pan0wski

Governments in five EU member states are “consistently and intentionally” eroding the rule of law, Europe’s leading civil liberties group has warned, while democratic standards are deteriorating in six more, including historically strong democracies.

Drawing on evidence from more than 40 NGOs in 22 countries, the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) described the governments of Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia as “dismantlers” that were actively weakening the rule of law.

First conscripts arrive at barracks for two months of basic training, as Croatia's government reintroduces obligatory military service almost two decades after it was abolished.

The first 800 conscripts arrived on Monday at three barracks, in Knin, Slunj and Požega, for two months of basic military training.

Interior Minister Davor Božinović announced Friday that Croatia is officially free of landmines. Thirty-one years after the end of the Homeland War, all known minefields have been cleared — a major milestone for the country.

The decades-long effort came at a heavy cost. Over three decades of painstaking and dangerous work, 208 people lost their lives, including 41 deminers. The total cost of clearing the country is estimated at around 1.2 billion euros.

A large protest titled “No to the Chicken Ecobomb!” was held in Zagreb on Saturday, with demonstrators voicing opposition to plans for major poultry facilities in Sisak-Moslavina County.

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At the center of the controversy is Premium Chicken Company’s proposed investment in the Sisak area, estimated at more than €600 million. The project includes a slaughterhouse with a capacity of around 84 million chickens per year. Opponents have also raised concerns about a possible biogas plant, although the company denies plans to build one.

The contract for the demolition of the Vjesnik Tower in Zagreb was signed today between Construction Minister Branko Bačić and EURCO, a construction company based in Vinkovci.

A 30-day deadline now begins for completion of the first phase of the works, which includes eliminating safety hazards and creating the conditions necessary to reopen the underpass on Slavonska Avenue. The full project - including demolition of the 16-storey skyscraper and the disposal of construction waste - must be completed within three months of the contract signing.

Seen in front of the entrance to Devín Castle.

I will also put this beautiful picture of Slovak flag flying on top of the castle:

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković spoke today following a meeting of the ruling coalition, which focused on current political developments.

Special attention was given to last week’s visit by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, as Croatia continues its efforts to join the organisation later this year.

“I believe we will meet the remaining criteria and create the conditions for membership in this important global organisation for economic cooperation and development, confirming our status among the 40 most advanced economies in the world,” Plenković said.

The dispute between local and national authorities in Zagreb over a homecoming event for the Croatian men’s handball team continued Tuesday, a day after the team returned from the European Championships with a bronze medal.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the government had acted in the public interest, while Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said he would seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court.

At the center of the controversy is hyper-patriotic rock singer Marko Perković Thompson, whose concert in the capital last summer also sparked weeks of debate. The handball team wanted Thompson to perform at the event in Ban Jelačić Square. Tomašević refused and canceled the city-organized celebration, citing objections to the performer.

They arrested him in Slovenia

Police are searching for a man suspected of killing his pregnant partner and seriously wounding her sister in a Roma community near Mursko Središće on Thursday night.

Doctors at Čakovec Hospital say the wounded young woman remains in critical condition.

Authorities have launched a cross-border manhunt after the suspect’s vehicle was found in Slovenia, Međimurje Police Chief Ivan Sokač confirmed. The suspect, 40-year-old Josip Oršuš, has a long criminal record, and police have released his photo to the public. Both Croatia and Slovenia have issued arrest warrants, warning that he is armed and dangerous.

Novak Stjepanovic was sentenced to 13 years in prison in Serbia for war crimes in Bosnia in 1992, but he had already skipped the country to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, a BIRN investigation finds.

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Thousands of people on Sunday joined protest marches in Croatia against a surging far right following a spate of incidents that have fueled both ethnic and political tensions in the European Union country.

Gatherings dubbed “United against fascism” were organized in four major cities, including the capital, Zagreb. The crowd chanted “we are all antifascists!” as they pledged to counter what they described as a bid by right-wing groups to spread fear and silence opponents.

There are also counter-protests:

Groups of young men wearing black clothes showed up in counter-gatherings in the northwestern port of Rijeka and the central coastal town of Zadar, according the Index news portal, which published photos. The same source said minor scuffles occurred with police and that one person was detained.

Zagreb’s Vjesnik building will have to be torn down, structural experts have concluded. After days of inspections and analysis, engineers determined that the fire-damaged tower is unsafe and at risk of collapse, recommending that demolition begin as soon as possible.