The Brežice solar power plant consists of about 13,200 photovoltaic panels and will generate 6.84 GWh of electricity a year 0 Spanning an area of six hectares, the Brežice solar power plant consists of about 13,200 photovoltaic panels, and will be able to produce 6.84 GWh of electricity a year, enough to meet the needs of some 1,800 households representing a fourth unit of the Brežice hydropower plant is also the only solar power plant in Slovenia connected to the 110 kV transmission grid The hydropower plant’s water reservoir will provide energy storage The flow-through water reservoir of the Brežice hydropower plant will provide energy storage for balancing the solar power plant’s variable output A hybrid system is about connecting different renewable energy sources and at the same time using them in the most efficient way HESS invested EUR 5.5 million in the construction of the solar power plant with EUR 750,000 provided by Slovenia’s public environmental fund Eco Fund The project was launched in August 2021 and the installation started in May 2022 and HESS received the operating permit for it earlier this month Slovenia has big plans for large-scale solar power plants Slovenia has big plans when it comes to solar energy represents “about one hundredth” of what the country intends to do with regard to large-scale solar power plants over the next ten years Kumer also announced a new regulation that will help speed up the use of renewable energy sources and innovative technologies in that field Earlier this year, Austria-based Enery secured local authorities’ support to install a 7.5 MW solar power plant on an empty lot within a highway junction in the Slovenian municipality of Divača Last September, state-owned hydropower plant operator Dravske elektrarne Maribor put into operation the first 2.5 MW portion of its Zlatoličje-Formin solar power plant whose total installed capacity will be 30 MW Be the first one to comment on this article 06 May 2025 - The island town of Novalja could become one of the first in Croatia to begin the production of green hydrogen 05 May 2025 - The delegations from the two countries met on the sidelines of the 10th summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative 05 May 2025 - The Trebinje 3 photovoltaic plant would have an installed capacity of 53.63 MW and an estimated annual production of 85.5 GWh 05 May 2025 - VDE Renewables found that SolarEdge’s advanced safety capabilities minimize photovoltaic system risks and effectively prevent fire hazards © CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2008-2020 website developed by ogitive The EYE program in Brežice is fully tailored to the wishes of the youth as they have been involved in its creation from the beginning the three-day program will include cultural and artistic workshops in photography and musical performances by popular young artists European Parliament members will share their experiences of working in the European Parliament with the youth an online campaign informed and raised awareness among young people about the role and impact of the European Parliament on our lives encouraging participation in the June elections Program of the European Youth Event - EYE Brežice Local EYE events bring a unique experience to European cities and regions offering young people across Europe the opportunity to meet each other Local EYE events are co-financed and supported by the European Parliament and organized by youth organizations to bring Europe closer to young people and empower them to become active citizens and engage with the European Parliament EYE Brežice is organized with the support of the European Parliament by the Youth Network MaMa Institute in collaboration with the Institute for Entrepreneurship Government website on various activities in Slovenia for young people professional public and all European citizens Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply The second round of the South Western qualification leg of the EMX65 and EMX85 and the third round of the EMXOpen were held this weekend in Prilipe Brezice (Slovenia) Qualifying races was held on Saturday on a very vet track and it was very difficult for the EMX 65cc class because of the small wheels and fastest time was in this class made by Eric Thomas (ESP) KTM in the EMX 85cc the best time was made by Brian Moreau Strubhart (FRA) KAWASAKI and Evgeny Tyletski (BLR) KTM made the best time in the Open class and the fastest rider was Brian Moreau Strubhart (FRA) KAWASAKI on the second place Jan Pancar (SLO) YAMAHA and on the third place Tom Vialle (FRA) YAMAHA In the second race in the EMX 85cc class was the winner Brian Moreau Strubhart (FRA) KAWASAKI on the second place came Luca Milec (SLO) HUSQUARNA the fastest rider was Gerard Congost (SPA) KTM the fastest rider followed by Eric Tomas (SPA) KTM and on the third place came Florian Miot (FRA) KTM Gerard Congost (SPA) KTM was also in second race the fastest rider on the second place came Eric Tomas (SPA) KTM and on the third place came Antonio Giordano (ITA)KTM Race was the fastest rider Jernej Irt (SLO) KTM and on the third place Petr Bartos (CZE) KTM Jernej Irt (SLO) KTM was also the fastest in this race and on the second place Andriy Burenko (UKR) SUZUKI And as number three Semen Rogozin The next round of the EMX65 and EMX85 SW is scheduled on the 22nd of June in Fernao Joanes (Portugal) The next round of the EMXOpen will be held on the 8th of June in Czluchow (Poland)  Download here FIM Europe Press Release 063/2014 | Copyright 2025 FIM Europe | Terms of use - Privacy statement | Myanmar earthquake: Working to meet the biggest needs 90% of our funding comes from individual donors. Learn how you can support MSF’s lifesaving care with a gift. We need your support to continue this lifesaving work Thousands of people are entering Slovenia each day from different points along the Croatian border While some are staying in overcrowded transit centers others are forced to spend nights outdoors Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are working alongside the Slovenian Ministry of Health in the transit center of Brezice in addition to increasing their provision of humanitarian