Global Sales Director Kreso Coric Leaving Rimac's Company
August the 30th, 2022 - Kreso Coric, the sales director for Mate Rimac's company Rimac Automobili and the man responsible for naming the stunning Nevera, has stepped down from his position.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Kreso Coric came up with the name for Rimac's remarkable electric hypercar after developing a set of colours for the exterior and interior. Everything, according to Coric, started with ''Nevera Blue''.
Kreso Coric has held one of the most important positions within Rimac Automobili since the beginning of 2016, where he arrived after working as a business development manager at a company called Double A. Prior to that, he was regional marketing manager at Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. Since July 2021, he has been the chief commercial director of the Milanese company Zagato, and since November of the same year he has been the chief executive officer of the Croatian company Quantum Solace Consulting, Lider reports.
''What a jouney this has been. I've been here almost seven years, but it feels like I joined just a few weeks ago. I remember when Monika Mikac invited me for the first informal conversation (which honestly was more like a chat) back in 2015 about the sales position at Rimac Automobili. Without any expectations, I was given the opportunity to manage sales and everything related to it. I had zero contacts and zero knowledge about the world of cars.
Many people in the office looked down on me with derision and continuously undermined my activities. However, I overcame all that and succeeded with the support of many good people in the company, as well as my partners - I cannot thank them enough,'' Kreso Coric explained in his announcement.
''It's sad. But sometimes moving on with life starts with saying goodbye. The time has come for me to say goodbye to the Bugatti Rimac team, to all the wonderful people there, after almost seven years as Global Head of Sales. I think goodbyes are sad, so I would like to say hello and open my arms to a new adventure, so buckle up,'' Kreso Coric concluded his post.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated business section.
Kids of Ukrainian Soldiers Holidaying in Novi Vinodolski
August the 30th, 2022 - The children of Ukrainian soldiers, police officers and firefighters have been holidaying in Novi Vinodolski this summer thanks to the praiseworthy and selfless efforts of the ''Croatia helps/Hrvatska pomaze'' Association.
As Morski writes, the children of brave Ukrainian soldiers, police officers and firefighters have been enjoying some very well deserved summer holidays in Novi Vinodolski. In this way, the "Croatia helps" Association has been providing the most innocent victims of the Russian invasion of all, children, some play and fun and time to be children. The City of Bjelovar and the host town of Novi Vinodolski helped the most. Thirty-six Ukrainian children between the ages of 9 and 14 were also visited and given gifts by the Croatian ambassador to Ukraine, Anica Djamic, on Sunday.
Ten beautiful days of summer were made better for the children of Ukrainian soldiers, firefighters and police officers, who have gone through what absolutely no child should ever have to.
''The children came from different regions of Ukraine, more precisely from the occupied territories. There are children of Ukrainian soldiers and other veterans, and also children whose parents have been killed. We're very grateful to Croatia and the "Croatia helps" Association for organising this, it's very important for the children that this was done. They got to relax and enjoy the sunshine and sea in Novi Vinodolski,'' said Olesja Cuboha, Head of the Department for Youth and Prevention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
All of this was done in order to help them forget, if just for a single moment, about the horrors which are still tragically unfolding over in their homeland.
''The children really had a great time and had an active holiday. They were accompanied by social workers, animators and volunteers. They really felt good there and say that they returned feeling better,'' said Djurdja Adlesic Association "Croatia helps".
This is the second group of a total of 86 children from Ukraine who stayed on the Crikvenica-Vinodol riviera, and a visit was organised for them to several locations in the City of Zagreb as well, writes HRT.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Fifteen Years Pass Since Devastating Kornati Tragedy
August the 30th, 2022 - Fifteen whole years have passed since the devastating Kornati tragedy took the lives of twelve out of the 23 firefighters sent to the island of Kornat to battle the wildfires that had broken out there on the 30th of August, 2007.
