AGP Executive Report

Hazardous Waste Crisis: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb in the “Walk for Lika” protest, demanding urgent cleanup of an illegal toxic waste dump near Gospić in Lika, where authorities say more than 30,000 tonnes were buried and environmentalists warn it threatens soil and water. Public Health & Accountability: Protesters accuse the government of delays after investigations tied the scheme to imports from Italy, Germany and Slovenia, with police and Europol arrests reported, while officials dispute the extent of contamination. Sports Spotlight: Croatia captain Luka Modrić, now 41, has confirmed he will continue playing for the national team and is set to be included for UEFA Nations League matches against Czechia, Spain and England. Local Life & Travel: Dubrovnik residents reported a smoky haze after firefighters said smoke was drifting from a fire in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while a visitor complained about an “exploitative” Dubrovnik parking bill after missing a 15-minute purchase rule for a daily ticket. Back to School: Croatia’s new school year begins tomorrow, with Education Minister Radovan Fuchs noting thousands of first-graders had enrolment postponed and urging parents to rely on professionals rather than personal judgement.

Croatia Protest Wave: Tens of thousands marched through Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić in Lika, after authorities failed to remove more than 30,000 tonnes; protesters cite soil and groundwater contamination concerns, including heavy metals and PFAS, and want a clear plan, deadlines, and prosecutions. Modrić Nations League Call-Up: Luka Modrić, turning 41, ended retirement speculation by confirming he will stay available for Croatia’s UEFA Nations League matches against Czechia, Spain, and England under coach Slaven Bilić. Croatian in the Premier League: Brighton’s record signing Luka Vuskovic scored his first goal for the club as Brighton drew 1-1 with Leeds, heading in from Maxim De Cuyper’s corner to earn a point. Sport Spotlight: Croatia’s Matej Jukić won IRONMAN 70.3 in Baku, with the top finishers qualifying for the 2027 World Championships. Local Culture: Štrudlafest kicked off in Jaškovo near Ozalj, spotlighting traditional strudel craft and new festival workshops.

Croatia Football: Luka Modrić says he’ll stay with the national team for the Nations League run, keeping his 202-cap career on track as coach Slaven Bilić prepares the squad. Public Transport: Zagreb is rolling out 62 new low-floor electric buses and opening a new charging facility for ZET, with EU and city funding behind the nearly €56.8m purchase. Defence & Security: Croatia approved major South Korean Chunmoo K239 rocket launcher deals—18 systems worth about €544m—aimed at long-range deterrence as deliveries run through 2029. Energy Costs: Croatian drivers may see diesel jump sharply next week as Iran-related tensions keep oil markets volatile. Culture & Community: Cavtat’s Epidaurus Festival marks its 20th anniversary, with this year’s programme dedicated to the artistic director’s mother. Sport (MMA): BRAVE CF 108 weigh-ins are done ahead of tonight’s Pula Arena card, headlined by Croatian Andi Vrtacic. Travel: Air Canada plans a new seasonal direct route from Dubrovnik to Montreal starting May 11, 2027. Local Order: Police removed men from Croatia after they glorified Ratko Mladić in Dubrovnik-area social media posts.

Croatia’s Defence Boost: The government has approved a €544.05m deal to buy 18 South Korean Chunmoo K239 multiple rocket launchers, with delivery planned from 2026–2029, as part of a wider military modernisation package. Nord Stream Court Twist: A Croatian court postponed the extradition hearing of Ukrainian suspect Volodymyr Zhuravlyov after Germany updated the European arrest warrant by adding a “war crime” classification. New Air Links to Asia: Air China launched the first regular China–Croatia passenger connection, with a Beijing–Bucharest–Zagreb route running three times a week year-round. Adriatic Fisheries Science: A new FAO GFCM Adriatic Sea technical unit was inaugurated in Split to strengthen science-based fisheries management. UNESCO on Hvar: International volunteers returned to the Stari Grad Plain on Hvar for the sixth annual World Heritage Volunteers workshop to help preserve the UNESCO landscape. EU Tensions Over Mladić: EU officials condemned Serbia’s military honours around Ratko Mladić’s return and warned it could harm Serbia’s EU path.