aid elsewhere in the area Since Hungary closed its borders refugees have no choice but to take a route through Serbia and then Slovenia in order to reach Germany and northern Europe Although Slovenian authorities were prepared for their arrival the recent massive influx of people has been overwhelming with up to five times more new arrivals than expected Up to 6,000 people are arriving daily at entry points into Slovenia though the country only has capacity to accommodate 2,500 thousands of people are staying in overcrowded conditions at the Brezice transit center or staying in fields in Rigonce and Dobova Those staying outside of the transit centers have no access to shelter This is having an impact on both their mental and physical health and is leaving aid agencies struggling to deliver medical aid to every person in need With winter approaching and temperatures falling An MSF medical team has been supporting the Slovenian Ministry of Health at the Brezice transit center since October 21 are spending nights outside around the Brezice transit center with no shelter to protect them from the cold "People are extremely exhausted and there’s nothing here for them," says MSF nurse Sandra Miller "They sleep in the cold and have no place to stay The team is currently treating people mainly for exhaustion what people need most is a heated shelter and some warm soup," says MSF doctor Susanna McAllister "The lack of coordination between EU countries is creating a humanitarian crisis," says Margaretha Maleh "These people have a right to dignity and to get basic humanitarian assistance along their journey As between 10,000 and 15,000 people are currently arriving in Greece each day, the number of new arrivals in Slovenia is expected to grow, as the refugees are likely to take the Balkan route to continue their journey to northern Europe After assessing the situation on October 24 MSF will increase its medical and logistical support in the Brezice area providing medical care and helping improve living conditions Haiti violence pushes MSF trauma hospital to its limits South Sudan: MSF strongly condemns deliberate bombing of its hospital .. © Médecins Sans Frontières 2025 Federal tax ID#: 13-3433452 Unrestricted donations enable MSF to carry out our programs around the world we will reallocate your donation to where the needs are greatest After winning the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss, GM Alireza Firouzja's quick rise to the top continues. The French-Iranian started with 4.5/5 at the European Team Championship in Slovenia and is now the new world number-three in the live rankings The European Team Championships (open and women held every two years) are currently underway in Brezice a town in eastern Slovenia near the Croatian border Many of the Grand Swiss participants are also playing in Brezice Making his debut for the French team, Firouzja, rated 2770 on the FIDE November rating list, pushed GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave since the new board one has scored 4.5/5 so far the team spirit among the top two French players looks good: Team de champions 🥇 pic.twitter.com/71rKMLJIkj Together with his games in Riga, Firouzja has now gained 23.3 rating points for the December rating list, where he is virtually the world number-three—ahead of GM Fabiano Caruana and below GMs Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren Firouzja's win in round four against Turkey's GM Mustafa Yilmaz is quite impressive Challenging the dogma "don't play weakening pawn moves in front of your king," White's b2-b4 and a2-a4 are remarkable and they formed the prelude to a nice tactic:  he was leading the rating list for the first time Firouzja could theoretically surpass Ding and become the world number-two before the end of the tournament in Slovenia if he scores three more wins Here's how Firouzja got to occupy the world number-three spot: The other big change at the top is GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov's return to the top 10 Azerbaijan's board one started with 3/3 before drawing his next two games a 7.7 rating gain is currently good for Mamedyarov jumping from 11th to seventh place one in the category "don't try this at home." Defending White's 5.Bg5 with 5...f6 and the ...g7-g5-g4 follow-up two moves later looks like beginner's play elite grandmasters get away with such nonsense these days No team managed to win five or even four times there are six teams sharing first place with three wins and two tied matches: Russia France is not among them, with three wins but losses to Hungary and Armenia. Hungary's GM Benjamin Gledura is the only player in the tournament to win all of his games so far. In the clash with France, he beat GM Etienne Bacrot in a match won 2.5-1.5 by the Hungarians Russia is the favorite, as always. While their last Olympiad victory was back in 2002 when GM Garry Kasparov was still in the team the Russians next won the European Team Championship four times (2003 the average age is as low as 25.8 and the average rating 2728 The team hasn't suffered individual losses so far.  Russia's Esipenko got checkmate on the board with the black pieces GM Anish Giri followed the same path as Mamedyarov on board one for the Netherlands starting with three wins before drawing two he got to play a positional exchange sacrifice that was hard to resist: European Team Championship 2021 | Round 5 Standings (Top 20) MP=match points, SB=Olympiad-Sonneborn-Berger, GP=game points; full standings here.  The women's tournament is a different story as there Russia leads with a perfect 10 match points after five rounds Their top board, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina had finished her Grand Swiss in Riga—the open section!—with two wins and she added three more in the first three rounds in Slovenia Here's a convincing win from the third round: European Women's Team Championship 2021 | Round 5 Standings (Top 20) MP=match points, SB=Olympiad-Sonneborn-Berger, GP=game points; full standings here The European Team Chess Championships are taking place November 12-21 The format is a nine-round Swiss for teams of four players The time control is 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with a 30-second increment starting from move one.  