AGP Executive Report

RTV Slovenija Funding Fight: The European Federation of Journalists backs Slovenian journalists opposing a consultative referendum on 11 October that would abolish the mandatory RTV contribution, warning it could undermine the broadcaster’s independence and stability. Climate Crisis in the Alps: Researchers say the Triglav Glacier has shrunk to tiny ice fragments and could vanish within days, after unusually early snowmelt left the remaining ice exposed to summer heat. Tech & Domains: Slovenia’s .si domain boom is tied to the “Super Intelligence” rebrand, with AI.si listed for nearly $700,000 and registrations reportedly surging in September. Sports—Scotland vs Slovenia: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli recalls Rangers winger Findlay Curtis for Tuesday’s Nations League rematch at Hampden, with the result affecting Euro 2028 seeding. EU Budget Pressure: Seventeen EU states, including Slovenia, urge the Irish EU presidency to protect cohesion and farm funding in the 2028–2034 budget.

UEFA Nations League (Scotland–Slovenia): Scotland head to Hampden for a rematch with Slovenia on Tuesday (7:45pm UK), after ending their goal drought with a 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje under new coach Sebastien Pocognoli. Football & TV logistics: ITV says the match will disrupt soap schedules, with Emmerdale (8pm) and Coronation Street (8:30pm) overlapping the 7:45pm kick-off (coverage from 7:30pm). Slovenia in sport (cycling): Tadej Pogačar skipped the European Championships time trial at home, saying his shape is “really bad” after injury, while Remco Evenepoel won the men’s road race in a photo-finish in Slovenia. Tech & economy: Slovenia’s .si domain registrations surged after Trump’s “super intelligence” push, with 46,066 new domains in September and more than 250,000 by early October. Regional politics (Bosnia): Polls opened in Bosnia and Herzegovina for general elections with 3.4 million voters and new biometric voting tech.

European Road Cycling in Ljubljana: Luxembourg arrived with a big team for the 2–7 October European Championships, including Nina Berton and Marie Schreiber in women’s events and Alex Kirsch and Mathieu Kockelmann in the men’s time trial, with the climb up Možjanca tipped as the key test. UEFA Nations League — Slovenia hit again: Switzerland beat Slovenia 2-1 in Lucerne, turning an early deficit (Zan Vipotnik) into victory via an own goal (Erik Janža) and Dan Ndoye’s strike. Scotland vs Slovenia at Hampden: Scotland rematch Slovenia on 6 October after a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, with Andy Robertson set for another spotlight moment. Bosnia elections: Voting began Sunday for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s general elections with 3.4 million registered voters choosing a three-member presidency and 518 officials, using new biometric checks and scanned ballots. EU budget fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia, urged Ireland to protect farm and cohesion funding from cuts in the next budget talks. Road racing — Dutch dominance: Demi Vollering converted control into yet more titles in Slovenia, while Azzurra Ballan won the junior women’s road race in Šenčur.

EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia, urged the Irish EU presidency to protect farm funding and keep the Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy intact, warning proposed cuts would weaken the bloc. Slovenia in Football: Switzerland beat Slovenia 2-1 in the Nations League, with an own goal and Dan Ndoye’s strike overturning Zan Vipotnik’s opener, while Scotland also won 2-0 at North Macedonia. Scotland Spotlight: New Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli got his first win as Kieron Bowie scored early and John McGinn added a penalty; captain Andy Robertson celebrated his 100th cap. England & Spain Results: England crushed Croatia 7-0 with Kane and Saka netting twice each, while Spain stayed perfect by beating Czechia 3-1 as Lamine Yamal starred.

EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU leaders, including Slovenia’s government, have urged Ireland’s rotating EU presidency to protect the Cohesion Policy and the CAP from proposed cuts in the 2028–2034 budget talks. They warn reductions would weaken the EU and undermine support for the European project. Slovenia in the Spotlight: Slovenia’s .si domain registrations surged after Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” push, with demand for related website names driving a fast rise in new registrations. Sports—Nations League: Switzerland host Slovenia in UEFA Nations League action, while Scotland travel to North Macedonia seeking a first win under new coach Sebastien Pocognoli after a goalless draw in Ljubljana and a 3-0 loss to Switzerland. Cycling—European Champs: Demi Vollering won the women’s elite road race in Slovenia’s European Championships, attacking on the final climb to secure a dominant rainbow-jersey victory. Travel & Rail: Croatia-backed plans for an Adriatic–Ionian railway corridor would link Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, aiming to boost ports, freight and regional connectivity.

.si Domain Boom: After Donald Trump’s “super intelligence” rebrand, Slovenia’s .si registry says registrations surged—46,066 new domains in September and a spike to 12,600+ per day after the order, with Netcraft flagging speculative buying ahead of the announcement. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovenia, signed a letter urging no cuts to nearly €900 billion for farmers and cohesion policy, setting up a clash with Germany-led “frugal” demands. Local Environment: A new study finds Europe’s rivers are cleaner, but only Slovenia is improving fast enough to hit 2030 water targets. Sports—Luka Dončić: The NBA star filed a Hague Convention petition to bring his daughters from Slovenia to the United States amid an ongoing custody dispute. Scotland vs North Macedonia (Slovenia link): Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli heads to Skopje needing a win after goalless draw vs Slovenia and a 3-0 loss to Switzerland.

