All articles tagged with #croatia
Bosnia and Croatia agreed to build the $1.5 billion Southern Interconnection gas pipeline, linking Bosnia to Croatia’s LNG terminal to reduce dependence on Russian gas, with US-backed investors AAFS Infrastructure and Energy; the EU warned the project could jeopardize Bosnia’s EU accession due to transparency concerns, while the plan also includes gas-fired plants to cut coal use.
A spring snowstorm with strong winds swept across the Balkans, especially Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, forcing school closures and road disruptions, closing major highways like Zagreb–Rijeka to truck traffic, and causing power outages as about 20 cm of snow fell in a few hours with downed trees and damaged roofs reported.
Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to authorize Russian crude transit through the Adriatic (Adria) pipeline to refineries in Hungary and Slovakia after the Ukrainian leg of the Druzhba pipeline was halted; the move relies on EU sanctions exemptions for maritime oil deliveries if pipeline flows cease. Ukraine blames Russian strikes for the disruption and calls the stoppage political blackmail, while Hungary’s Orbán government has opposed Ukraine’s EU membership, all amid broader regional diplomacy that includes a US-Hungary nuclear cooperation push.
Croatia refused Hungary and Slovakia’s request to transport Russian crude to Central Europe via the Adria pipeline after Druzhba flows through Ukraine were halted by attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, saying it won’t endanger energy security or violate EU/OFAC rules; Hungary and Slovakia had sought a sea-route workaround, underscoring EU energy-security concerns amid Russia’s war and ongoing pipeline disruptions.
Croatia has announced a national prostate cancer screening programme offering annual PSA tests for men aged 55–69, set to begin next year, as the UK debates its own stance after the UK National Screening Committee’s cautious recommendation; early data show Croatia’s five-year survival is higher than Britain's, with several other countries piloting or planning routine PSA screenings.
A silver coin smuggling case led to the discovery of a well-preserved prehistoric fortress in Croatia's Papuk Mountains, revealing sophisticated stone fortifications and a highly organized society from the Iron Age, despite some loss of context due to looting.
Zagreb's Christmas market, known as Zagreb Advent, has become a major tourist attraction and a symbol of Croatia's efforts to promote year-round tourism, with the city aiming to compete with Europe's top markets by offering diverse, themed venues and attracting visitors from across Europe, contributing significantly to the local economy and tourism growth.
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes, who ended their three-year relationship in September, were seen together in Croatia, sparking speculation about a possible reconciliation, though it remains uncertain whether they are back together or just enjoying each other's company as exes.
Croatian singer Marko Perković, known for controversial pro-Nazi displays, held a record-breaking concert in Zagreb with tens of thousands of fans performing Nazi salutes, sparking criticism from political leaders and media for glorifying fascist symbols and past atrocities.
Croatian singer Marko Perkovic and hundreds of thousands of fans performed a pro-Nazi salute at a concert in Zagreb, drawing criticism due to its historical associations with the Ustasha regime and WWII atrocities, despite legal protections for the salute in Croatia. The event highlighted ongoing nationalist sentiments and tensions related to Croatia's past, with reactions from regional leaders and authorities emphasizing the controversial nature of the performance.
A highly controversial concert by right-wing singer Marko Perkovic, also known as Thompson, drew tens of thousands of fans to Zagreb, amid security concerns and criticism over his pro-Nazi and Ustasha references, highlighting ongoing tensions over Croatia's historical memory and nationalist sentiments.
A chance discovery of an 18th-century sunken boat near Dubrovnik's old port has been made by diver Ivan Bukelic, with further research planned to study and protect the vessel, which dates back to the late 1700s.
Croatia has issued a red alert as a severe heatwave pushes temperatures to 37 degrees Celsius, with parts of central and southern Europe nearing 40 degrees Celsius. The heatwave poses significant health risks, including heat stroke, and has led to similar alerts in Italy and other European countries. Authorities are advising people to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours. This extreme weather is attributed to human-induced climate change, which is causing more frequent and severe weather events.
A major power blackout hit Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania, and Croatia's Adriatic coast amid a severe heat wave with temperatures nearing 104°F. The outage, caused by a malfunction of an interconnector in Montenegro, left almost the entire country of Montenegro and significant parts of Bosnia and Croatia without electricity. Efforts are underway to restore power, with Croatian authorities analyzing the disturbance and ramping up production capacities.
Croatia's ruling HDZ party won the parliamentary elections but will likely need to form a government with the right-wing Homeland Movement, indicating a shift to the right in Croatian politics. The HDZ's reliance on conservative and patriotic forces, as well as potential coalition partners, reflects a growing influence of right-wing ideologies in the country's political landscape. The election results suggest a move away from the EU's liberal values, with the Homeland Movement and other right-leaning parties advocating for less government interference in the economy and a sovereigntist foreign policy.