Email: peter@chess.com FOR SUPPORT PLEASE USE chess.com/support!Phone: 1 (800) 318-2827Address: 877 E 1200 S #970397 blocking thousands of refugees still traveling from Mediterranean landing points to central and northern European countries An estimated 58,000 migrants and refugees heading to Germany and Austria have arrived in Slovenia over the last week alone The smaller Balkan countries are still straining to cope with the influx of refugees Colder weather has started making the journey even more difficult and children from war-torn and impoverished regions of the Middle East and Africa continue their journey north We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com. A collection of winning and honored images from this year’s nature-photo competition A collection of amazing recent images made with the Hubble Space Telescope Mourners of Pope Francis gathered at the Vatican, scenes from the the second weekend of Coachella 2025, a humanoid-robot half-marathon in China, and much more Images of the people, animals, and landscapes of the Earth’s arctic and subarctic regions, photographed by Olivier Morin The new kindergarten building is subordinated to the green exterior space and skillfully designed in a form of a continuous spatial loop which surrounds the entire playground. Uniform concept of the playground that starts with an extensive central atrium on the south of the plot and continues under the tract on the 1st floor to the north part of the building site, assures the feeling of safety and connectivity of the kindergarten’s departments. Courtesy of Breda Bizjak, Lidija Dragišić M.A., Katja Florjanc, Emir Jelkić, Ajda Vogelnik SajeThe experience of external space is graduated from the introverted central atrium and is suitable for the junior age groups, to the open ambience of the north part of the site for the older children, and in accordance with gradual development of child’s consciousness, further to the external space. The quality of the urbanistic idea is visible also in organic connectivity of the spatial loop with the form of the building site. Its feature rises from the remote northern playground via wide green slope to the 1st floor level. It gradually rounds up around the central atrium across the assembled ascending roofs in the east, south and west tract and concludes itself into a semi-translucent pergola of the covered playground on the building roof. Courtesy of Breda Bizjak, Lidija Dragišić M.A., Katja Florjanc, Emir Jelkić, Ajda Vogelnik SajeThe interior functional scheme of the project creates a qualitative functional connectivity of the programme and atmosphere in the space with innovative solutions of the spatial requirements. All residential spaces for children are opening to the extensive central atrium thus enabling a qualitative lighting of spaces with a great amount of sunlight. Formative design of the project is contemporary, uniform and non-intrusive to the environment. The relief dynamics of the roof is bold in conception and playful at the same time because it continues into a similarly designed relief of the playground which is structured with elongated and low elevations. The appearance of the building is conceived with a continuous membrane that corrugates in folded line throughout the whole volume, while two main entrances are folded concavely into the building. Courtesy of Breda Bizjak, Lidija Dragišić M.A., Katja Florjanc, Emir Jelkić, Ajda Vogelnik SajeLongitudinal parking and traffic areas are situated outside the building enabling the isolation of dwelling area of the children You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email the largest and fifth in the chain of six hydroelectric… 0 It is a hydroelectric power plant of the run-of-the-river and reservoir type with three vertical generating units with a combined rated discharge of 500 m3/s five spillways and an average annual production output of 161 GWh HPP Brežice will make up roughly one percent of Slovenia’s present annual electricity production and will also provide peak-load power and open up possibilities for selling ancillary services This power plant is going to be fully automated unmanned and remotely operated from the control centre The initiative to start the procedure for the preparation of the National Spatial Plan for HPP Brežice was launched in 2006 was established in 2008 with the core mission to facilitate and promote the construction of new HPPs thus engaging in sustainable competitive and environmentally friendly power production Despite the financial setbacks the company faced in 2016 the technical inspection and start of trial operation are scheduled for the end of September 2017 EMX 65The EMX 65 was dominated by three riders Russi Winner of both manches was Russi from Italy EMX 85The race started with a holeshot of home rider nr 273 Mausser He took the lead followed by two Italian riders who struggled with Hofer After half distance Hofer was the leader in front of Mausser and Italian Capuzzo At the end it was Hofer to win in front of Mauzzer and Capuzzo In the second heat Hofer and Mausser didn’t give a chance to other riders The battle for third position was between Cristino and Barcella At the end Hofer wonin front of Mausser and Cristino The overall winer was Hofer in front of Mausser and Cristino EMX OPENThe MX2 World Champion Tim Gajser raced against his father Bogo Gajser In the first manche Tim Gajser didn’t let any chances to other riders and won in front of Micek and Molnar The second manche was dominated by Tim Gajser who finished in front of Gercar and Michek Tim Gajser won the overall in front of Michek and Gercar The Slovenian government has approved an additional EUR 12.7 million to complete the unfinished infrastructure… 0 The unfinished infrastructure works that need to be completed concern nature protection measures as well as flood defense on several Sava tributaries HPP Brežice, whose installed capacity is 47.4 MW, was put in operation in 2017 operated by hydropower company Hidroelektrarne na Spodnji Savi (HESS) has an average annual electricity output of 