News

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - As of Monday, November 8, primary and secondary schools in Zagreb will go back to face-to-face classes, the city's education office said on Thursday.  In case the epidemiological situation in a school worsens, the city office will, in cooperation with the "Andrija Štampar" Teaching Institute for Public Health, consider switching to online classes. The city office for education said this decision was made in line with a conclusion of the city's COVID-19 response team of November 4. This week, after All Saints' Day, schools have been holding online classes. For more, make sure to check out our dedicated…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - President Zoran Milanović on Thursday sent a letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, warning him of "unacceptable and unlawful conduct by Defence Minister Mario Banožić" and calling on him to take action to enable the normal functioning and development of the Armed Forces. In the letter, sent to Plenković on 28 October, the president claims that Banožić abused his powers by sending into early retirement the commander of the Honorary and Protection Battalion, Colonel Elvis Burčul. Minister harassing, discriminating HV officer Milanović says that Burčul's case is extremely important because it shows the minister's behavior pattern, notably…

November 4, 2021 – Brought to the Balkans by the Ottomans, Backgammon has a long history in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia. Returning after a one year absence, the 2021 Zagreb Backgammon Open is the latest evidence of the game's enduring appeal. Think of a game or a sport and you'll be able to find it in Zagreb. Really. Golf? Zagreb has Croatia's best course. Fencing? Surprisingly, at least two separate clubs/schools. Tabletop and board games? There are no less than two venues dedicated specifically for these pastimes, a further two cafes where they're a prominent part of the offer and…

November 4, 2021 – The southernmost and easternmost of Croatia's large, inhabited islands is beautiful Mljet island A long, thin stretch of volcanic rock, located off the coast of Dubrovnik, over 84% of the island is covered by dense forest. The beautifully scented trees are perfect to cycle beneath in spring and summer. Hiding in the treetops, some of the island's birds and butterflies. They're not the only creatures to call this place home. Famously, the most westerly quarter of beautiful Mljet island is designated as a National Park. Within this protected section of the island, two of Mljet's most…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - The teachers' Facebook group Staff Room on Thursday asked Education Minister Radovan Fuchs to expedite the testing of students and reduce waiting times for test results in order to contribute to curbing the spread of the coronavirus infection and reduce the need for online classes. In an open letter to the minister, the group says that over the last few weeks the epidemiological situation in schools has been deteriorating even though the ministry, in cooperation with the Public Health Institute, has done a lot to prevent schools from turning into infection hotspots. That the situation in…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - This year, Croatia's tourist industry has achieved excellent results, however, the fact that Croatia is currently red on the ECDC map could adversely affect preparations for the next season, Tourism Ministry State Secretary Tonči Glavina told the parliament on Thursday. "This year's tourist turnover has reached about 75% of the turnover in the record-high year 2019. We are preparing for the next tourist season, however, the fact that we are red on the ECDC epidemiological map causes concern," Glavina said during a discussion on amending legislation regulating the hospitality industry. He explained that preparations and bookings for organized…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - Sberbank Europe said on Wednesday that it was selling its subsidiaries in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia to the Belgrade-based AIK Bank, Slovenia's Gorenjska Banka, and Agri Europe Cyprus Limited. Sberbank Europe AG signed an agreement with AIK Banka a.d. Beograd, Gorenjska Banka d.d., Kranj and Agri Europe Cyprus Limited for the sale of its subsidiary banks in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sberbank BH d.d. Sarajevo and Sberbank a.d. Banja Luka), Croatia (Sberbank d.d.), Hungary (Sberbank Magyarország Zrt.), Serbia (Sberbank Srbija a.d. Beograd) and Slovenia (Sberbank banka d.d.), with total assets of EUR…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Wednesday evening defended Finance Minister Zdravko Marić from yet another attempt by the parliamentary Opposition to have the minister replaced, calling the opposition motion bizarre and the group of MPs who supported it as ridiculous. "The parliamentary majority rejects the motion and Minister Marić will continue doing his job to the benefit of the Croatian economy," Plenković said in a debate on a motion by 34 opposition MPs for the parliament to give Marić a vote of no confidence. He then described independent MP Karolina Vidović Krišto's presentation in which…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - Opposition MPs said on Wednesday, in a debate about a draft budget revision for 2021, that they would not support it because the expenditure was not transparent and the budget revision did not envisage the reconstruction of areas hit by last year's earthquakes or reforms.  Sandra Benčić of the Green-Left Bloc said the budget revision was an act of capitulation by the government to the post-earthquake reconstruction of Zagreb and Banovina. There were no plans for reconstruction, not even public buildings with unproblematic property-rights relations have been reconstructed, she warned. We do not know if an extension…

ZAGREB, 4 Nov 2021 - There have been 6,310 new coronavirus infections in Croatia in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily number of new cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic, Croatian Television said on Thursday, citing unofficial reports. On Wednesday Croatia logged 4,573 new infections and 41 related fatalities. The number of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients has been increasing as well. On Thursday 1,643 patients needed hospital care, including 198 who were on ventilators. Official data on the number of infections and deaths are expected to be released later in the…