above the one registered by the Employment Service in May 2012.
Hungary strengthens its flood defences
07. 06. 2013
Soldiers in Hungary are preparing their defences. The Danube has crossed the country’s borders threatening its worst floods. The waters are expected to reach an all time high in the border area on Saturday while it will peak in Budapest the capital at the start of next week.
Slovenia to Further Cut Defence Budget Despite NATO Goals
06. 06. 2013
Slovenia will continue decreasing its defence budget despite the calls from NATO to at least keep defence spending level, Defence Minister Roman Jakič said at the NATO ministerial in Brussels on Wednesday. He announced a EUR 20m cut to 1.11% of GDP in the upcoming supplementary budget.
Record floods continue in North and Central Europe
06. 06. 2013
A fifth night of unrest in Turkey
05. 06. 2013
Parliament to Hold Emergency Session on Judiciary
05. 06. 2013
The National Assembly will convene Wednesday an emergency session on the state of the judiciary in the wake of the fiasco surrounding the recent disappearance of the former boss of builder Vegrad Hilda Tovšak.
Tragicomedy With Thermo Plant TEŠ 6 Investment Goes On
04. 06. 2013
The boss of power utility HSE Blaž Košorok and Peter Dermol of the TEŠ coal-fired power plant told the press on Monday that they were looking for ways to secure the extra EUR 140m needed to finish the new generator at TEŠ, whose costs have now ballooned to EUR 1.44bn. Talks with the main supplier, Alstom, will start soon.
Flooding wreaks havoc across central Europe
04. 06. 2013