161 GWh The activities to remediate environmental impacts of the plant’s construction are still pending it also necessary to reinforce the piers on the road bridges over the Sava and deepen its riverbed in the area in question The activities to remediate construction impacts which proved to be inadequate during the environmental impact monitoring are also pending the Slovenian government said in a statement The allocated funding is also intended for buying the rest of the land needed to build all the unfinished infrastructure and facilities 28 April 2025 - Private businesses from the EU and the Western Balkans are invited to express interest in investing in the region 21 April 2025 - Existing geothermal wells alone can enable Turkey to become one of the world's major producers of lithium 18 April 2025 - The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has developed a register of air-polluting emissions and an information system to track pollutants 16 April 2025 - Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović started her third term while new Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov is the cabinet's youngest member HESS’s 6 MW solar power plant is in trial production integrated with the company’s Brežice hydroelectric system 0 The Brežice hydropower plant in Slovenia, on the border with Croatia, got its fourth unit. But it’s not a hydroelectric generator. The facility is now a hybrid power plant as its operator, Hidroelektrarne na spodnji Savi (HESS) said it built a 6 MW photovoltaic system and combined the two sources It is located on the sediment landfill alongside the reservoir The new solar power plant is the biggest in Slovenia. The company told Energetika.net it is also the only one in the country that is connected to the 110 kV network The FEBR-D3 photovoltaic unit ensures greater flexibility in the production of electricity which is controlled by state-owned utilities HSE and GEN It received a temporary grid connection one month later HESS revealed that it expects the start of regular operation within two months As for the rest of the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, Albania’s state-owned operator KESH is developing a project for a complex hybrid power plant centered on its Vau i Dejës hydroelectric facility It has already built a solar power plant on the dam and wants to install a floating solar power plant on the reservoir The possibility to add a wind power plant is also under consideration In Turkey, the Lower Kaleköy hybrid system consists of a hydroelectric unit of 510 MW and an 80 MW photovoltaic plant Its operator Cengiz Holding wants to build and integrate a wind power plant as well Editor’s note:\u00a0 IowaPrepSports.com and The Gazette is looking for high school journalists who want experience in journalism Home / Sports Editor's note:  IowaPrepSports.com and The Gazette is looking for high school journalists who want experience in journalism, exposure for their work and promotion for their school and teams. If you would like to contribute, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com That is home for Dubuque Senior junior point guard Domen Zevnik At age 14, Zevnik was offered a chance to play basketball in the United States "When I first got the opportunity to come my parents said just go and see if you like it and I did," he said He then moved to Gainesville, Fla., where he played for Prep Academy "The Rock School." His team qualified for state his freshmen year and fell just short of qualifying his sophomore season, according to therockhoops.com an AAU coach of the Iowa Barnstormers and Iowa Mavericks asked Zevnki if he would like to come play for one of his summer traveling teams But in order to do that Zevnik would have to live in Iowa So Zevnki searched for families willing to be his host the parents of freshmen Luke McDonnell were more than happy accommodate "My parents said yes right away," McDonnell said Zevnik's family may live thousands of miles away but this does not stop him from keeping in touch "I stay up late many nights to Skype my family back home and my mom calls me every morning," Zevnik said with a big smile on his face especially during this time of the year because of the holiday season and his family not being able to watch him play basketball It seems Zevnik has had no problem adjusting to his new surroundings according to basketball coach Wendell Eimers "I feel like we are all one big family and it's been a great experience so far." "Right away we wanted to make Domen feel like he was welcomed and part of the senior family," Eimers said "He's improved a lot the past six months and I believe this is because he feels comfortable around his team Zevnik scored 12 points in the Rams' 70-41 victory over Davenport North in the first game of the season Note: Lynn is a sophomore at Dubuque Senior High School The Gazette has been informing Iowans with in-depth local news coverage and insightful analysis for over 140 years independent journalism with a subscription today © 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved Thousands of people are crossing the border from Croatia into Slovenia as authorities intensify their efforts to cope with Europe’s largest migration since the second world war Text description provided by the architects. The project for the kindergarten has been assigned with the 1st prize on the architectural competition commissioned by the municipality of Brežice in cooperation with The Chamber of Architecture and The Spatial Planning of Slovenia in 2011. The new kindergarten building  is subordinated to the green exterior space and skillfully designed in a form of a continuous spatial loop which surrounds the entire playground. Uniform concept of the playground that starts with an extensive central atrium on the south of the plot and continues under the tract on the 1st floor to the north part of the building site, assures the feeling of safety and connectivity of the kindergarten's departments. © Miran KambičThe experience of external space is graduated from the introverted central atrium and is suitable for the junior age groups, to the open ambience of the north part of the site