Split Hajduk fans involved in Romanian city brawl

The third qualifying round for the Europa League between Dinamo Bucharest and Split's Hajduk has ended in a bloody brawl as fans went on the rampage in Bucharest city centre.About half of the 50 people involved were members of Split's team fan club Torcida, while the rest were Romanian fans.Quick police intervention calmed the situation, but not before seventeen Hajduk fans were arrested, along with 15 Dinamo supporters. Two people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, but their identities are not yet known.Dinamo won the game 3-1.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Rapid want €4mn as Rangers join hunt for Jelavic

Glasgow Rangers are ready to raise their offer for Rapid Vienna star Nikica Jelavic, it has been claimed.British sports press reveal today (Thurs) that the Scottish league champs consider offering two million Euros in their attempts to procure the Croatian striker's services.Jelavic has become a target for top clubs in various European leagues after he delivered stellar performances in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League group last autumn.Portuguese giants Benfica, Premiership side Blackburn Rovers and German Bundesliga team Hamburger SV have also entered the chase for the 24-year-old former Zulte Waregem ace who is expected to be part

Italian tries to smuggle daughter across Croatian-Slovenian border in car trunk

Border officers have found a six-year-old Italian girl in the trunk of her father's car during a routine control at the Starod border crossing between Slovenia and Croatia.The 34-year-old dad had forgotten to bring his daughter's documents, and in order to avoid going back home to get them, he tried to smuggle the girl in the trunk of his car.They were kept at the border until the girl's mother arrived with the proper documents. The father and daughter then continued their trip to Croatia, the news portal Index writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Thief steals million kunas worth of jewelry from store in Zagreb

Police are hunting a gun-wielding thief who robbed a jewelry store in Dubrava neighborhood in Zagreb around 8am this morning (Tue).The masked robber forced store employees to hand over the gems before fleeing the store on foot.The value of stolen goods is estimated at one million kunas or 138,000 Euros, the Croatian daily Vecernji List writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Drunk drives into 14-year-old Czech boy

A 14-year-old Czech boy was mowed down by a drunk driver as he walked alongside his parents on a sidewalk.The 22-year-old drunk from Rogoznica (Dalmatia) lost control of his car and mounted the curb slamming into the teenager.The driver eventually came to stop after crashing into parked bikes.The Czech boy was taken to hospital with a broken collar bone.He has since been allowed home, the Croatian daily Vecernij List reports.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Isreali president Shimon Peres begins visit to Croatia

Isreali president Shimon Peres began an official visit to Croatia today (Fri) and met his Croatian counterpart and host Ivo Josipovic.During the visit, the Israeli head of state is expected to meet the Croatian PM Jadranka Kosor and visit Jasenovac memorial, the site of a World War II concentration camp.Peres is coming after a one-day visit to Ljubljana where he discussed bilateral relations with Slovenian president Danilo Türk, the Croatian Radio Television reports.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Drunk attacks Serb tourists on beach near Zadar

A Serbian man and his two teenage sons have been attacked for speaking with Serb accents.The three were holidaying on a beach near Zadar when approached by a drunk 47-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth.They first insulted the Serb family and then began hitting them.The pair were arrested and are due to appear before magistrates in Zadar, the Croatian daily Slobodna Dalmacija reports.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Cool front expected for the weekend

Temperatures over the weekend will drop while strong storm winds and showers are expected in parts of the country.After the heat wave that swept Croatia last week and the beginning of this, the weather is expected to cool down over the weekend to temperatures of mid-20s.The weather change will affect north-western parts of Croatia and north Adriatic on Saturday morning.  Meteorologist warn that thunderstorms are possible.Dalmatia will have slightly more stable weather and higher temperatures, but there is a possibility of local showers and thunderstorms.The temperatures over the weekend will be between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius inland, 26 degrees

Sparkling clean seas around Dubrovnik

Croatian beaches have been given a clean bill of health once again with almost 9 in 10 in the top quality category.Water samples from all beaches in the Dubrovnik - Neretva County in the last test conducted between 5th and 15th of July comply with the regulations guiding the quality of the sea for swimming.Samples from 101 beaches have been tested. Out of those, 92 have been evaluated as excellent, five are good, while four beaches were considered satisfactory.This even applied to Lapad Bay beach, that was contaminated on July 6th when fecal waters entered the swimming area. The next

Owner of first Croatian swinger club arrested on charges of prostitution

The owner of Croatia's first and only swinger club in Croatia has been arrested for facilitating prostitution.Zivorad Zika Andjelic, 63, has been accused of prostituting two girls in his club "Casa Swizzera" in the small Istrian town of Labinci.Andjelic brought the idea of a swinger club from Switzerland where he lived for more than 30 ears before moving to Istria."You cannot come into Europe without a swinger club," the owner once told the Croatian daily Slobodna Dalmacija."In Germany, you have around 100 such clubs, in Switzerland around 50 and in Austria around 30, and swingers, wherever they go for vacation