Croatia’s Missile Upgrade: Croatia is finalizing a €435.2m deal with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace for 18 Chunmoo K239 multiple rocket launchers, with missiles, vehicles, training and integration via Poland’s TOPAZ command system—boosting long-range strike capability well beyond older 20km systems. Defense Modernisation: The procurement is set to replace legacy Vulkan and Grad launchers and expand Croatia’s rocket artillery inventory alongside earlier HIMARS orders. AI Cooperation: Nine Central and Eastern European countries, including Croatia, signed the Prague AI Declaration to coordinate AI policy, connect computing capacities and share know-how. Robotaxi Rollout: Uber and Wayve launched London’s first robotaxi service using autonomous tech but with a human safety driver ready to take over. Local Governance: Varaždin plans to ban alcohol sales in shops and kiosks after 22:00, with fines also for public drinking outside licensed premises. Tourism & Travel: Dubrovnik and Croatia’s wider Adriatic tourism push continues as new routes and capacity expansions are announced, including Air Canada’s long-awaited direct Canada links. Regional Tensions: EU officials say a state funeral for Ratko Mladić would be unacceptable, as Serbia prepares major ceremonies.

Tourism & Travel: Dubrovnik is set for a major boost as Air Canada announces its first direct Canada flights in over 40 years, launching a seasonal Montreal–Dubrovnik route from May 11, 2027 (3x weekly). Local Transport: Jadrolinija reports 9.3 million passengers and 2.8 million vehicles carried in the first eight months of 2026, with new Adriatic routes including Zadar–Ancona and expanded island services. Digital Nomads & Work Rules: Croatia is highlighting a rare perk for remote workers: non-EU nationals can stay up to 12 months without paying tax on foreign income, while the government also published a list of third-country nationals allowed to work without a permit under specific residence statuses. Culture & Film: Croatia has selected Hana Jušić’s “God Will Not Help” as its Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film, and the HAVC distributed €344,000 to minority coproductions. Environment & Health: A drug-resistant fungus linked to ringworm is spreading to new regions, including within the US, raising public health concern. Regional Politics: Serbia is preparing for the return and funeral of Ratko Mladić, a move that has already sparked sharp criticism from Croatia and other regional leaders.

Robotaxi Watch: Croatia’s Verne robotaxi project faces a final check on whether €89.7mn in state and EU backing can be recovered or redirected, after the company offered to repay the advance if contractual targets weren’t met. Local Commuting: Zagreb is switching to its autumn public transport timetable from Monday, with tram line 1 and services on Zvonimirova Street returning, while some temporary bus routes end. Football & Croatia Ties: Luka Modrić again signals he wants to return to Real Madrid one day, calling the club his “home,” while José Mourinho also walked back past words in the build-up to Real Betis vs Real Madrid. Ghana Coaching Shock: Carlos Queiroz is back as Ghana head coach less than two months after quitting following World Cup exit. Tech in London: Uber and Wayve launch London’s first robotaxi service, but with a human safety driver supervising. Sports Beyond Football: Croatia’s presence continues at the World Nomad Games in Kyrchyn (Ordo), and the European Judo Championships Junior draw sets up Azerbaijan’s first opponents. Travel Rules: Thailand shortens visa-free stays for tourists from 60 countries, including Croatia, from 60 to 30 days starting Sept. 15.

Dubrovnik Police Upgrade: Dubrovnik’s historic Villa Palma police HQ has reopened after a €2.6 million energy renovation, with the Interior Minister saying the work preserved the building’s look while improving conditions for officers and help for residents and tourists. Tourism Watch: Dubrovnik is slightly ahead of last year, with about 960,000 arrivals and 3.1 million overnight stays in 2026 so far, led by British visitors for nights. War Crimes Politics: Croatia’s PM Plenković condemned the glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić after tributes in Banja Luka, saying Serbia has not gone through “catharsis.” Sports, Croatia in the Mix: Kyrgyz national team player Erbol Atabaev has signed a one-year deal with Lokomotiv Zagreb, a first for Kyrgyz clubs to receive a transfer fee. Environment & Health: Faster cleanup steps are planned for a major illegal waste site in Gospić, including covering material and preparing removal of tens of thousands of tonnes. Business & Industry: MacGregor secured a major RoRo equipment order for TT-Line’s new battery-hybrid LNG ferries linking Sweden, Germany, Poland and Lithuania. Local Justice: A Croatian court gave a suspended prison sentence to a Bosnian national convicted of glorifying Mladic via social media posts.

Tourism & Climate Watch: Croatia’s sea is running hotter than ever, with September records broken in Split and Komiža as temperatures hit around 28°C and even higher near Mljet. Local Life in Dubrovnik: A new 24-hour public toilet has opened in the Old City, designed to fit the historic setting and ease late-night visitor pressure. Sustainable Tourism: Dubrovnik Pass has reached the final of European sustainable cultural tourism awards, with the city pushing residents and visitors to vote. Environment & Heritage: Dubrovnik is planting 57 new trees along Uz Posat as part of its “Green Ring” project, aiming for a greener gateway outside the walls. Economy & Travel Demand: Eurostat data shows Croatia’s tourism grew modestly in the first half of 2026, with overnight stays up about 0.5%. Sports Spotlight: Niko Sigur is nearing a €6.5m move from Hajduk Split to Toulouse. Tech & Public Money: Mate Rimac’s Verne robotaxi project may need to return €89.7m if obligations aren’t met after the evaluation.