for the older children, and in accordance with gradual development of child's consciousness, further to the external space. © Miran KambičThe quality of the urbanistic idea is visible also in organic connectivity of the spatial loop with the form of the building site. Its feature rises from the remote northern playground via wide green slope to the 1st floor level. It gradually rounds up around the central atrium across the assembled ascending roofs in the east, south and west tract and concludes itself into a semi-translucent pergola of the covered playground on the building roof. First Floor PlanThe interior functional scheme of the project creates a qualitative functional connectivity of the programme and atmosphere in the space with innovative solutions of the spatial requirements. All residential spaces for children are opening to the extensive central atrium thus enabling a qualitative lighting of spaces with a great amount of sunlight. © Miran KambičLongitudinal parking and traffic areas are situated outside the building enabling  the isolation of dwelling area of the children The Slovenian Chess Federation and the European Chess Union (ECU) have the honour to invite all senior players from all over Europe to participate in the European Senior Team Chess Championship 2024 (categories 50+ and 65+) which will take place from May 6 to May 16 in Brezice The event will be played in two age categories: 50+ and 65+ open and women’s sections separately If there is less than 8 teams in the Women’s section the respective category will be merged with the Open event with separate prizes for the best women teams The time control will be 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment for every move played The official venue of the event and the official hotel will be ****Terme Catez Hotel Each National Federation of the European Chess Union is entitled to register an unlimited number of teams in both categories: Open and Women 50+ & 65+ Each team shall consist of four (4) players and optionally one reserve player The teams may represent a National Federation or any regional structure of a National Federation (club teams but all players have to be members of the same federation Players born in 1974 or earlier are allowed to participate in the 50+ category Players born in 1959 or earlier are allowed to participate in the 65+ category The total prize fund of the event is 7.000 EUR and the distribution of prizes can be seen below Official entry forms are to be filled in and sent to the tournament office to the official email address: estcc24@gmail.com E-mail: estcc24@gmail.comOfficial website: www.estcc2024.europechess.org Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar and Director General of the Police mag Senad Jušić met today in Brežice with Mayor of the Municipality of Brežice Ivan Molan and representatives of the local communities of Rigonce In view of the recent increase in the number of illegal border crossings Mayor Ivan Molan addressed a letter to Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar inviting him together with the representatives of the local communities a proposal to increase the police presence in the mentioned areas border villages have been crossed by large groups of foreigners trying to enter the country illegally which has caused unease among community members In the period from 1 January to 31 August 2023 the police recorded 36,125 illegal entries into the country 34,501 illegal entries were recorded on the land border with Croatia The Minister and the Director General of the Police responded to the initiative and listened to the residents "We understand the difficulties people are facing which is why we are here to talk," the Minister said after the meeting adding that it was important to create a sense of safety The Minister also said that the Slovenian police are working well and efficiently focusing in particular on compensatory measures after Croatia’s accession to the Schengen area They have also been successful in arresting smugglers who profit from people’s hardships The Minister also stressed the importance of cooperation with neighbouring Croatia He called on Croatia to monitor the situation on their territory more closely "We are already cooperating with Croatia by running mixed patrols," the Minister said adding that Slovenia is also ready to step up its cooperation if Croatia asked for additional assistance in protecting the external Schengen border Statistical data and the situation in the wider region clearly show that the situation in the main countries of origin of migration is not improving Therefore the critical mass of people choosing to migrate for various reasons is increasing He added that migration management is an ongoing issue at the EU level as it is a common problem and common European solutions are needed told the meeting that the police had reinforced their presence in the area with additional patrols and technical means "I can assure you that the Slovenian police will be present wherever there is a need to further increase people’s sense of security." He also stressed the importance of the fight against smugglers in which the Slovenian police work closely with other countries in the region in which 241 people smugglers with 1,380 foreigners had been arrested Representatives of the municipality and local communities thanked the Minister and the Director General of the Police for their prompt response and visit and praised the work of the police to date Newsletter | Support us Sign up here (+30) 697 162 8938 (Signal & WhatsApp)solomon-tips@protonmail.com women who decide to terminate a pregnancy face various obstacles Within 10 minutes of the Bregna border crossing between Slovenia and Croatia is the Slovenian town of Brežice.The city has a population of about 6,000 and a general hospital and has recently become known as a “medical tourism” destination for Croatian women wishing to have abortions 58 women from Croatia crossed the border to have an abortion in Brežice The trend became widely known after Croatian state television reported on the case of a young girl who went to Brežice and managed to terminate her pregnancy which was a result