A series of horrendous wildfires broke out between June the 1st and August the 8th, 2007, and the period is even referred to as the 2007 Croatian coast fires. The fire which broke out on the island of Kornat, part of the heavily visited Kornati National Park, became the horrific scene of the worst Croatian firefighting accident in the history of firefighting in this country.
As Morski writes, twelve tremendously brave and selfless firefighters lost their lives either at the scene on the island of Kornat, or died later on when in hospital. The only survivor at that time was 23-year-old Frane Lucic from Tisno.
In Vodice, the commemoration of another sad anniversary of the Kornati tragedy began with a parade of local fire brigades. The pilots of the 855th firefighting squadron of the HRZ also paid their respects to the firefighters with a canadair flight over the town, writes HRT.
At the monument to the victims, a model of the helicopter that flew over the Kornati National Park on the fateful day, as well as the black box from that aircraft, which was subsequently lost, were placed.
''Our message that we wanted to showcase with this is that the black box was removed from the helicopter and was lost on the day of the accident and it has still not be found, fifteen years have now passed and the question arises as to why it even disappeared in the first place,'' said Matija-Karlo Valincic, president of the Vodice Fire Brigade.
Some of the families of the fallen firefighters who lost their lives to the fire that day still think that they were doused with kerosene from a helicopter. Officially, according to experts, the Kornati tragedy was caused by different versions of a "rare natural phenomenon" - an eruptive fire, the combustion of an inhomogeneous gas mixture and a fire with an eruptive effect. In the case against former fire chief Drazen Slavica, the court rejected the possibility that the firefighters died due to the effects of kerosene. In the meantime, Slavica has been legally acquitted and will now sue the state.
Despite the passage of time and the chances of getting answers seeming to get further and further away as the clock ticks, the families whose lives have been stuck in summer 2007 ever since the Kornati tragedy aren't giving up on their search for the truth and for justice. They have jointly submitted a constitutional complaint and requests to the European Court of Human Rights.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
800+ Hours of Flight Time for Armed Forces in Croatian Skies This Summer
August the 30th, 2022 - The Air Force of the Croatian Armed Forces has spent over 800 hours flying in Croatian skies during the height of the summer season this year, as wildfire outbreaks increased in the scorching weather which created a dangerous, tinder dry landscape.
As Morski writes, since the beginning of the second part of the firefighting season this summer, the Air Force of the Croatian Armed Forces has participated in extinguishing as many as 102 wildfires in several different counties, performing 5,682 different flights in total.
Most of these interventions, as usual, took place in the coastal areas of the country, where the heatwave and droughts have caused a number of fires, some of which caused extensive damage. The one which raged near Sibenik will remain in most people's memories.
The air force put out the most fires, thirty, in Split-Dalmatia County, 24 in Zadar County, 21 in Sibenik-Knin County, 12 in Istria County, seven in Lika-Senj County, five in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, two in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and one in Sisak-Moslavina County. On firefighting tasks in II. phase of this summer's fire season, 5,682 flights were realised, about 841 hours of flying were achieved and about 28,693 tonnes of water was released in different areas.
The unmanned aerial systems team was engaged seven times and carried out about 14 flights in Croatian skies with the BZS Orbiter 3 in monitoring high-risk areas for fire outbreaks.
In addition to all of the above, as many as 49 reconnaissances were carried out by fire-fighting aircraft in the coastal counties of the country. A total of 276 requests for extinguishing wildfires have been received by the Croatian Fire Association throughout 2022 so far. On the mentioned tasks, 6,298 flights were carried out, about 948 hours of flying were achieved, and about 31,393 tonnes of water was used, the Croatian Ministry of Defense (MOD) recently announced.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Zagreb Burger Festival - 10 Delicious Days in the Heart of the City
August 29, 2022 - Zagreb Burger Festival decided to wander around a bit in the hot summer months and headed to Pula. Pula’s residents and visitors had a great time, then curiosity led the festival to Špancirfest, where it lightened up the mood for eleven days. But the time has come for it to return home because after all, home is the most beautiful place. The city is already getting ready to shine and smell like irresistible meaty goodness from September 8 to 18 at the Franjo Tuđman Square.