.si Domain Boom: After Donald Trump’s UN push to rename “AI” as “super intelligence,” Slovenia’s country-code .si domain market reportedly exploded, with thousands of new registrations in days and a surge in demand for Slovenian web addresses. EU Budget Standoff: Seventeen EU countries, including Slovenia, urged that cohesion and farm funding be protected ahead of the 2028–2034 budget talks, warning cuts would weaken the bloc’s priorities. Slovenia-Germany Ties: Germany’s foreign minister is visiting Slovenia to deepen cooperation in areas like defence, robotics, digitalisation and innovation, with meetings planned with Prime Minister Janez Janša and Slovenian firms. Long-Term Care Policy: In the GOVSI podcast, Minister Mateja Ribič discussed changes to long-term care and care-at-home, aiming for a system that works when people need it. Court Case Update: A Ljubljana civil lawsuit involving journalist Jože Možina and cultural figure Svetlana Makarovič is set to be heard again, as Možina seeks apology and damages over alleged defamation. Sports—Cycling in Slovenia: Spanish rider Héctor Álvarez won the U23 men’s road race title in Slovenia with a late solo attack, while Slovak Viktória Chladoňová took bronze in the women’s U23 race.

EU Legal Pressure on Bulgaria: The European Commission referred Bulgaria to the EU Court of Justice over incomplete transposition of electricity internal-market rules, citing gaps on network access, generation approvals, consumer participation, and regulator powers. Housing Crunch Across Europe: Eurostat data shows EU house prices up 4.7% year-on-year in Q2 2026, with rents up 3.0%; Slovenia’s rents rose 10.2%—one of the steepest increases. Slovenia’s .si Domain Boom: Slovenia’s .si registry says 44,000 domains were registered in September—up from under 2,000 in August—linked to Trump’s “super intelligence” push, though adoption by actual companies still looks limited. Telekom Slovenije Advertising Upgrade: Telekom Slovenije’s TSmedia launched local ad sales on international TV using Synamedia Iris, starting with AMC and BBC. Business & Digitalisation: Temu partnered with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce to help SMEs with digitalisation and international expansion, beginning with a webinar on online retail growth. Sports Spotlight: The UEC Road European Championships in Ljubljana kick off Oct 2, with top riders including Primož Roglič and Elisa Longo Borghini.

Telekom Slovenije & Synamedia: Telekom Slovenije, via TSmedia, has rolled out Synamedia Iris to let Slovenian brands buy targeted ad spots on major international TV channels like AMC and BBC, replacing international breaks with local campaigns. EU Consumer Credit Pressure: The European Commission has opened infringement steps against Spain over delays in adopting new EU consumer credit rules, with a deadline looming and possible court penalties. .si Domain Boom: Registrations for Slovenia’s .si domains surged after President Trump pushed to rename AI as “super intelligence,” with the registry citing a jump from under 2,000 in August to 44,000 in September. Housing Costs: Eurostat data shows EU house prices and rents keep climbing, with Slovenia among the faster-rising markets for rents. Sports—Scotland in Nations League: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli faces a must-win stretch after a goalless start and a 3-0 Hampden loss to Switzerland, with matches next against North Macedonia and Slovenia. Slovenian Cycling Update: Tadej Pogačar and Urška Žigart returned to Slovenia despite injuries ruling them out of the European Championships.

Economy Watch: Slovenia’s consumer prices rose to 3.3% year-on-year in September, up from 3.0% in August, with transport costs jumping to 6.3% and housing/utilities climbing to 8.8%, while food deflation eased to -0.7%. Digital & Business: Telekom Slovenije is expanding local TV advertising by letting Slovenian brands buy ads on international linear channels via Synamedia Iris, managed through TSmedia and currently supporting AMC and BBC. Sports (Slovenia in focus): The 2026 European Championships in Ljubljana (Oct 2–7) will feature Azerbaijan’s four cyclists, including junior Rahim Naghiyev and Nihad Khudoyev and elite Nofal Nuriyev and Shahin Eyvazov. International: A U.S.-led coalition withdrew permanently from Iraq after 23 years, with Slovenia listed among participating countries. Politics & Society: A UN Human Rights Council side event in Geneva, co-sponsored by Slovenia, discussed older people’s right to health care and access as populations age.

Slovenia Economy: Slovenia’s inflation climbed to 3.3% year-on-year in September, with transport costs jumping to 6.3% and housing/utilities rising to 8.8%, while food deflation eased to 0.7% and prices fell 0.9% month-on-month. Tech & Domains: A surge in demand for Slovenia’s .si internet domains followed Donald Trump’s push to rename “artificial intelligence” as “super intelligence” (SI), with register.si reporting an average of about 3,700 new .si registrations per day since the speech and totals above 220,000. EU Migration: Eurostat data show fewer removal orders but more actual returns in the EU in Q2 2026, with departures rising to 36,825 and most returns going outside the EU. Sports (Slovenia in focus): Slovenia’s national team beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Nations League action, while the wider European break also featured Spain’s Lamine Yamal scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Croatia.

