Croatian Employers Association Launching Underage Drinking Prevention Action
May the 27th, 2022 - The Croatian Employers Association (HUP) is launching a praiseworthy initiative aimed at the prevention of underage drinking, which continues to pose a very real issue across the world.
As Novac/Jutarnji writes, the Croatian Employers Association is launching activities for the public and for those in the hospitality and catering sector, with the aim of providing additional information on the importance of the moderate and responsible consumption of alcohol, as well as responsible serving of alcohol in restaurants to encourage the proper prevention of underage alcohol consumption.
One of the activities of the Croatian Employers Association in this regard is the launch of an online educational page called www.konzumirajodgovorno.hr (consumeresponsibly) where readers can find useful information on the impact of alcohol on the body and on overall health, warnings about groups for which alcohol consumption isn't at all recommended, with special emphasis placed on the negative impact of alcohol on minors.
The site contains useful tips and educates parents on how to approach and talk to their children and other young people when it comes to alcohol. With this initiative, Croatia has joined other European countries which work to promote responsible alcohol consumption as part of the campaign and the international website www.responsibledrinking.eu.
This branch of the Croatian Employers Association simultaneously launched a quiz on responsible alcohol consumption across eleven European countries and supported a project launched by spiritsEUROPE, a European association that brings together the spirits sector through 31 national associations. The quiz provides guidance and answers to key questions about moderate alcohol consumption, explains the differences between moderate and excessive alcohol consumption, contains tips on responsible consumption and explains the differences between different alcoholic beverages. The quiz can be accessed via the website konsumirajodgovorno.hr or directly via the link: http://edapp.click/spiritseu-hr.
In addition to educating the public, the aforementioned association has also developed a platform for online educational training on the responsible serving of alcohol intended for the hospitality sector. Entitled "I serve responsibly", it aims to reduce irresponsible alcohol consumption, and point out the problem of juvenile alcohol consumption, as well as to promote catering and hospitality facilities that serve alcohol responsibly.
"Raising awareness among both the public and among those working with alcohol in a professional sense is key to encouraging responsible behaviour, which is why we've launched a series of activities to highlight the importance of moderate and responsible alcohol consumption, the prevention of juvenile alcohol consumption, and the need for education on potentially dangerous situations such as driving under the influence, with the goal of building responsible behaviour in the community in which we operate and do business. Consumers must have access to information to know the effects of alcohol on their health, and those working with alcohol should contribute to the promotion of moderate and responsible consumption through doing responsible service and business,'' said Zoran Maksic of HUP.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Croatian Soldiers to Get Atlantic Group's "Super Sweets" in Survival Kits
May the 27th, 2022 - Croatian soldiers are set to be given so-called ''super sweets'' from Emil Tedechi's wildly successful company, Atlanric Group (Grupa), in their survival kits.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Brnic writes, Croatian soldiers will once again have packets of the only Croatian-made ''compressed sweets'' that can replace meals in extraordinary circumstances.
The Ministry of Defense announced that a contract with the Atlantic Group and as such Cedevita, worth 607,000 kuna, had now been concluded. The procurement of these “energy bombs” which work to keep the body functioning when food isn't available was carried out through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulation in the field of defense and security.
Such a procedure has been justified by the fact that it is the only such product, in the development of which, in addition to the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology and Atlantic, the Croatian Ministry of Defense itself actually participated.
Croatian soldiers have been using these compressed super sweets for ten years now, and the packages are intended for six days of human survival. As a rule, they are used by special forces, pilots, sailors and soldiers when on missions.
One packet of these super sweets every day is enough for a soldier to avoid a hypoglycemic attack when in extreme situations. The current regulations also prescribe the use of these meal replacement sweets as an energy supplement in the regular diet of Croatian soldiers, but the Ministry of Defense explained that they are not usually used in regular activities, but they must be in stock to be made immediately available for any given time they might well be needed.