Burger Empire from September 8 to 18 in the heart of Zagreb
As Journal writes, new and creative concepts, craft sweets and chilled drinks await their guests at about fifteen stalls. With meat delicacies from well-known Croatian Chefs Mate Janković (Burger Institute), Ivan Pažanin (Chef's Burger by Ivan Pažanin), Marijo Mihelj (El Toro) and Nenad Komes (The Meat) and aspiring grill master and blogger Davor Šušković (BBQ Hot Yard ), whose burgers have original names, you will also be able to taste juicy burgers from Zadar with the capital Blacky (Picnic), Novi Sad (Toster) and last year's winner from Dubrovnik (Guloso), which this time found inspiration in the characters of Marin Držić.
The 4Burgers concept with smash burgers is premiering this year, and the island group Plavica from Cres is also coming.
Debutants Beg's Plant Based will take care of sophisticated palates that prefer herbal flavours, while Flying Pig from the island of Hvar successfully flirts with herbal as well as meaty flavours. That is not all, though - Doomsday has various surprises in store, which no one knows about yet. With chilled drinks, original cocktails, and fine wines, good fun is guaranteed, and an ace up the sleeve appears - Robert Hromalić with a new dessert - ice cream pie.
Entrance to the Zagreb Burger Festival is free, and the delicacies will be complemented by great music from the DJs. Where does the Flying Pig fly to and what are the secrets to preparing delicious burgers? Stop by and find out, because the Zagreb Burger Festival has become synonymous with good fun and first-class burgers. Welcome!
For more, make sure to check out our Lifestyle section.
Nenad Bjelica Sacked as Coach of NK Osijek
August 29, 2022 - Nenad Bjelica has been dismissed from his coaching duties at NK Osijek.
The club announced the news on Monday afternoon:
"We will inform the public about the decision to appoint a new coach in a timely manner.
The President of the Osijek Football Club, Mr. Ferenc Sakalj, dismissed Mr. Nenad Bjelica from his duties as the Club's sports director and coach.
In the coming days, NK Osijek will make a decision on appointing a new coach, about which it will inform the public in a timely manner.
NK Osijek thanks Mr. Nenad Bjelica for his cooperation over the past two years."
This news comes not even 24 hours after Osijek defeated Hajduk (2:1) in the SuperSport HNL 7th round at City Garden Stadium.
Although he received the support of the club's president two weeks ago, many were convinced that it was only a matter of time before he parted ways with the coach. Their relationship was irreversibly damaged already at the end of last season, and the decision to terminate cooperation was postponed until today. With many bad results, Bjelica was under increasing pressure from the public.
Bjelica arrived at Osijek at the beginning of September 2020 and led the team in 87 matches, recording 49 wins, 23 draws, and 15 losses.
In the first season, Osijek finished second place in the HNL, eight points behind the champion Dinamo, while in the second season, Osijek fell to third place, three points behind Hajduk, and ten behind the leader Dinamo.
Last season, Osijek was in the running for the championship title, almost until the very end, but Bjelica was at war with the management, which likely affected the atmosphere in the team.
Osijek was relegated from the Conference League qualifiers this season, suffering a shocking defeat against Kazakhstani club Kyzylzhar SK in the 2nd qualifying round. Last season they lost in the 3rd qualifying round against CSKA Sofia.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Brilliant Start for Croatia at LEN European Water Polo Championships in Split
August 29, 2022 - An easy win for the Croatia men's water polo team in their first match at the 35th LEN European Water Polo Championships in Split. Croatia crushed Malta 19:5 at Spaladium Arena on Monday night.
The third day of the 35th LEN European Water Polo Championships at Spaladium Arena in Split was held on Monday, which finally featured the men's competition and, of course, Croatia's Barracudas!
After the Croatia women's water polo team defeated Germany on Sunday, the men took the stage after the official opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony also welcomed the highest state, county, and city officials, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Split Mayor Ivica Puljak, and Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blazenko Boban.
