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Croatia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Croatia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Zagreb

Head of State

President Zoran Milanović

Head of Government

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

A man refuels his car in a petrol station in Villeneuve d’Ascq, north France, on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Nato

Serbia confirms it owns Chinese supersonic missiles after photo leak

13 Mar 2026 - 6:47AM

Donald Trump

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

9 Feb 2026 - 11:57AM

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

Some of China’s manufacturing industries, including the new-energy sector, have been plagued by low-price competition, or involution. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

4 Sep 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

European Union

Europe’s ‘out of control’ wildfires hit tourism spots, forests

Europe battles record wildfires as a heatwave scorches Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, threatening towns, tourism, and ecosystems.

12 Aug 2025 - 9:03PM

European Union

Right-wing Croatian singer performs pro-Nazi salute with fans

One of Marko Perkovic’s most popular songs starts with the dreaded ‘For the homeland – Ready!’ salute, used by Croatia’s Nazi-era puppet Ustasha regime.

6 Jul 2025 - 9:31PM

Fans of Croatian nationalist singer Marko Perkovic Thompson gather at the Zagreb hippodrome during a concert by the singer, in Croatia on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Art

Searing Catholic murals given new life at ‘Sistine Chapel of Pittsburgh’

Croatian-American artist fused Catholic iconography with biting commentary on war, capitalism, migrant labour. 90 years on, murals restored.

11 Jun 2025 - 4:15AM

US-China trade war

Diplomats call for renewed world order to confront Trump tariff chaos

Multilateralism is the only way to preserve peace and order, Croatian envoy tells Beijing conference.

23 May 2025 - 10:48PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Balkan hotel’s turbulent century, from glamorous guests to Gestapo

Elizabeth Taylor hung out in its bar, world leaders were its guests, wars intruded. The Hotel Esplanade Zagreb has seen a lot in 100 years.

3 May 2025 - 9:53PMvideocam

The Hotel Esplanade in Zagreb. Photo: AFP

Tourism

Celebrate the funny side of life at HaHaHouse museum of laughter

Sumo fights in fat suits, distorted karaoke and choir of rubber chickens among attractions at museum that plays on laughter’s healing power.

14 Feb 2025 - 9:45AM

Visitors in fat suits fight in the sumo arena at the HaHaHouse museum of laughter in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo: AFP

Tourism

A Balkans tour led by a Serbian and a Bosnian? The rise of peace tourism

Mejdi Tours takes groups to places like Uzbekistan and Israel led by pairs of locals with opposing religious, political or ethnic views.

14 Feb 2025 - 7:41AM

European Union

Croatia’s deputy PM quits over video of him firing gun from moving car

In the footage, the far-right politician is seen singing to loud music and shooting a pistol into the dark.

19 Jan 2025 - 6:23AM

European Union

Croatia’s President Milanovic wins second term in election landslide

Zoran Milanovic wins with 74 per cent of the vote, the highest score since Croatia’s independence in 1991.

13 Jan 2025 - 2:39PM

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

European Union

Croatian incumbent Milanovic headed for election victory, early results indicate

With 63 per cent of all votes counted on Sunday evening, the former social democrat Milanovic was clearly ahead with 50.1 per cent.

30 Dec 2024 - 5:11AM

Supporter of Croatian President and presidential candidate Zoran Milanovic hold flags after the first unofficial results of Croatia’s presidential election were announced in Zagreb, Croatia on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Crime

Teen stabs girl, 7, to death, wounds teacher, 3 more children in Croatia school

The suspect in the rare attack is a former student at the school.

21 Dec 2024 - 1:50AM

Tourism

Editorial | China benefits on all fronts as visitors soar

Tourism, business and mutual understanding are among the winners as travellers from more countries receive visa-free access.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:01AM

Tourism

Croatia the latest tourist-trap nation to mull short-term rental controls

With rents rising and a housing shortage, Croatia is taking steps to tax short-term holiday lets. Meanwhile, sustainable tourism gets a push.

23 Nov 2024 - 1:15PM

Tourists throng the Old Town of Dubrovnik, in southern Croatia. The nation is facing rising rents driven by holiday lets to visitors that create a housing shortage. Photo: Getty Images

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Sports minister pledges ‘any assistance’ Hong Kong athletes need in Paris

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung tours Olympic Village and says city is ‘proud of its athletes’.

25 Jul 2024 - 11:22PM

Wimbledon

Sun continues to rise at Wimbledon, where Emma Raducanu awaits in fourth round

New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, who has a Chinese mother, beat China’s Zhu Lin to extend dream run at All England Club.

8 Jul 2024 - 4:06AM

Euro 2024

Defence key to misfiring France’s run to last 8 at Euro 2024

Les Bleus have scored only three times in four games so far at the European Championship, once from a penalty by Mbappe and twice via opposition defenders.

2 Jul 2024 - 5:30PM

France forward Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing against Poland in the group stage at Euro 2024. Photo: AFP

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Underdogs China will not be bullied by World Cup rivals, vows coach

China face uphill battle to get through next qualifying stage, but head coach Branko Ivankovic says side ‘has quality’ to compete with best.

29 Jun 2024 - 12:00PM

China head coach Branko Ivankovic (right), will lead his side through the next stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

Chinese migrants smuggled into Italy in luxury cars and exploited, police say

The victims crossed the border posing as well-dressed Asian nationals in expensive vehicles, and were later treated like slaves.

27 Jun 2024 - 4:36PMvideocam

Fifa World Cup 2026

Indian FA accuses sacked coach Stimac of using astrologer to select players

Ex-Croatia defender would not be the first manager to face accusations of allowing his beliefs to influence his team selection.