of sexual abuse by a family member the young girl’s application for abortion was rejected on the grounds of “destruction of supporting evidence” Both Croatia and Slovenia have inherited abortion legislation from their Yugoslav past. In socialist Yugoslavia, the law was liberalized in 1952 in response to a significant increase in illegal abortions. The right to abortion was constitutionally guaranteed in 1974 while in 1978 the law on “Health Measures for the Attainment of the Rights of Free Choice on Childbirth” came into force Abortion in Croatia is still regulated by the 1978 law termination is possible only in exceptional cases (such as fetal abnormality) and after the decision of a special committee there is a growing number of doctors who refuse to perform abortions on the basis of conscientious disagreement The refusal for reasons of conscience is supported by the 2003 National Law on Medical Practice the physician has the right to file an objection and refuse to diagnose treat and provide rehabilitation to a patient – if it is not contrary to the rules of the profession and if it does not cause permanent damage to the health or life of the patient.” According to the information on the interactive map for “Availability of Medical Services for Abortion in Croatia,” created by two journalists in early 2019 it is almost impossible for women in the northeastern part of the country to have an abortion all gynecologists working in public hospitals are conscientious objectors It is estimated that about 60% of doctors in Croatia refuse to perform abortions “I like to compare this situation to that of conscientious objectors in the (professional) army,” gynecologist Jazenka Grujic told Solomon MAG Grujic is a member of a union of doctors and health professionals who want to restrict the ability to conscientiously object you are expected to perform in the line of duty regardless of your personal views on the matter “Doctors should provide medical services to their patients regardless of their views on abortion,” Grujic comments Conscientious objection in Croatia is not limited to doctors nurses may also refuse to help during a termination procedure on the same basis it was widely reported in the Croatian media that a woman was unable to get her prescribed birth control pills because the pharmacist cited a conscientious objection these issues of conscientious objection are closely linked to the influence of the Catholic Church in society more than 85% of Croatia’s population is Roman Catholic The Church exerts a significant influence in all areas of public life and this is most noticeable regarding issues of ​​reproductive rights and gender equality When the country had to ratify the Istanbul Convention in the spring of 2018 (Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence) the process was met with strong reactions from neoconservative groups linked to the Catholic Church Those opposed took issue with the use of the term “gender” as a “socially constructed role which can allocate society into either men or women.” Since 2015 conservative and religious organizations and opponents of abortion have been systematically organizing a “March for Life” protest against abortion calling for “respect for human life from conception to physical death.” As part of their campaign they pray in front of public hospitals where abortions are performed women who decide to terminate a pregnancy still face social stigma In neighboring Serbia, conservative groups are less visible, but Church influence continues to dominate society. “Although Serbia is a secular state, any policy promoted locally or nationally must be supported by the Church,” said Jovana Netković, a member of Belgrade’s BeFem feminist organization “I have the impression that the Church is always targeting women when it comes to the issue of birth rates This has been happening since the war during the 1990s when the call for an increase in the birth rate was a call to create new generations of soldiers,” Netković told Solomon MAG The situation is similar in Romania. “The patriarch even gives medals to doctors who refuse to perform abortions and there are religious voices that put pressure on doctors,” explains Carmen Randou of the Asociaţia Front a Bucharest-based NGO focusing on women’s rights when abortion and contraception were illegal more than 10,000 women lost their lives by performing self-abortions or seeking black-market abortions “It will probably protect us from more violent reactions (against abortions),” Randou said abortion is legal in Romania until the 14th week of pregnancy although it is not free – the procedure costs between €20 – €130 many state hospitals do not perform abortions for religious reasons (22% of hospitals refuse to perform then during religious holidays) and for moral reasons (32% of hospitals do not perform abortions at all) Although conscientious objection is not a big issue in Serbia doctors are always trying to persuade women to give birth “If you visit the doctor about any gynecological issue they will often recommend that you just give birth,” Netković explains which makes it difficult for women with lower incomes Netković notes that abortion is still surrounded by social stigma in Serbian society The same is true for all the countries of the former Yugoslavia where women who have had abortions are still plagued by prejudice (considered as having “loose morals”) and they rarely share their experiences perceptions of motherhood as being sacred continue to prevail throughout the region especially as most countries face bleak demographic prospects due to mass migration and negative population growth trends a country in the region where abortion has just become more accessible to women abortion legislation in North Macedonia served as an example to be avoided forced women to seek counseling to persuade them to continue their pregnancies – this included seeing ultrasound images of the fetus and then waiting three days before they could gain access to the procedure “We have been fighting for six years to change this law,” said Bojan Jovanovski, Executive Director of HERA (Health Education and Research Association) an NGO working