President addresses Democratic League of Croats in Voivodina

President Ivo Josipovic has said national minorities are the wealth of and link between Croatia and Serbia.In his speech Sunday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Democratic League of Croats in Voivodina, DSHV (north Serbia), Josipovic told the 3,000 gathered members: "You are the strongest political and civilizing force of this community and that is why you have a very important role in its preservation."He added that in Serbian President Boris Tadic he had found both "a partner and a friend" on a mutual quest for "politics of peace, cooperation and cohabitation."Tadic also addressed the crowd,

Tadic and Josipovic continue making progress in bilateral relations

Croatian and Serbian presidents Ivo Josipovic and Boris Tadic met over the weekend in Belgrade, on what was the first visit of any Croatian head of state to the Serbian capital since the 2006 dissolution of the Serbia-Montenegro union.While recognising that the road to the current good neighborly relations had been difficult and laden with problems, both confirmed their intention to push on in strengthening their countries' ties and cooperation.Included among initiatives put forward were the possibility for the citizens of both states to soon travel across borders with only ID cards instead of passports.Josipovic and Tadic said significant progress

Coaches tip Nikola Pokrivac's 'Bulls' to defend title

Four in ten Austrian Bundesliga club bosses said Nikola Pokrivac's Red Bull
Salzburg were favourites to win the 2010/2011 title.Sturm Graz
coach Franco Foda, Magna Wiener Neustadt's Peter Schöttel, Kapfenberg
manager Werner Gregoritsch as well as "Bulls" boss Huub Stevens said
today (Tues) they tipped last season's champs to win the trophy once
more.Red Bull won their third league ahead of Austria Vienna and
2008 champions Rapid Vienna, while ÖFB Cup winners Sturm Graz finished
in fourth.Mattersburg coach Franz Lederer, SV Ried boss Paul
Gludovatz, LASK Linz manager Helmut Kraft (LASK) and Wacker Innsbruck's
Walter Kogler expect last

New law punishes thieves even in death

A new law seizing the assets of dead criminals could soon come into effect, the Croatian daily Jutarnji List reports.The law, considered a big step in the fight against corruption, would allow for the confiscation of property before, during and after a criminal trial, even if the accused is deceased.Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said yesterday (Thu): "Thieves understand better when you hit their pockets – or their houses and yachts."The defendants would no longer receive protection by transferring property to their relatives or lovers, as is often done in these cases.Criminal courts would be given new powers to judge

New law punishes thieves even in death

A new law seizing the assets of dead criminals could soon come into effect, the Croatian daily Jutarnji List reports.The law, considered a big step in the fight against corruption, would allow for the confiscation of property before, during and after a criminal trial, even if the accused is deceased.Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said yesterday (Thu): "Thieves understand better when you hit their pockets – or their houses and yachts."The defendants would no longer receive protection by transferring property to their relatives or lovers, as is often done in these cases.Criminal courts would be given new powers to judge

Minister issues heat warning for Croatia

The heat wave that has hit Croatia in the last couple of days has prompted the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Darko Milinovic to issue recommendations to citizens urging them to stay inside and drink a lot of water.

Especially vulnerable groups are the elderly, those chronically ill from cardiovascular disease - and children.

Milinovic also recommends especially to avoid being exposed to the sun between 10am and 5pm. In those cases where it is necessary to spend time outdoors, he urges citizens to protect themselves with appropriate hats and sunglasses.

Staying hydrated by drinking up to 2.5 litres

143 small schools may soon lose independence

Rumours about the possible disappearance of small independent schools have been gathering pace as Parliament deliberates changes in standards that could require schools with fewer than 150 students to join larger institutions.According to the Ministry of Education, there are 143 such schools in Croatia, the effective closure of which would see directors, accountants and secretaries losing their jobs, the Croatian daily Vecernji List writes.Three of the largest school unions have now come out against the idea. Zeljko Stipic, president of Preporod said such a decision would clearly be the work of someone who has no understanding of how schools function

Actor Bozidar Oreskovic commits suicide

Croatian actor Bozidar Oreskovic has committed suicide by hanging himself in woods close to the capital Zagreb, news website Net.hr has reported.The 68-year-old actor was found in the woods near the town of Velika Gorica.During his career he took part in some of Croatia's most famous movies and TV series.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Jukic says election flop will not force him out of politics

Swimmer Dinko Jukic has said he will stay in politics regardless of the outcome of autumn's Vienna vote.Christine Marek, head of the Vienna branch of the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), revealed earlier this week that the Dubrovnik-born swimmer will run in the party's Meidling district list.The ÖVP hopes Jukic will win the support of the thousands of Croats living in Vienna.Now the European Championship medallist stressed he would not back off from the political landscape if his bid in the 10 October city election flopped."I'll definitely continue to pursue a career in politics after the election. I want to get

Ex girlfriend steals password and signs of a young man from three different universities

A vengeful ex girlfriend has been forced to apologise after stealing her former boyfriend's email password and playing havoc with his university applications.The 18-year-old girl was caught after confused ex Bruno L. couldn't understand why his name was appearing on university application lists and then disappearing.But when he called to find out what was going on, Uni registrars in Croatia said they had received emails from him asking them to cancel his application.Baffled Bruno soon guessed it must be the work of the ex-girlfriend who confessed she'd done it out of spite for being dumped.His applications are now back on