The shelf life of these Atlantic Group-made compressed sweets is an impressive four years. Here in Croatia, Atlantic Group is the only company to produce this form of food, and although the company counts on breaking their sweets into the so-called Survival ration packages of other NATO armies around thw world, it is, as it turns out, still a very difficult market to try and conquer.
For more, make sure to check out Made in Croatia.
FinMin Says Gov't Considering New Set of Measures to Counter Inflation
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - A new package of measures to help Croatians to address inflationary pressure is very likely to be prepared, we are working on it, Finance Minister Zdravko Marić said on Thursday after a meeting of coalition partners, however, he stopped short of saying when those measures could enter into force.
The new package of anti-inflationary measures is being discussed in the government and in the coalition, Marić said.
"We will see when it is ready, we are working on it," he said.
According to Marić, the new package "is very likely given the development of events," and it will include state aid in the form of guarantees to gas suppliers, primarily the HEP national power supplier, in order to facilitate the provision of gas supplies for the next season.
The priority is to cushion the effects of inflation and ensure energy supplies and food products, said Marić.
Asked whether the price hikes in stores were justified, Marić said that it is difficult to make general assessments because prices are impacted by a series of elements.
Commenting on complaints by the hospitality sector related to the recent "tax massacre," Marić said that these were regular activities by the Tax Administration that "protects the interest of taxpayers who meet all their tax liabilities in an orderly manner."
During the pandemic, the state showed solidarity with the services sector, primarily in hospitality and now it "expects the same at least from the other side."
He said that supervision revealed certain irregularities with a smaller number of hospitality providers. He warned that increased turnover was recorded where supervision was stepped up and significant disproportion was identified with entry (supplies) compared with exit data. As such the Tax Administration can react and that is what it is doing. Marić underscored that this is a regular activity conducted by the Tax Administration.
For more, check out our politics section.
Ukrainian, Croatian Actors Protest in Cannes Against Censorship of Images of War
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - Ukrainian filmmaker Maksym Nakonechny and actors in his film "Butterfly Vision", including Ukrainian and Croatian actors, held a protest against social-media censorship of Russia's invasion, on Wednesday in Cannes before the premiere of this film.
The group covered their faces with content-warning signs and held a banner that read "Russians kill Ukrainians. Do you find it offensive and disturbing to talk about this genocide?”, while air raid sirens were played over the speaker system.
Among the protesting actors were Croatians Daria Lorenci Flatz and Edvin Liverić, who played roles in the film. The film is a Croatian minority co-production and is co-produced by Anita Juka (for 4Film), the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) reported on Thursday.
Butterfly Vision, which premiered globally in Cannes, is "a harsh and surreal story about a Ukrainian woman named Lilia who, after spending months as a prisoner of war after the Donbas Conflict a few years ago, struggles to return to her life as a soldier and wife in her homeland, refusing to be labeled a victim." The script was co-written by Maksym Nakonechnyi and Iryna Tsilyk, says HAVC.
Lorenci Flatz was quoted as saying that she was happy to see that the film had won rounds of applause from a sympathetic audience in the Debussy theatre in Cannes.
For more, check out our lifestyle section.
Court Finds Same-Sex Couples May Be Evaluated for Adoption, NGO Says
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - The Dugine obitelji (Rainbow Families) NGO said on Thursday the High Administrative Court delivered a precedent ruling that all life partners may be evaluated for adoption suitability and must not be discriminated against on sexual orientation grounds.
"They can no longer discriminate against you based on sexual orientation, they can turn you down based on some criteria," said the NGO's president, Daniel Martinović.
He said there might be difficulties based on discrimination, but hoped there would not be any, calling on everyone who encountered obstacles to contact the NGO.
The court dismissed the relevant ministry's argument that same-sex couples should not be assessed for adoption for the sake of "protecting the child's interest", he said, adding that the ministry can no longer appeal.
Dugine obitelji said the ruling had far-reaching consequences for LGBTIQ and same-sex couples' rights as it practically equated their rights and those of married couples. The ruling allows all same-sex couples to decide to start a family by adopting, it added.