Government Poll Shock: A Mediana poll for POP TV shows Slovenia’s Janša government losing ground ahead of 11 October referendums, with 50.2% opposing its work (36.4% support). Nations League in Slovenia: Slovenia beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Ljubljana, while Scotland’s new boss Sebastien Pocognoli suffered a 3-0 Hampden loss to Switzerland after Jack Hendry’s early red card. EU Energy Oversight: ACER says national gas and hydrogen network plans need better alignment with EU-level planning, warning of gaps in consistency that could affect cross-border investment. Ukraine Defense Update: Ukraine’s Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara visited Kyiv-region command posts to discuss adapting tactics and strengthening layered air defense against drone threats. Tech & Mobility Watch: EU regulators and national authorities continue to clear Tesla FSD Supervised country-by-country, even as an EU safety group urges rejection over a speed-offset feature.

Diplomacy Clash in Ljubljana: Slovenia’s president and prime minister are publicly at odds over who can formally invite U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit, turning a protocol dispute into a wider fight over constitutional powers and foreign-policy direction. EU Crypto Regulation: Greece has entered the EU’s MiCA register for the first time, adding four providers including Piraeus Bank, while regulators deny claims of political interference in the earlier Binance withdrawal. Tech and Transport: Tesla says its supervised Full Self-Driving has been approved in Croatia, with rollout expected soon; Slovenia is also mentioned as having cleared the system earlier this month. Local Mobility: TUI Airways will start scheduled flights from Ljubljana to Brussels and Düsseldorf in summer 2027, boosting links for both business and tourism. Internet Boom: After Trump pushed “super intelligence” branding, Slovenia’s .si domain saw a surge in new registrations, pushing totals above 220,000. Sports (Scotland vs Switzerland): Scotland hosts Switzerland at Hampden under new coach Sébastien Pocognoli, after a goalless start against Slovenia.

Luka Dončić Era Begins in LA: With LeBron James gone, the Slovenian star says the Lakers’ new leadership role feels like “a new challenge” as he returns from a hamstring layoff and targets a championship. Lakers Transition & Chemistry: Austin Reaves frames the offseason as “very bland” but focused on winning, while Doncic’s Slovenia mini-camp aimed to build chemistry with a roster packed with new faces. Scotland vs Switzerland at Hampden: New Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli is set to debut at home after a 0-0 draw in Ljubljana, betting on Billy Gilmour’s “smile” and warning players they must get regular club minutes by March. EU Justice Update: The EU Council appointed new EPPO prosecutors for Germany and Slovenia, part of a partial renewal of the office’s leadership. Slovenia’s .si Boom: After Donald Trump’s UN speech rebranding AI as “super intelligence,” Slovenia’s .si domain saw a surge of registrations—over 15% growth in September. Slovenian Decentralisation: Prime Minister Janez Janša says the first ministry is moving headquarters outside Ljubljana, with more to follow as part of coalition decentralisation plans.

Scotland at Hampden: New boss Sebastien Pocognoli tells fans to expect an aggressive, control-first approach as Scotland host Switzerland in the Nations League after a 0-0 draw in Slovenia, with Oli McBurnie admitting he “should have scored” and Stephen Welsh pointing to a strong second-half turnaround. EU energy rules: The European Commission has opened infringement cases against 18 EU states, including Slovenia, over failure to fully implement energy-sharing and free supplier-choice rules. EU defence politics: Twelve EU countries, Slovenia included, challenge France’s push for strict “European preference” defence funding rules, arguing for continued cooperation with non-EU partners. Slovenia in tech: Telekom Slovenije topped nPerf’s fixed network study for 2025/26, scoring highest overall among Slovenian providers. Sports spotlight: Brandon McNulty won the men’s elite road race world title in Montreal, ending a 33-year wait for an American champion.

Scotland in Slovenia: New boss Sebastien Pocognoli’s reign started with a 0-0 Nations League stalemate in Ljubljana, after a sluggish first half. Tactical turnaround: Scotland improved after half-time tweaks, and defender Stephen Welsh says the second-half display should energise fans ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Switzerland. Injury watch: Scotland’s plans also hinge on Scott McTominay’s return after heart surgery, while Pocognoli faces selection questions around Ben Gannon-Doak’s role. Local sport spotlight: The match also kept Slovenia’s Jan Oblak busy as Scotland created chances but couldn’t finish. Global trade note: The US partially lifted antidumping/countervailing duties on certain Indian aluminium can stock, with the decision affecting imports including from Slovenia. Culture in the region: Greece’s EMST won the European Museum Academy’s Art Museum Award 2026, beating finalists including Slovenia’s National Gallery. Business/industry: Vogelsang is revamping its slurry applicator range with production shifting via a new partner in Slovenia.