Italians without permits found working in Croatia

Three Italians have been arrested for illegally working on a pipeline that stretches along the motorway route through Lika.The Italians were employed by the "Habau - Ghizzoni d.o.o company whose headquarters are in Zagreb.The State Inspectorate said it will also file misdemeanor charges against those responsible for taking on the Italians without the proper paperwork, the Croatian daily Vecernji List writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Jukic says election flop will not force him out of politics

Swimmer Dinko Jukic has said he will stay in politics regardless of the outcome of autumn's Vienna vote.Christine Marek, head of the Vienna branch of the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), revealed earlier this week that the Dubrovnik-born swimmer will run in the party's Meidling district list.The ÖVP hopes Jukic will win the support of the thousands of Croats living in Vienna.Now the European Championship medallist stressed he would not back off from the political landscape if his bid in the 10 October city election flopped."I'll definitely continue to pursue a career in politics after the election. I want to get

Serbia and Croatia meet in Split for Davis Cup quarterfinals

Croatian and Serbian tennis teams will meet in Split's Spaladium Arena over the weekend for the David Cup quarterfinals.A fierce yet fun tournament is expected during the first meeting of the two countries' in tennis.Upon their arrival to Split, the president of the Tennis Association of Serbia Slobodan Zivojinovic was accompanied by his wife Lepa Brena, one of former Yugoslavia's best-known entertainment artists.Two police vehicles escorted the Serbian team from the airport."We did not request additional security because it is not needed," Zivojinovic said.He added that he regrets such an early meeting of the two teams."Both teams are good and

Indian takeover talks may decide Jelavic move

The outcome of takeover talks with a group of Indian businessmen is seen as the key factor over whether Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce gets the go-ahead to snatch Rapid Vienna star Nikica Jelavic.The Premiership club is reportedly ready to offer five million Euros for the Croatian national team striker who is also targeted by Portuguese champs Benfica.Jelavic, 24, scored 18 league goals last season and delivered strong performances in the Europa League last autumn. Nicknamed the "Flying Foretress", he is regarded as being among the players with the best headers in Europe.Former Newcastle United coach Allardyce expressed interest in

Indian takeover talks may decide Jelavic move

The outcome of takeover talks with a group of Indian businessmen is seen as the key factor over whether Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce gets the go-ahead to snatch Rapid Vienna star Nikica Jelavic.The Premiership club is reportedly ready to offer five million Euros for the Croatian national team striker who is also targeted by Portuguese champs Benfica.Jelavic, 24, scored 18 league goals last season and delivered strong performances in the Europa League last autumn. Nicknamed the "Flying Foretress", he is regarded as being among the players with the best headers in Europe.Former Newcastle United coach Allardyce expressed interest in

Goalkeeper Pletikosa close to Tottenham move

Croatian national team goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is set to sign up for Tottenham Hotspur, his friends have said.The player allegedly needs to only pass medical tests before he can join the English Premiership side.Croats Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka are already on the Tottenham squad.Stipe Pletikosa is currently with Russian side Spartak Moscow.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Goalkeeper Pletikosa close to Tottenham move

Croatian national team goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is set to sign up for Tottenham Hotspur, his friends have said.The player allegedly needs to only pass medical tests before he can join the English Premiership side.Croats Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka are already on the Tottenham squad.Stipe Pletikosa is currently with Russian side Spartak Moscow.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Thousands of Austrians head to Croatia

Traffic experts have warned they expect massive traffic jams this weekend in Austria as almost 500,000 students finish school today (Fri).Motorists' associations Arbö and ÖAMTC announced jams were most likely to clog the A23 Südosttangente motorway near Vienna and the A2 southern motorway this weekend as several construction and renovation projects are currently being carried out there.They added that – apart from 480,000 students in Burgenland, Vienna and Lower Austria – students in Belgium and some German states start their summer holidays this weekend.The nine-week summer holidays in Austria's other six provinces start next weekend, Austrian Times has reported.Tens of

Croatia gets a new millionaire

Lottery officials have launched a manhunt for an anonymous ticket holder who won 17.6 million kunas (2.5 million Euros).The only thing known about the winner is he turned in the winning combination - 25,33,34,13,38,14, 36 and 26 - in Slavonski Brod.Recession, crisis and all difficulties are suspended for the moment in Slavonski Broad as the city searches for its lucky millionaire, the Croatian daily Vecernji List reports.

Source: Croatian Times Online News

Police prepare for heavy summer traffic

During this tourist season the Croatian police will observe traffic from the air as well as maximize the number of patrols on the streets in order to decrease heavy accidents, the Ministry of Interior (MUP) has announced.The announcement comes after the Traffic Club Austria (VCÖ) released a study last week which shows Croatia as the most dangerous European country rated by the number of fatal traffic accidents.MUP says that the Austrian study has used old data and that the most recent numbers from 2009 show that 124 people died on the roads per million residents, instead  of 150 as the