December 8, 2020 - The Croatia women's handball team topped Serbia in the third round of the European Championships in Denmark, thus finishing at the top of Group C!

The Croatia women's handball team played the last game of the first round of the European Championships in Kolding, Denmark tonight. Before this match, Croatia had played Serbia three times so far, recording two victories and one defeat.

Nenad Šoštarić's team already recorded two sensational victories against Hungary and the world champions the Netherlands in the first two rounds. They already secured their spot in the second round before they met Serbia. With this victory, Croatia moves onto the second round with a maximum of four points!

Dora Krsnik was the top scorer for the Croatia national team with six goals. Ćamila Mičijević scored five goals, Larissa Kalaus scored four, and Josipa Mamić scored three times. Tea Pijevic had seven saves.

Three national teams from each of the four groups go to the second round of the competition, where two groups with six teams will be formed. Croatia crosses with Group D, in which Norway has already qualified for the second round, and Romania, Germany and Poland are fighting for the remaining two places.

In the last game of Group C, the Netherlands will look for a victory against Hungary to qualify for the second round, and a draw is enough for Hungary to qualify, which would lead Serbia along.

More soon...

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, Dec 8, 2020 - Defence Minister Mario Banozic said on Tuesday that the government would decide on the procurement of fighter jets at the beginning of 2021 and that a contract to that effect could be signed in late 2021.

During his visit to the city of Petrinja today, Minister Banozic recalled that the interdepartmental commission had five more days to make its recommendation on offers forwarded to Croatia regarding its plan to provide the air force with 12 fighter jets.

Croatia has received four offers. The United States is offering the new F-16 Block 70, Sweden is offering the new Gripen C/D model, while France and Israel are offering used aircraft - Dessault Rafale and F-16 Block 30 respectively.

Banozic today praised the members of the commission for their fair and responsible work.

After they make recommendations, the government, in cooperation with the relevant parliamentary committee and the Defence Council, will make a final decision in early 2021, the minister said.

He believed that the preparations of the contract would take 6-8 months so the signing of the document could be expected in late 2021.

Banozic said that it was high time that the Croatian Air Force is provided with fighter jets so that Croatia could maintain its combat readiness.

ZAGREB, Dec 8, 2020 - The Most party parliamentarian, Nikola Grmoja, claimed on Tuesday that the national COVID crisis response team has lost trust because of the disputes that have emerged in the government's scientific advisory council and that citizens no longer believe in the measures being introduced.

"The crisis response team has lost its trust and a dispute has erupted in the government's scientific council itself. How then can people have confidence in the decisions it adopts when they are squabbling between themselves and do not want to admit that some things were done poorly. We are not asking for saints or faultless people. There isn't a country that hasn't made mistakes and this is an extraordinary situation where errors are inevitable, however if you make a mistake you say so. People would then have much more faith," Grmoja told the press in the parliament commenting on the government's 'thanking' five members of the advisory council for their help after they signed an appeal to the government criticising it for its actions.

"Since the start, I have advocated a commonsensical approach to this crisis and that the council includes more experts from various fields, not only epidemiologists, and now we have the situation that only one epidemiologist has remained in the council and that is one that was chosen along party lines - Krunoslav Capak - and I think that is not good," added Grmoja.

"I think the government has to make political decisions, and this entire time it has been doing so even though its has been hiding behind the experts but it also needs to listen to as many people as possible. If there are more people involved then the government can make sounder decisions," Grmoja believes.

Skoro: Govt dismisses anyone with a dissenting opinion

The head of the Homeland Movement Miroslav Skoro said that the COVID crisis response team has been politicised and the message to the experts in the scientific council after their appeal, is that there is no sense in cooperation and the government has excluded all their opinions.

"I believe that is just the tip of the iceberg. They will dismiss anyone who has a dissenting opinion. That is Andrej Plenkovic and his government's modus operandi. When we said that the COVID crisis response team was politicised and that it was a political body, no one believed us then. Now you can be convinced yourselves that only those who are in line with what Plenkovic says mean anything, because he probably knows more about everything including how to manage the coronacrisis and the virus itself, so that all those epidemiologists can be removed. I think that it terrible," Skoro told reporters in the parliament.

The message is that if you do not think like I do, you will be excluded and that goes for all levels. That isn't anything new and the people are aware of that but it is interesting that even though they know and can see this they still vote for them, said Skoro.

Glas: PM and govt absolutely incapable and unwilling to listen to anyone in this crisis

The Glas party commented saying that ousting scientists from the government's scientific advisory council was a move in which Prime Minister Plenkovic showed that he is absolutely incapable and unwilling to listen to anyone else in this crisis.

ZAGREB, Dec 8, 2020 - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Tuesday that the Dayton peace agreement should be amended to ensure equality and a constituent status for all of the country's three peoples as well as other citizens.

