WEATHER ALERT
Zelenskyy will present his Ukraine 'victory plan' to Western leaders but Biden meeting is postponed
Read full article: Zelenskyy will present his Ukraine 'victory plan' to Western leaders but Biden meeting is postponedUkraine’s president says he intends to present his “victory plan” to Western leaders this week.
Suspected gunman in Croatia nursing home killings charged on 11 counts, including murder
Read full article: Suspected gunman in Croatia nursing home killings charged on 11 counts, including murderCroatian police say a suspected gunman in a mass shooting in a nursing home in Croatia is facing 11 criminal charges after he was accused of killing six people, including his own mother, and wounding as many more.
Croatia's conservatives believe they'll soon form a majority government despite inconclusive vote
Read full article: Croatia's conservatives believe they'll soon form a majority government despite inconclusive voteCroatia’s ruling conservatives says that talks are already underway on the formation of a new governing majority following a highly contested parliamentary election that saw a far-right party emerge as a potential kingmaker.
Croatia's parliamentary election follows harsh contest between country's top two officials
Read full article: Croatia's parliamentary election follows harsh contest between country's top two officialsCroatia's upcoming parliamentary election, set for Wednesday, follows a campaign that was marked by heated exchanges between the country’s two top officials.
European Union overcomes threat of Hungary veto to seal $54 billion aid package for Ukraine
Read full article: European Union overcomes threat of Hungary veto to seal $54 billion aid package for UkraineLeaders of the 27 European Union countries have sealed a deal to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in support for its war-ravaged economy after Hungary dropped weeks of threats to veto the measure.
Fan dies in Greece after clashes between rival supporters. UEFA postpones Champions League qualifier
Read full article: Fan dies in Greece after clashes between rival supporters. UEFA postpones Champions League qualifierA 29-year-old Greek fan has died after overnight clashes between rival supporters in Athens.
A Croatian firefighter has died in a storm that swept the Balkans, bringing the toll to 6 dead
Read full article: A Croatian firefighter has died in a storm that swept the Balkans, bringing the toll to 6 deadA Croatian firefighter has died during a deadly storm that swept the Balkans after a heat wave, bringing the death toll to six, officials say.
Ukraine marks grim Bucha anniversary, calls for justice
Read full article: Ukraine marks grim Bucha anniversary, calls for justiceUkrainians are commemorating the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha after a brutal Russian occupation a year ago left behind hundreds of dead civilians, some with signs of torture, establishing the town near Kyiv as an epicenter of the war’s atrocities.
On a roll: Croatia set for new currency, borderless travel
Read full article: On a roll: Croatia set for new currency, borderless travelMore than nine years after Croatia became the European Union’s newest member, the country is on a roll to make the most of its status as the EU member in the Balkans.
EU leaders tackle inflation, energy shocks from Russia's war
Read full article: EU leaders tackle inflation, energy shocks from Russia's warEuropean Union leaders are discussing their response to the severe economic turbulence looming over the coming months as the full impact of Russia’s war sinks in and the threat of recession rises.
Live updates | UN Chief: War in Ukraine driving world hunger
Read full article: Live updates | UN Chief: War in Ukraine driving world hungerUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday he's in “intense contacts” with Russia and other countries to stop escalating global hunger exacerbated by the war in Ukraine by allowing the export of grain stored in Ukrainian ports and ensuring Russian food and fertilizers have unrestricted access to world markets.
G-7 leaders mark VE Day stressing unity, support for Ukraine
Read full article: G-7 leaders mark VE Day stressing unity, support for UkraineLeaders from the Group of Seven developed democracies have pledged to phasing out or banning the import of Russian oil, as they met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stress their support.
Croatia criticizes NATO after crash of Russian-made drone
Read full article: Croatia criticizes NATO after crash of Russian-made droneCroatian officials have criticized NATO for what they called a slow reaction to the military drone that apparently flew all the way from the Ukrainian war zone over three alliance member states before crashing in an urban zone of the Croatian capital.
Drone likely flying from Ukraine war zone crashes in Croatia
Read full article: Drone likely flying from Ukraine war zone crashes in CroatiaA drone that apparently flew all the way from the Ukrainian war zone has crashed overnight on the outskirts of the Croatian capital, Zagreb, triggering a loud blast and damaging parked cars but causing no injuries.
Major Adriatic Sea bridge connects coastline in Croatia
Read full article: Major Adriatic Sea bridge connects coastline in CroatiaA major European Union-funded bridge has been connected over the Adriatic Sea and linked two swaths of Croatia's coastline that are divided by a small stretch of Bosnia’s territory.