26 Jun 2024 - 1:31AM

Euro 2024

Zaccagni rescues Italy with last-gasp goal leaving Croatia in Euro 2024 limbo

Italy progress in second place behind winners Spain with 1-1 draw against Croatia and will face Switzerland in the last 16.

25 Jun 2024 - 2:12PM

Italy forward Mattia Zaccagni is jubilant at full-time in Leipzig after his crucial late goal. Photo: AFP

Euro 2024

Last-gasp Fullkrug goal rescues top spot for Euro 2024 hosts Germany

Result means Switzerland, rather than Germany, face a tougher last-16 assignment, setting up a potential meeting with holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.

24 Jun 2024 - 9:29AM

Euro 2024

Spain impress again at Euro 2024 but get helping hand from Italy to reach last 16

Spanish could have had the match won before Italy suffer stroke of misfortune in the tournament’s biggest match to date.

21 Jun 2024 - 5:50AM

Euro 2024

Serbia’s belief hailed by Stojkovic after late Euro 2024 goal shatters Slovenia

‘We do not give up,’ manager Dragan Stojkovic says, praising persistent attacks that earned a last-gasp equaliser, keeping Serbia’s tournament hopes alive.

21 Jun 2024 - 5:16AM

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Croatia

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

Serbia confirms it owns Chinese supersonic missiles after photo leak

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

Europe’s ‘out of control’ wildfires hit tourism spots, forests

Europe battles record wildfires as a heatwave scorches Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, threatening towns, tourism, and ecosystems.

Right-wing Croatian singer performs pro-Nazi salute with fans

One of Marko Perkovic’s most popular songs starts with the dreaded ‘For the homeland – Ready!’ salute, used by Croatia’s Nazi-era puppet Ustasha regime.

Searing Catholic murals given new life at ‘Sistine Chapel of Pittsburgh’

Croatian-American artist fused Catholic iconography with biting commentary on war, capitalism, migrant labour. 90 years on, murals restored.

Diplomats call for renewed world order to confront Trump tariff chaos

Multilateralism is the only way to preserve peace and order, Croatian envoy tells Beijing conference.

Balkan hotel’s turbulent century, from glamorous guests to Gestapo

Elizabeth Taylor hung out in its bar, world leaders were its guests, wars intruded. The Hotel Esplanade Zagreb has seen a lot in 100 years.

Celebrate the funny side of life at HaHaHouse museum of laughter

Sumo fights in fat suits, distorted karaoke and choir of rubber chickens among attractions at museum that plays on laughter’s healing power.

A Balkans tour led by a Serbian and a Bosnian? The rise of peace tourism

Mejdi Tours takes groups to places like Uzbekistan and Israel led by pairs of locals with opposing religious, political or ethnic views.

Croatia’s deputy PM quits over video of him firing gun from moving car

In the footage, the far-right politician is seen singing to loud music and shooting a pistol into the dark.

Croatia’s President Milanovic wins second term in election landslide

Zoran Milanovic wins with 74 per cent of the vote, the highest score since Croatia’s independence in 1991.

Croatian incumbent Milanovic headed for election victory, early results indicate

With 63 per cent of all votes counted on Sunday evening, the former social democrat Milanovic was clearly ahead with 50.1 per cent.

Teen stabs girl, 7, to death, wounds teacher, 3 more children in Croatia school

The suspect in the rare attack is a former student at the school.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | China benefits on all fronts as visitors soar

Tourism, business and mutual understanding are among the winners as travellers from more countries receive visa-free access.

Croatia the latest tourist-trap nation to mull short-term rental controls

With rents rising and a housing shortage, Croatia is taking steps to tax short-term holiday lets. Meanwhile, sustainable tourism gets a push.

Sports minister pledges ‘any assistance’ Hong Kong athletes need in Paris

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung tours Olympic Village and says city is ‘proud of its athletes’.

Sun continues to rise at Wimbledon, where Emma Raducanu awaits in fourth round

New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, who has a Chinese mother, beat China’s Zhu Lin to extend dream run at All England Club.

Defence key to misfiring France’s run to last 8 at Euro 2024

Les Bleus have scored only three times in four games so far at the European Championship, once from a penalty by Mbappe and twice via opposition defenders.

Underdogs China will not be bullied by World Cup rivals, vows coach

China face uphill battle to get through next qualifying stage, but head coach Branko Ivankovic says side ‘has quality’ to compete with best.

Chinese migrants smuggled into Italy in luxury cars and exploited, police say

The victims crossed the border posing as well-dressed Asian nationals in expensive vehicles, and were later treated like slaves.

Indian FA accuses sacked coach Stimac of using astrologer to select players

Ex-Croatia defender would not be the first manager to face accusations of allowing his beliefs to influence his team selection.

Zaccagni rescues Italy with last-gasp goal leaving Croatia in Euro 2024 limbo

Italy progress in second place behind winners Spain with 1-1 draw against Croatia and will face Switzerland in the last 16.

Last-gasp Fullkrug goal rescues top spot for Euro 2024 hosts Germany

Result means Switzerland, rather than Germany, face a tougher last-16 assignment, setting up a potential meeting with holders Italy or 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.

Spain impress again at Euro 2024 but get helping hand from Italy to reach last 16

Spanish could have had the match won before Italy suffer stroke of misfortune in the tournament’s biggest match to date.

Serbia’s belief hailed by Stojkovic after late Euro 2024 goal shatters Slovenia

‘We do not give up,’ manager Dragan Stojkovic says, praising persistent attacks that earned a last-gasp equaliser, keeping Serbia’s tournament hopes alive.

Editorial | China benefits on all fronts as visitors soar