"We are expecting a lot of guests, from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, ministers, representatives of the city government, heads of the boards of many Croatian companies and our partners, and most importantly, the people of Split and everyone who loves water polo to come and support both our national teams. I am convinced of a good game against Malta in a spectacular atmosphere, as well as I hope that we will reach the fight for a medal with the intimate desire to reach the final," said Perica Bukić, vice-president and executive director of the Croatian Water Polo Federation, before the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony also featured Croatian music greats Zorica Kondža, Goran Karan, Tedi Spalato, Lidija Bačić, and Ante Gelo, among others.
Croatia and Malta met in the 1st round of Group B from 21:00.
"We are looking forward to the start of the European Championship, which is the end of long preparations, a tiring summer in which we also played the World Championships. We have done everything necessary, the national team is ready for the start of the competition, and we are starting to achieve the biggest and best result possible," said coach Ivica Tucak before the match.
Match report
1st Quarter
Kharkov won the sprint for Croatia to kick off the first quarter, but the attack went without a goal. Malta's first attack was also unlucky. Loren Fatovic scored Croatia first goal with 6:53 on the clock for 1:0. Malta's next attack also went without a goal. Krzic made it 2:0 for Croatia with 6:19 left. A brilliant save by Bijac kept Croatia ahead with 3 minutes to go. The first quarter ended 2:0 for Croatia.
2nd Quarter
Malta won the swim-off for the first attack of the 2nd quarter but failed to score. Croatia did not score in their first or second attack. Malta hit the post with just over 5 minutes to go but still couldn't find the back of the net. Ivan Krapic made it 3:0 for Croatia with 5:15 left. Zuvela intercepted Malta's next attack though Kragic's shot was blocked. Croatia's defense blocked Malta's next attack, and Rino Buric had a quick counter. Buric passed to Kragic, who scored for 4:0. Buric found the back of the net with less than 2 minutes to go until the half - 5:0 Croatia! Malta's first goal of the match came with 1:09 left. A brilliant interception and one-on-one for Loren Fatovic was ultimately called for a Malta ball, and the match went into halftime 5:1 Croatia.
3rd Quarter
Malta won the swim-off of the third quarter and scored for 5:2 in their first attack. Croatia was unable to score in the next play. Kharkov's shot hit the post, which found Fatovic, who scored for 6:2 Croatia with just over 6 minutes on the clock. Luka Bukic made it 7:2 for Croatia in the next play. Kragic scored a rocket for 8:2 with 5:10 left. Kragic scored for 9:2 with less than 4 minutes to go in the quarter. Rino Buric scored for 10:2 Croatian with 2 minutes left. Fatovic scored for 11:2 with just over a minute to go before the final quarter. Fatovic scored for 12:2 with 44 seconds on the clock. Malta scored for 12:3 to end the third quarter.
4th Quarter
Zuvela won the swim-off for Croatia's first attack of the final quarter. Zuvela scored for 13:3. A penalty was called for Croatia with 6:05 on the clock, which Kragic scored for 14:3. Zuvela impressed with a backhanded move around the Malta defender and lob over the keeper for 15:3 with 5:34 left in the match. Fatovic scored for 16:3 with just over 3 minutes in the match. And it was 16:4 after a Malta goal seconds later. A brilliant play in the Croatia attack found Buric alone in front of the Malta goal to score for 17:4. Malta found the back of the net again with 2 minutes to go in the match - 17:5. Krapic scored with 39 seconds left for 18:5. And Kharkov scored the final goal of the match for 19:5 Croatia!
Croatia plays France next on Wednesday at 20:30.
Upcoming schedule of concerts at Spaladium Arena's Jana - Water City
Tuesday, August 30
21:00 – Matija Cvek
Wednesday, August 31
22:00 – Mladen Grdović
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
INA Case: Biggest Amount Frozen by Anti-Money Laundering Office Ever
ZAGREB, 29 August, 2022 - The freezing of HRK 813 million in the case involving the resale of the INA company's gas is the biggest one in the history of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, which was first informed of possible wrongdoing by banks, office director Ante Biluš said on Monday.