Canada pauses AstraZeneca vaccine for under 55
Read full article: Canada pauses AstraZeneca vaccine for under 55(Admir Buljubasic/Pool via AP)TORONTO, ONT – Canada on Monday suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for people under age 55 following concerns it might be linked to rare blood clots. Health Canada said it has not received any reports of blood clots in Canada, and the department’s chief medical adviser, Dr. Supriya Sharma, said she still believes the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks. Last week, the department changed its label on the vaccine to warn about the rare risk of blood clots. Canada is expected to receive 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca from the U.S. on Wednesday. Canada has placed bigger bets on Pfizer and Moderna, ordering up to 76 million doses of Pfizer and up to 44 million of Moderna, compared with up to 20 million of AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca confirms strong vaccine protection after US rift
Read full article: AstraZeneca confirms strong vaccine protection after US riftFILE - In this Wednesday, March 24, 2021, file photo, a health worker holds a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, during a mass vaccination campaign at San Pedro Hospital, in Logrono, northern Spain. AstraZeneca says that its COVID-19 vaccine is strongly effective even after counting additional illnesses in its U.S. study. AdEarlier this week, an independent panel that oversees the U.S. trial of the vaccine had accused AstraZeneca of cherry-picking data to tout the protection offered by its shot. The updated information “confirms that our COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective in adults, including those aged 65 years and over,” AstraZeneca research chief Mene Pangalos said in a statement. “This vaccine is so important for global health, and the disputes do not promote global health,” he said.
Spaniards line up for AstraZeneca amid concerns over vaccine
Read full article: Spaniards line up for AstraZeneca amid concerns over vaccineSpain resumed the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday by extending it to adults up to 65 years old. The European Medicines Agency said last week that the vaccine doesn't increase the overall risk of clotting. Because of concerns about its effectiveness in older people, Spain is only using AstraZeneca on key workers who are under 65. Spain and other European countries have the luxury of that choice, but they still need AstraZeneca to meet their goals. In Machakos, Kenya, Juliana Mwendu, a nurse administering AstraZeneca shots, said that more patients were coming forward after some jittery days.
The Latest: Philippine leader orders mayors investigated
Read full article: The Latest: Philippine leader orders mayors investigatedNew coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Utah have been on a downward trend since January. Ad___SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil has reached 300,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and become the second nation to top that figure. ___BOISE, Idaho — The governor of Idaho has said COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will be open to all Idaho residents 16 and up starting April 5. ___WAILUKU, Hawaii — A hospital on Maui had to throw out nearly 1,400 vaccine doses after a refrigerator thawing the vials did not properly seal. Also, COVID-19 deaths have dipped below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November.
Quake aftershocks keep people out of homes in Croatia
Read full article: Quake aftershocks keep people out of homes in CroatiaA series of tremors have jolted central Croatia a day after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people, injured dozens and left several towns and villages in ruins. (AP Photo)PETRINJA – A series of aftershocks jolted central Croatia on Wednesday, a day after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people, injured dozens and left several towns and villages in ruins. “We can’t say ‘Good morning,’ It is not good,” Petrinja mayor Darinko Dumbovic told Croatian radio. Tuesday's quake, the strongest in Croatia since the introduction of the modern seismic measurement system, was felt throughout the region, including neighboring Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia. The central Croatian region was also struck by a 5.2 earthquake on Monday.
The Latest: Vietnam has 1st local transmission in 89 days
Read full article: The Latest: Vietnam has 1st local transmission in 89 days(AP Photo/Hau Dinh)HANOI, Vietnam -- Vietnamese authorities are conducting intensive contact tracing after the country’s first confirmed local transmission of the coronavirus in 89 days. The flight attendant tested positive on Saturday, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said. The new case ended Vietnam’s streak of 89 days without any known local transmission of the virus. The country has reported 1,347 coronavirus cases, including 35 deaths. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Monday on Twitter that the record comes ahead of an “anticipated Thanksgiving acceleration” in coronavirus cases.
Thousands march in Croatia to honor war city despite virus
Read full article: Thousands march in Croatia to honor war city despite virusMilitary officers and civilians take part in a commemoration march in Vukovar, Croatia, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. Some thousands marched to commemorate the suffering of Croatia's eastern city of Vukovar during the 1991-95 war despite a continuously high number of infection and fatalities from the new coronavirus. (AP Photo)ZAGREB – Thousands on Wednesday marched to commemorate the suffering of Croatia’s eastern city of Vukovar during the 1991-95 war despite a persisting surge in new coronavirus cases in the country. The annual event is of great symbolic importance for Croatia, which is still burdened by the 1990s war. Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, but remains one of the weakest economies in the bloc, partly still because of the war.