in the field of HIV and sexual and reproductive health When the political environment changed in 2017 and the new social democrats were elected civil society organizations seized the opportunity a good story for the region as a whole.” “The choice to have an abortion upon request has been extended from 10 to 12 weeks of gestation and can be performed for socio-economic reasons due to rape and incest but also if there are other medical reasons without prior approval from the hospital committee (as it was before),” he explains women’s rights organizations also support legislative change on abortion a Christian NGO appealed against the 1978 Yugoslav abortion law Croatia’s constitutional court ruled that the law did not violate the Constitution but stated that parliament would have to pass new abortion legislation within two years Sania Kovacevic of the Platform Against Violation of Reproductive Rights (Obrani Pravo Na Izbor) which includes activists from various NGOs as well as “concerned citizens” tells us that their organization has filed a series of petitions for future legislation “Conscientious objection should be abolished abortion should be completely free so that all women have access to it sex education and reproductive rights should be introduced in schools,” she said the Platform has been able to bring the abortion rights debate to the public and to the mainstream media through a series of marches protests and counter-demonstrations during the annual “Right to Life” march she has seen more and more women learn about the initiative and take an interest in its goals Sanja Cesar, coordinator of CESI (Center for Education an NGO based in Croatia that works in the field of reproductive health and gender rights believes the new law should be an opportunity to improve the reproductive rights of women in Croatia that this is unlikely to happen under the current conservative government as influential conservative religious groups are calling for abortions to be banned “It is possible that the new legislation will eventually impose more restrictions such as mandatory counseling for women and longer waiting periods – as was the case in North Macedonia in the past,” Cesar concludes please consider donating and becoming a reader who makes our work possible The strong representation of Slovenian destinations among the world’s top 100 underscores Slovenia’s ongoing commitment to being one of the greenest and most sustainable countries It also strengthens the country's visibility on the international tourism map positioning it as a leader in sustainable travel Slovenia is making continuous strides on its bold sustainability journey and the annual selection of the world's top 100 green destinations confirms that this path is the right one which regularly includes Slovenian destinations highlights exceptional examples of sustainable practices that successfully link tourism with the local environment six Slovenian destinations have once again made the prestigious list as announced by Green Destinations on Tuesday Bela krajina: Preserving Nature and Enhancing Quality of Life Bela krajina proudly bearing the bronze Slovenia Green label remains a well-preserved treasure in Slovenia’s tourism landscape Its serene beauty along the Kolpa River draws visitors seeking peace and tranquillity the region encourages visits outside the high season and promotes longer stays ensuring a more intimate experience for visitors while actively involving the local community This approach not only enriches the visitor experience but also helps preserve the natural environment particularly the pristine Kolpa River and its surroundings Brežice: Leading the Way with Zero-Waste Certified Festivals Brežice a destination proudly carrying the platinum Slovenia Green label is known for its lively events and festivals with these events comes the challenge of minimizing their environmental impact Brežice has achieved zero-waste certification for its festivals The City Promenade (Mestna promenada) was the first event to receive this certification where waste was significantly reduced and sorted correctly visitors were encouraged to use public transport and event suppliers were urged to prioritize recycled and reusable materials Jeruzalem: A Dispersed Hotel Among the Vineyards In the tranquil breathtaking views and traditional cuisine this area—awarded the Slovenia Green Silver label—offers an authentic and exciting experience Jeruzalem has introduced The Jeruzalem Slovenia Dispersed Hotel guest rooms and even a hostel under one collective concept Art and Wandering in February and March Ljubljana famed for its magical December decorations and vibrant summer ambiance continues to shine even when the crowds thin Ljubljana is committed to promoting sustainable A brilliant example of these efforts is LUV Fest the Slovenian festival of love and renewal The event transforms the city with art installations This enchanting blend of love and culture proves that Ljubljana’s charm is just as captivating in the off-season Rogla-Pohorje: Year-Round Active Adventures in Nature Once celebrated as one of Slovenia's premier ski resorts Rogla has evolved into an attractive year-round destination adapting to the challenges of climate change the area transforms into a playground for outdoor enthusiasts Visitors can explore a network of themed trails or experience the thrill of the daring toboggan run The newly installed six-seater lift in Mašinžaga Park caters not only to winter sports enthusiasts – skiers and snowboarders – but also to summer adventurers including cyclists and adrenaline-seeking tricycle riders The 1.7-kilometre-long flying slide adds an extra dash of excitement during the warmer months a portion of the funds generated from cross-country skiing and ski pass sales is dedicated to preserving the region's natural environment Conveniently located near Terme Zreče Spa at the foot of Pohorje guests can easily access the mountain center via a freeshuttle bus during both winter and summer Miren Kras: Embracing Serenity in the Dreamy Karst Landscape The Peace Monument and the Cerje Lookout Tower offer not just breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea to one side and the majestic Alps to the other but also serve as poignant reminders of the enduring values of peace and coexistence among diverse cultures the Slovenia Green Gold Label-winning Miren-Kras region and Italy's Prolocco Fogliano-Redipuglia have united to create the international project Sounds of Peace - I Suoni della Pace – Zvoki miru This is a two-day hike along the Path of Peace which stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic tracing the footsteps of history through World War I monuments participants are treated to two captivating concerts featuring world-renowned musicians from both sides of the border The first concert takes place at the Cerje Peace Monument followed by another in the scenic Bersalieri Valley on the Italian side the hike is enriched with bilingual literary readings and visits to several stunning karst caves Six Slovenian Destinations among the Top 100 Green Destinations already in 2023Slovenia continues to craft inspiring green stories that resonate globally six Slovenian destinations proudly secured their place among the top 100 green destinations in the world: Kranj Welcome to the World’s First Green Destination Since 2016 Slovenia has made remarkable strides towards sustainability proudly earning the title of the world's first fully green destination Our commitment to preserving the natural wonders and cultural heritage entrusted to us by our ancestors reflects our dedication to fostering a shared responsibility for the common good we promote sustainable exploration that aligns with our values Slovenian tourism aims to attract discerning travellers in search of diverse active experiences that promote tranquility and personal enrichment We are dedicated to welcoming environmentally conscious guests who appreciate authenticity and the unique character of our local communities Guided by the 2022-2028 Slovenian Tourism Strategy we are focused on a growth approach that emphasizes "a little more and much better." This includes increasing off-peak season visitation and encouraging year-round travel to less congested regions ask for a reply The EMX65 / EMX85 European Championship heats up of the season with the first round of the South West zone in Brezice Double win for Italian rider Andrea Uccellini (Husqvarna) In the race 1 he grabbed the hole shot but in the second lap he gave the leadership to Leo Diss-Fenard (KTM) after a small mistake On lap 3 the Italian found the right pace and speed to take again the lead Behind him four riders fought for the other two step of the podium: at the end Ricardo Bauer (KTM) finished second and Sleny Goyer (GasGas) third In race 2 Uccellini gave no chances to anybody and claimed the victory One more Bauer took the second step of the podium In race 1 French rider Timotei Cez (GasGas) took the lead at the beginning and hold it to end Second position for the Croatian Roko Ivandic (KTM) Big fight for the third step of the podium At the start of race 2 once more Cez took the lead but Roko started to gain positions from the 7th place taking the lead of the race and winning the second heat Cez had to settle with the second position Behind him great fight for the third place between French rider Mathys Agullo (KTM) BrežiceThe Brežice solar power plant.Photo: GEN Energija 16 January - Last year was a landmark year for climate globally breaking records for average temperatures and marking the warmest year since systematic measurements began in the mid-19th century with unusually high rainfall and limited snowfall presented in Ljubljana on Thursday by the Environment Agency (ARSO) show that the average temperature in 2024 was about 15.1 degrees Celsius meaning 1.6 degrees above pre-industrial levels The figure thus for the first time surpassed the critical 1.5 degrees threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement we will soon reach two degrees Celsius and then it will be difficult to get back to 1.5 degrees," climatologist Gregor Vertačnik told the press the average temperature in 2024 was 11.3 degrees Celsius and August setting monthly temperature records last year was the warmest in the past 75 years It was also the third consecutive record-breaking year Both 2022 and 2023 saw temperature anomalies of around 1.3 degrees but last year was an additional half a degree warmer," explained climatologist Katja Kozjek Mihelec Slovenia has seen a steady temperature rise accelerating to 0.7 degrees per decade over the last 20 years Rainfall ranked the year as the 11th wettest in Slovenia since 1950 with certain months exceeding long-term averages by over 50% with significant snow limited to late January saw 15% higher water flow on average compared to 1991-2020 with an average temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius 0.6 degrees higher than in 2023 and thereby the highest on record hydrologists did not record a new annual maximum sea temperature last year Vojvodina will play its first friendly match in preparations for the new season and then conditioning preparations at Zlatibor on the third day of their stay in Slovenia red and whites will play a friendly match against Brežice the 14th placed team of the Slovenian Second League in the last season Football club Brežice was founded in 1919 in the Slovenian town of the same name and in its history it had no noticeable success It plays at a stadium with a capacity of 507 seats and at home performs in black and blue while on away matches it plays in orange-blue equipment The coach of the team is Slovenian Darko Karapetrović announced that today he will give a chance to play to 2 different lineups with each of them having the chance to play one half who became the new-old member of Vojvodina yesterday has also joined to red and whites last night but he is probably not going to compete for the squad today and it is more likely that it will be the case from the next friendly game Due to the heavy storm and raining that are rarely seen Vojvodina players had to cancel yesterday’s afternoon training but weather conditions are much better today so the players are expected to have no problems on this issue which will be played on one of the pitches in Terme Čatež