Life partners Mladen Kožić and Ivo Šegota, whom the family ministry rejected for adoption in 2016 because they had become life partners, said they were happy with the ruling and the fact that "after six years state institutions will start treating our family as all other families."
In April 2021, the Zagreb Administrative Court found in favour of Kožić and Šegota, but the ministry appealed the ruling. After a year, the High Administrative Court dismissed the appeal.
For more, check out our politics section.
Croatian Cup Final: Hajduk Beats Rijeka for First Trophy in 9 Years!
May 26, 2022 - Hajduk beat Rijeka 3:1 in the Croatian Cup final on Thursday at Poljud for their first trophy in 9 years!
Hajduk and Rijeka met in the Croatian Cup final tonight at a sold-out Poljud Stadium in Split.
Interestingly, in all four Croatian Championship matches this season, Rijeka was more successful at Poljud (1:2 and 1:3), and Hajduk fought back at Rujevica, winning 2:3 last fall and 0:3 a few weeks ago.
Rijeka last won the Cup two years ago, while Hajduk had been waiting for any trophy for nine years, last winning the Cup in 2013.
Rijeka and Hajduk have won the Cup six times in independent Croatia.
Lineups
HAJDUK: L. Kalinić, Mikanović, Ferro, Elez, Melnjak, Fossati, Grgić, Sahiti, Krovinović, Mlakar, Livaja; Hajduk was without Nikola Kalinić due to a virus.
RIJEKA: Labrović - Krešić, Velkovski, Smolčić - Ampem, Selahi, Čerin, Vukčević - Pavičić - Obregon, Drmić
Recap
Hajduk showed they were hungry already in the first two minutes of the match, maintaining possession with Melnjak taking the first shot on goal. Livaja shot over the crossbar a minute later.
Rijeka found their rhythm in the next few minutes and pushed up into Hajduk's half. Hajduk had a good chance from a free kick in the 8th minute which Melnjak headed over the post.
While Hajduk had the chances it was Rijeka to capitalize on theirs first. A breakaway for Drmić and a goal for 1:0 Rijeka.
Hajduk had their first corner in the 16th minute and continued to push into Rijeka's half. Krovinović just missed the goal in the 20th minute.
Hajduk had another corner a minute later. And another in the 23rd minute. Ferro equalized for Hajduk for 1:1 in the 24th minute!
The match was back and forth for the next 5 minutes. Rijeka had a dangerous free kick in the 31st minute which deflected off of Hajduk’s defense and into Kalinić’s hands.
Melnjak was found in the penalty area in the 33rd minute, though his shot deflected for another Hajduk corner. And then Melnjak finally got his chance - he scored for 1:2 Hajduk in the 36th minute!
Smolcic was shown his second yellow in the 41st minute, forcing Rijeka to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. It was 1:2 for Hajduk at halftime.
Hajduk had their first corner of the second half already in the 47th minute. And another in the 51st. The match was back and forth for the next 5 minutes until a tragic Rijeka mistake in the defense helped Melnjak to his second goal of the match for 1:3 Hajduk!
Another corner for Hajduk in the 60th minute - they were beginning to outclass Rijeka now.
Mlakar was subbed off for Colina and Vukovic for Grgic as Hajduk's first subs 61st minute.
Rijeka subbed off Lepinjica for Selahi and Muric for Pavicic a minute later.
Livaja had a super chance in the 67th minute which went out for a corner. He was hungry to score. Another breakaway for Livaja moments later went over the post.
Hajduk dominated for the next 10 minutes, leaving Rijeka without much of a chance to attack.
Rijeka's first real chance of the second half came in the 80th minute but they shot over the goal.
Sahiti was subbed off for Biuk moments later.
Biuk forced a corner on his first touch in the 82nd minute. Livaja weakly shot to keep it 1:3 for Hajduk.
Rijeka had a. corner in the 84th minute and Stanic was subbed off for Cerin.
The match came to a halt in the 90th minute as Rijeka's fans launched flares into the VIP section. And the match came to an end - Hajduk is the Croatian Cup champion!