Gunman wounds policeman in Croatia before killing himself
Read full article: Gunman wounds policeman in Croatia before killing himselfPolice officers inspect the site of shooting in Zagreb, Croatia, Monday Oct. 12, 2020. A gunman on Monday shot and wounded a police officer outside the Croatian government headquarters in the capital, Zagreb, before killing himself, police said. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)ZAGREB – A gunman on Monday shot and wounded a police officer outside the Croatian government headquarters in the capital, Zagreb, before killing himself, police said. Police said another officer at the scene fired at the attacker who fled after the shooting and later committed suicide nearby. The Index news portal said he took the weapon from his father who fought in a war in Croatia in the 1990s.
Pompeo pledges US engagement on the Balkans
Read full article: Pompeo pledges US engagement on the BalkansU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, listens as Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic speaks during a joint press conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Pompeo is in Croatia as part of his six-day trip to Southern Europe. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, Pool)DUBROVNIK – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged Friday that Washington will remain engaged in the Balkans where China and Russia have been gaining political and economic influence. On the eve of the visit, Croatia’s left-leaning president, Zoran Milanovic, criticized Pompeo for allegedly wanting to pressure Croatia to buy the U.S. aircraft. “We also discussed how American defense technologies can grow our strategic and economic relationship,” Pompeo said, adding that the purchase of the fighter jets is Croatia’s “sovereign decision.”
EU leaders overcome Cyprus veto, agree to Belarus sanctions
Read full article: EU leaders overcome Cyprus veto, agree to Belarus sanctionsA general view of the round table meeting at an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. European Union leaders are meeting to address a series of foreign affairs issues ranging from Belarus to Turkey and tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. “We have to decided today to implement the sanctions," European Council President Charles Michel told reporters after chairing the summit in Brussels. It is also unusual in that all 27 EU member countries, including Cyprus, reject the result of the Aug. 9 election that returned Lukashenko to power for a sixth term. “When a European Union member state is attacked, threatened, when its territorial waters are not respected, it’s the duty of Europeans to show their solidarity,” Macron said.
Croatia parliament approves new government after election
Read full article: Croatia parliament approves new government after electionCroatia's Prime Minister incumbent Andrej Plenkovic presents his new government's plan before the Croatian Parliament in Zagreb, Croatia Thursday, July 23, 2020. Parliament vote on Croatian new government is expected later in the day. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's government won support late Thursday in the 151-member assembly in a 76-59 vote. Plenkovic's HDZ won 66 seats in the parliament in the July 5 vote while the main opposition party gained 41. European Union member Croatia has been struggling to salvage its key tourism season, which has been ravaged by the virus outbreak.
Croats vote in close parliamentary race as virus spikes
Read full article: Croats vote in close parliamentary race as virus spikesAndrej Plenkovic, Croatia's Prime Minister incumbent smiles as he addresses the media in Zagreb, Croatia, Thursday, April 9, 2020. (AP Photo)ZAGREB Amid a spike of new coronavirus cases, voters in Croatia cast ballots on Sunday in what is expected be a close parliamentary race that could push the latest European Union member state further to the right. This means that a newcomer right-wing party led by a popular folk singer could play a key role in the future government. Plenkovic's main opponents are Restart coalition led by the center-left Social Democratic Party, the main liberal group. Some 3.8 million people are eligible to vote but analysts say virus fears could keep many at home.
Croatia mulls border restrictions for other Balkan countries
Read full article: Croatia mulls border restrictions for other Balkan countriesIn this photo taken on Saturday June 20, 2020 and provided by the Croatian Tennis Association, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, right, greets Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic at a tournament in Zadar, Croatia. (AP Photo/Mario Cuzic, Croatian Tennis Association via AP)ZAGREB Croatia on Wednesday was mulling whether to partially restore border restrictions for the citizens of several other Balkan countries after a spike in cases of the coronavirus and an outbreak at an exhibition tennis tournament organized by top-ranked Novak Djokovic. The European Union country on Tuesday reported 30 new coronavirus cases, including a dozen among nuns at a convent in a central region. Croatia has had 2,366 cases of infection while 107 people died. Dozens of new infections are being reported daily in Serbia, Bosnia and other Balkan nations that have seen a spike after relaxing anti-virus rules.
Virus cases at Djokovic's event put sports under scrutiny
Read full article: Virus cases at Djokovic's event put sports under scrutinyGrigor Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, said Sunday he tested positive for the virus. Borna Coric played Dimitrov on Saturday in Zadar and said Monday he has also tested positive for the virus. In a separate incident, Serbian soccer club Red Star Belgrade said five of its players had tested positive for the virus. There has also been an increase in virus cases among soccer players in other countries, notably Russia. Djokovics decision to fly home to Serbia before being tested has also attracted scrutiny.