He told the press the amount was frozen in 16 accounts in eight commercial banks and in six open-end investment funds, adding that real estate was frozen too.
If the courts find the money was gained illegally, it will be possible to return it, he said.
Everything started with notifications from "more than one bank" and the money was blocked on Saturday, he said, adding that "the system responded on time."
Asked if he was shocked that money from gas transactions was ending up in the account of a pensioner, Biluš said "it seems a little unusual."
Speaking at the same press conference, Finance Minister Marko Primorac said the uncovering of the scam and the freezing of the money was a result of coordinated action by state bodies, which he said were professional and independent.
Asked about the responsibility of INA's management and supervisory boards, Primorac said he did not know "how these processes in INA work."
"From what I know, one person was agreeing lower prices. If some internal processes allowed that, then it's unusual," he added.
"I don't know how the decisions came to the supervisory board... Everything should be fully investigated and if there is accountability, it should be treated appropriately," the minister said.
In an operation launched on Saturday by the USKOK anti-corruption office and the police, five persons were arrested on suspicion of wrongdoing with INA's natural gas, which was sold below the market price. Allegedly, the company has been defrauded of over HRK 1 billion.
One of the suspects, INA executive Damir Škugor, told investigators he was not guilty and that the gas was sold in line with the company's business policy. Investigators say he paid the money from the contentious transactions into the bank account of his father Dane.
Cetina Spring Protection - Local Authorities, Ecologists Call for Action
August 29, 2022 - A problem escalated at Veliko Vrilo, the most beautiful river spring of Cetina. The location is not protected, but it has been used by many guests and excursionists this summer again, who keep swimming in the spring. The leader of the municipality of Civljane says that he is powerless, and ecologists appeal to the Government to protect such natural beauties.
As Poslovni writes, among the karst springs of Cetina, Glavaš or Veliko Vrilo is the most beautiful, largest, and deepest.
The shades of blue of the hundred-meter-deep abyss attract crowds of tourists to Civljane, the smallest municipality in Croatia.
However, swimming is prohibited here. At least it used to be.
Visitors couldn't even know. The prohibition sign was removed a few years ago, authority over the spring from the Public Institution Priroda was transferred to our youngest nature park - Dinara - which has not yet come to life, and this means that no one is currently taking care of the spring!
"For me, it is a national shame that people swim and sheep bathe inside the spring. A large part of our county is supplied with this water", says Miranda Mandarić from Split for HRT.
The mayor says that he is powerless, he wrote to whoever he could, but the problem has not been solved yet.
As for the already cloudy spring, if the local authorities were allowed to do so, they would have protected the area themselves.
Environmentalists started voicing their concern as well. They are asking for the urgent adoption of regulations that would finally properly protect these natural pearls.
"What is problematic is that we still do not have such documents for other nature parks and national parks, which means that for only 4 of the 20 protected areas regulations have been adopted, even though all the legal deadlines for their adoption have expired", says Zrinka Jakl of the Sunce Association for Nature, Environment, and Sustainable Development.
Someone will need to explain to curious tourists that, even though they behave politely, they are destroying the spring of an important river.
"We found out about it on Instagram, the spring is beautiful", emphasises Csaba, a tourist from Hungary.
And that way it should stay. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development is on the move. There is still time until the rush of tourists next summer.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.
Young Man Who Drew Swastika on Monument to Holocaust Victims Charged
ZAGREB, 29 August, 202 - The Varaždin police have filed a criminal complaint against a 24-year-old man who painted a swastika and the insignia of the German SS on the monument to the victims of the Holocaust in Varaždin, the police reported on Monday.
The police have completed a criminal investigation of the 24-year-old from Varaždin suspected of having painted the swastika and the symbol of the SS with silver spray on the monument to the victims of the Holocaust in Varaždin between 17 and 18 August, the police said in a press release.
After the investigation was completed, a report was filed against the suspect for the criminal offence of damaging property, the Varaždin police added.