"The Dayton agreement has been transformed beyond recognition, we have been warning about it at NATO and EU meetings and now that we are members of those organisations, our voice is heard much better," Grlic Radman said in a reply to MP Marijana Petir's question while submitting a report on the implementation of the Declaration on the status of the Croat people in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019.

"Croatia cannot interfere in other countries' internal affairs, but we are following the situation and using EU and NATO mechanisms to point to the existing asymmetries and anomalies," Grlic Radman told HDZ MP Rade Simicevic who asked what the Croatian government was doing to enable Croats to elect their political representatives the way Serbs and Bosniaks did.

"We are listening to what Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina are saying, if they are dissatisfied, we are conveying their dissatisfaction, that is Croatia's role as a signatory to the Dayton agreement," he said, dismissing criticism from opposition Bridge and Sovereignists MPs that Croatia was not doing enough for Croats in the neighbouring country.

ZAGREB, Dec 8, 2020 - Scientist Ivan Djikic on Tuesday again sent an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, asking him to say why the government did not define rules to regulate the issue of conflict of interest for members of the government's Scientific Council as some of them are in a conflict of interest.

"It is evident that some of the members of the Scientific Council are in a classic conflict of interest as they have a private firm (Gordan Lauc), a private institute (Miroslav Radman) and a private hospital (Dragan Primorac) which they have not declared publicly since the Council was formed," Djikic says, wondering why a code of conduct for members of the Scientific Council for the fight against COVID-19 had not been defined.

Membership of Council continues despite conflict of interest

In his letter Djikic asks PM Plenkovic why he has allowed Lauc and Primorac, who in November declared a conflict of interest, to continue sitting on the Council, noting that the government has failed to comment on the matter.

Djikic notes that Lauc owns Genos d.o.o., a company that has validated a PCR test for COVID-19 and sells the GlycanAge biological age test, which is a good predictor of severe forms of COVID-19.

Lauc informed other members of the Council of this only on November 14, eight months after the Council was formed, even though during that period he discussed the types of testing that should be promoted and publicly spoke about these matters, Djikic says.

As for Primorac, Djikic says that the private hospital which he heads has been charging HRK 350 (approx. €46) per antigen test since October 17.

That price is among the highest in the country, he says, noting that the government has made it possible for a private business to earn very high amounts on testing without being subject to any rules or restrictions.

Suspicion of coronavirus profiteering must be confirmed or dismissed fast

"Do you feel any personal responsibility or responsibility on the part of the Croatian government for the fact that your advisers Lauc, Primorac and Radman should have declared a conflict of interest and you should have reacted to it, but did not?," the scientist asks in his letter, noting that citizens need quick answers that can confirm or dismiss suspicion of conflict of interest in healthcare and coronavirus profiteering.

In a comment on reports that the government no longer needs the services of five members of its Scientific Council who signed a public appeal while keeping the three members suspected of conflict of interest on the Council, Djikic says that confusing and contradictory claims about the coronavirus pandemic have been sent to the public for quite a while.

"With your latest act you have shown, probably most clearly so far, what you base your choice of advisers on, what you value about them and to what you are indifferent. But regardless of everything, my advice to you is to think well if the five top experts, who have worked free of charge and wholeheartedly for this country, are the ones who should be replaced," Djikic asks in reference to Andreja Ambriovic Ristov, Nenad Ban, Petra Klepac, Branko Kolaric and Igor Rudan.

Ban says no longer member, others without comment

Molecular biologist Nenad Ban told the media on Monday that he was no longer a member of the government's Scientific Council for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that his statements were based on scientific arguments.

He noted that he did not wish to criticise anyone but rather just communicate the situation and predictions based on scientific data.

There has been no comment so far from the other researchers.

Late on Monday evening, the government refuted claims that PM Plenkovic had decided to dismiss the five members of the Scientific Council who had signed a public appeal expressing their concern about the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.

ZAGREB, Dec 8, 2020 - Travel agencies are the most affected segment in the tourism and travel industry in Croatia and most of them have virtually had no business for months and in order to survive they need state support and are calling for urgent aid, the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA) said on Tuesday.

"Business operations and the survival of travel or tourism agencies is absolutely jeopardised and we have been saying that since the outbreak of the coronacrisis and that without state aid most agencies will not survive. Hence we are calling for certain measures specifically for agencies, similar to those adopted by other EU member states," UHPA president Tomislav Fain explained.

The job-retention measures have helped, he added, for agencies to keep their employees. He explained that the criteria was adapted to the real needs and demands by agencies, however Fain said "they will not stop there."

He revealed that last week he met with Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac for the talks on the problems agencies are experiencing and on compensation for agencies and tour organisers who are faced with the most difficult situation caused by the pandemic.

We discussed extending jobkeeping measures until the spring of 2021, financial support through grants and loans for liquidity along with subsidised interest.