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated sports section.
Senior Year Students Perform Nazi Salute, Ministry Condemns Incident
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - The Science and Education Ministry on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms a case in Slavonski Brod where senior-year students of a local secondary school took a photo of themselves with their right hand raised in the air.
The students posed for a photo with their teacher on the last day of school, wearing camouflage trousers, black berets, and black T-shirts with the message "For muck-up day ready", an allusion to the salute "For the homeland ready", used by Croatia's World War II Nazi-allied Ustasha regime.
The ministry said that it had requested more information on the case from the school and that it would act accordingly, expressing confidence that other competent institutions - the school management, prosecutorial authorities, and police - would do the same.
Incitement to violence and hate is punishable under the laws on public order, public assembly, prevention of violence at sporting events, prevention of discrimination, and the Penal Code, the ministry said.
The senior-year students of the Slavonski Brod Industrial and Craft School posed for a photo with their teacher, who later posted the photo on her Facebook account, the local SB plus news portal reported. The web portal also published also a photo of the school leavers walking in a procession through the city center.
For more, check out our politics section.
Jandroković Reassures Ukrainian Official of Croatia's Continuing Support
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - Croatia supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue providing Kyiv with humanitarian, political, and technical assistance, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Thursday in Zagreb at a meeting with a deputy chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Olena Kondratiuk.
The Ukrainian deputy parliament speaker thanked Croatia for the support it has extended so far to her country, including the reception of several thousand refugees.
A press release issued by the Sabor quotes Jandroković as saying that he conveyed Croatians' strong solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
Croatia, which itself was a victim of military aggression in the 1990s, can understand the grave situation that Ukrainian defenders and people are now experiencing, reads the press release.
Kondratiuk informed Jandroković of the current military and humanitarian state of affairs in Ukraine and notified him of Ukraine's efforts to be granted EU candidate status.
In this context, she thanked Croatia for its support to Ukraine's European aspirations and also for assistance in mine clearance and in the rehabilitation and treatment of wounded war veterans and for offering its experience in the peaceful reintegration of occupied areas and post-war reconstruction.
For more, check out our politics section.
Croatia Logs 421 New COVID-19 Cases, Five Related Deaths
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - In the past 24 hours, 421 coronavirus cases, out of 3,379 tests, and five related deaths were registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Thursday.
There are 2,939 active cases, including 222 hospitalized patients, five of whom are on ventilators, while 1,193 persons are self-isolating.
To date, Croatia has registered 1,135,549 coronavirus cases, the death toll is 15,978, and 70.79% of the adult population has been vaccinated, including 68.73% fully.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language if it isn't English.
Russia Says Disappointed with Croatia's Hostile Behaviour
ZAGREB, 26 May 2022 - Russia is disappointed with the hostile actions of the Croatian authorities in recent months, but hopes their mutually beneficial cooperation will be restored, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement was released on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Croatia and Slovenia, and the latter is also accused of "destroying bilateral relations."
Croatia and Slovenia have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and joined in European sanctions against Moscow. As part of those measures, Zagreb in April expelled 18 Russian diplomats and six members of administrative staff.
"Unfortunately, the Croatian authorities have in recent months adopted a hostile position towards Russia that is in stark contrast with the quality of our bilateral relations, destroys their foundations and causes serious damage to the true interests of people in the two countries," the statement says.
Such destructive behaviour, it says, represents a "baleful approach that has no future".
"We believe common sense will prevail, and Croatia will return to the path of constructive dialogue, based, among other things, on the awareness of geopolitical realities and true national interests," the statement said.
Speaking of Slovenia, Moscow said that it was disappointed by its government's decision to take "entirely unprovoked hostile actions" aimed at "destroying bilateral relations despite the historical logic of their development."
"We are confident that such policy on the part of Slovenian authorities, which is contrary to the true interests of our friendly peoples, will eventually give way to a balanced position natural for Russian-Slovenian relations," the Russian ministry said.
For more, check out our politics section.