"That is exceptionally important for tourism agencies and to assist them in compensating for payments they made to suppliers for travel that could not be conducted and to ensure guarantees in cases of insolvency occurring due to unrealised package arrangements. That is one of the main conditions to restore trust of travellers" said Fain.

December 8, 2020 – In a sea of sausages and bacon, the specialties of Slavonia where she grew up, Martina Završki dared to do something different in her homeland and sell healthy jars of soup. With her start-up symbolically named Špajz (pantry), she became the youngest entrepreneur in Osijek.

After returning from Ireland and realizing the grass is not greener abroad, Darda native Martina Završki opened a small health food restaurant called Špajz (pantry) in Osijek. At the age of only 20, Martina thus became the youngest entrepreneur in the capital of Slavonia. Today, she is 23 years old, and her start-up Špajz has become a real brand of healthy and fine soups in colorful jars.

'Slavonia is Slavonia'

By profession a dental technician, Martina realized that job was not for her. Her ambitions were much greater. Namely, she always aspired to launch something of her own.

As a child, she loved to cook, and due to her own health problems (yeast and sugar are very harmful to her), she cooked meals for school and carried them in jars. It was these jars that inspired her to start her production of healthy soups years later.

Also, observing her fellow citizens' eating habits, Martina realized that the food offer in Osijek lacks healthy and acceptable solutions. It is how she came to the idea of Špajz, but the road was not easy.

Martina's colorful jars of soup in Špajz / Photo: Facebook Špajz

However, before she ventured into entrepreneurial waters, Martina tried her luck abroad, more precisely in Ireland. It was great there, but she realized that Ireland's grass is not greener than Croatia's. Everything she could have there, she could have here.

"When you go to another country, you are always a foreigner, and it is difficult to achieve anything more. I always felt that I could make some bigger change and that I was not ordinary. My heart was drawn back home," said Martina and concluded that Slavonia is Slavonia.

'All things in Osijek fail'

At first, Martina even wanted to open a pastry shop, but she was afraid that she would fail because she was self-taught, so she and her parents recalled her jars of healthy food.

Three years ago, they co-wrote the project of today's Špajza, which was approved, and they got some money to start with.

"I received support for self-employment, and it was my initial capital and beginning. It was tough to open something of my own because I am not in that profession, nor do I have someone in my family who is a caterer. Besides, I decided to open a restaurant of healthy food in a sea of sausages and bacon," admitted Martina.

Martina presenting her healthy jars / Screenshot YouTube Startaj Hrvatska

At first, people did not take this young Slavonian seriously, mostly because of her whistling voice, but she soon proved that she has the will and desire to do and achieve something of her own.

"Some believed in me and were happy about me, and some told me that I should give up, that I would fail, because all things in Osijek fail," Martina told Nova TV.

Soups are better than bakery products

"Naruči, protresi, ustima prinesi "(translated as "Order, shake, bring to your mouth ") is the slogan of the Špajz, and Martina is happy to allow her fellow citizens to eat something healthy in Špajz, and not to go to the bakery.

"People buy my jars because they don't have the time to cook. The jar has no preservatives. Everything is natural. The vegetables come from local family farms, and there are no harmful substances inside," said Martina, adding that her soups are one complete meal in a jar.

"Soups have the longest shelf life, and I think everyone should eat something nice and healthy with a spoon," said Martina.

Photo: Facebook Špajz

Her soups are like light stews – low in calories, tasty, filling, and practical. In addition to fresh vegetables, these soups are made special by natural spices such as rosemary and basil, and olive and pumpkin oil are added to the soups.

All four types of soups are prepared according to a simple recipe. The menu includes vegetable soup of carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, butternut soup with basil and pumpkin oil, carrot and celery soup with olive oil, rosemary, turmeric. The latest in the offer is a tomato and basil soup with garlic, olive oil, and pepper.

The taste of these soups is irresistibly reminiscent of the fine home-made cuisine of Croatian mothers and grandmothers. It is not said in vain that soup heals both body and soul.

Family support most important

Along with these fine jars, coffee, smoothies, and squeezed juices can also be found on the shelves of the "pantry." This year, Martina also included fine Gugelhupf of seductive aromas of ginger, cinnamon, and orange in the Christmas offer. However, since Martina's catering business is currently closed due to epidemiological measures, all products are delivered to people's home addresses, and there is a possibility of pick up in Špajz.

Thanks to Martina's participation in the TV show Startaj Hrvatska, produced by Nova TV, her jars of soup became even more popular. Namely, the TV show helps such small entrepreneurs to place their excellent and innovative products on store shelves. Therefore, you can now find Martina's jars of soups in Interspar supermarkets throughout Croatia.

Martina and her jars of soup / Photo: Facebook page Špajz

"I stand behind my products because they summarize all my efforts and work," says Martina.

Špajz, as Martina says, is a finished whole. Of course, she always tries to design new products, and her further wish is to open Špajz in other cities of Lijepa Naša.

"I always dreamed of launching my products and Špajz to another city. At the moment, the opportunity has not yet opened up for me, but I am young, and I still have a lot of time," said Martina, adding that with the great help and support of her family, she is where she is today.

To read more news about Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

December the 8th, 2020 - Signify Hrvatska, a leading Croatian lighting company which is known and respected internationally, has pointed out just how Croatia could save an enormous amount of money each and every year by making certain alterations.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/PD VL writes, Signify Hrvatska, a leading lighting company, is also a leader in sustainable business. Martina Simic Baranovic, the CEO of Signify Hrvatska, has explained just how they, as an international company, can help customers create their own Green Plan, achieve considerable savings and make their way to doing much more sustainable business easier.

In addition to having know-how from global markets and a number of successful projects and savings for clients under their belt, Signify Hrvatska is a company that does business with partners from both the private and public sectors.

''Across the world, 19 percent of electricity went to lighting back in 2006, and by 2018, with the switch to LED lighting, consumption was reduced to 13 percent. By the year 2030, a reduction down to a mere 8 percent is expected, although the number of lighting fixtures will be increase by 35 percent. It's all possible by continuing using LEDification and using IoT technology. These figures clearly show how important lighting is in green planning around the world. That's precisely how it is with each individual user, lighting renovation is a great tool for achieving energy savings and reducing CO2 emissions.

The results are immediately visible and easy to measure. Quality and a partner you can count on for at least ten years are invaluable things. A quality and sustainable product is the one that achieves the highest energy savings, has the longest durability, offers serviceability, spare parts at least during the warranty period, and the best ones use recycled materials and offer a declaration of sustainability. Also for maximum savings, products that allow smart management should be considered. We offer all that to our customers,'' explained Simic Baranovic.

Significant savings

Behind them are a number of projects, and Signify Hrvatska's CEO singles out just some of them, for example, in the office segment lies the exceptional project The Edge, the building of the famous company Deloitte.

''It's one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, with 40,000 square metres, 6,500 Power over Ethernet lamps and over 3,000 sensors, with another 5,000 in preparation for upgrading to the Interact office system. This building has the highest BREEAM rating in the whole world -98.36. The Edge uses 70 percent less electricity than a comparable average office building. They're even energy positive and they continuously measure the level of presence, lighting, humidity, and the temperature.

It's important to state that LED-connected lighting, in addition to energy savings, helps them maintain maximum efficiency in the use of information space regarding people's movements. Here in Croatia, there are also excellent examples of energy-efficient buildings that have achieved LEED certificates, such as the Adris building in Zagreb or the administrative building of the Lidl retail chain,'' said Simic Baranovic.

Smart cities

When it comes to the world of outdoor lighting, Signify Hrvatska has successfully equipped a number of large smart cities such as Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Jakarta, cities that have replaced over 100,000 lamps with smart street lamps and thus achieved great savings.

''Los Angeles achieved 63 percent in savings and eliminated 47,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition to energy savings, they've enabled people to be able to move more safely, resulting in a reduction in crime rates of more than 20 percent, and a reduction in road accidents by 30 percent at night.

We recently undertook a particularly interesting project on the remote island of Leipsoi in Greece. Parts of the island didn't have any electricity, which prevented night movement and overall safety. Solar lamps have been installed that use only solar energy, and additionally have motion sensors, so they use that energy only when passers-by need it,'' Signify Hrvatska's CEO added.

She also cited another good example from the commercial segment, the retail chain Marks & Spencer, which has used thousands of 3D printed products on its path to sustainability for 50 stores that have a positive impact on the environment.

D3D printing has numerous benefits that help with sustainability, it uses 100 percent recyclable polycarbonate, recyclates production residues, is lightweight and reduces fuel consumption in transportation, consumes far less energy than casting aluminum for a similar product. Signify Hrvatska was the first and only company to be able to deliver large quantities of custom and professional 3D technology luminaires,'' said Simic Baranovic.

She also noted that Signify Hrvatska's solutions are present in all business sectors, and they are especially interesting for the public sector, where the biggest savings can be made.

More and more possibilities...

"I mentioned the example of Los Angeles, but we can also translate all of that to here in Croatia. We did some interesting research on the lighting market in different European countries, and in the health, education and road lighting sectors.

Colleagues here in Croatia estimated the possible annual savings in road lighting at 113 GWh of electricity, in the health system 33 GWh and in education 96 GWh. This has been translated into CO2 emissions of over 50,000 tonnes per year, and translated into financial savings of more than 25 million euros annually,'' she explained, noting that the great interest of the public sector in lighting has been stimulated in recent years and various financing models through EU programmes and other such mechanisms have begun.

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