War Crimes & Diplomacy: Croatia’s PM Plenković warned Serbia against granting full state and military honours to Ratko Mladić, saying it could damage Serbia’s EU path as Mladić’s funeral honours reignite tensions over the 1990s legacy. Inflation Watch: Croatia’s inflation picked up in August to 4.1% year-on-year, with energy prices up 17.4% and services rising 7.2%, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Dubrovnik Tourism Boost: A new 24-hour public toilet opened in Dubrovnik’s Old City, while the Dubrovnik Pass reached the final of European sustainable cultural tourism awards and a “Green Ring” project is planting 57 new trees near the walls. Island & Social Services: Pelješac’s Rehabilitation and Hippotherapy Centre secured co-financing to expand support for children with developmental difficulties and people with disabilities. Sports & Croatia Abroad: Hajduk’s Niko Sigur is close to a €6.5m move to Toulouse, and Ivo Grbić has joined Ludogorets after a difficult spell at Sheffield United.

Croatia-Serbia EU row: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković warned Serbia would “shut the door” on EU accession if it buries convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić with the highest honours, after Mladić’s death in The Hague. Regional politics: The European Commission said any interference in Montenegro’s EU path would be unacceptable, amid fears Belgrade could try to shape Montenegro from within. Energy diplomacy: Hungary’s PM Péter Magyar said Budapest is ready to negotiate with Croatia on the INA–Mol relationship, while also sidestepping a clear answer on extradition issues. Croatian governance & daily life: A major Dubrovnik-area bottleneck is carrying over 33,000 vehicles a day on a road built for about 22,000, raising safety concerns for residents. Tourism shift: New research says 58% of Croatians plan post-season trips to dodge crowds and get better value. Sports spotlight: Lionel Messi officially retired from Argentina duty after a 21-year run that ended with the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain. Boxing: Moses Itauma vowed “I’ll be back” after losing the IBF heavyweight title to Croatian Filip Hrgović in London.

Croatia in the Spotlight: Croatia’s Matija Greguric won bronze in hammer throw at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, while Cyprus added five medals overall, including gold for Iosif Kesidis and long-jump title for Filippa Fotopoulou. International Football: Lionel Messi officially retired from Argentina’s national team at 39 after 207 caps and 125 goals, closing a 21-year story that included the 2022 World Cup and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024. Adriatic Tourism Buzz: Two €200 million superyachts were spotted off Dubrovnik near Cavtat, with one reportedly linked to WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum and another to Kazakh billionaire Bulat Utemuratov. EU Border Tension: Western Balkans truck drivers protested Schengen entry/exit limits and threatened border blockades on September 14 unless rules are changed. Local Life & Safety: Swimming was banned in Croatia’s Mrežnica and Korana after a Karlovac fire, as authorities move to protect public health. Boxing (Croatian angle): Filip Hrgović’s IBF heavyweight title win over Moses Itauma sparked talk of suspensions and next steps for the Croatian champion.

Dubrovnik Housing Crisis: Dubrovnik apartment prices have surged past €8,000 per square metre, pushing locals out as foreign buyers increasingly dominate the market; older units often trade at €4,000–€6,000, while new builds now reach €7,000–€8,000+ amid a tight supply and a luxury-heavy development focus. Electricity Demand Spike: Croatia hit a new August peak electricity use of 3,400.5 MWh at 9 p.m., with summer demand now overtaking winter thanks to heat, tourism and air-conditioning. War Crimes Update: Ratko Mladić, convicted over the Bosnian genocide, has died in prison in The Hague at 84, underscoring how international courts can still hold wartime leaders to account. EU Enlargement Shock: Iceland’s “No” to restarting EU accession talks lands as a blow to Brussels, with the EU saying it respects the democratic choice while enlargement momentum stalls. Croatian Sports Spotlight: Filip Hrgović became Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion after stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round; Itauma was stretchered out but later discharged, vowing “I’ll be back.”

Croatian Sport Spotlight: Filip Hrgović stopped Moses Itauma in the ninth round to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2, becoming Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion after Itauma’s corner threw in the towel and Itauma was taken from the ring on a stretcher. Tennis & Local Pride: Donna Vekic knocked out Australian Talia Gibson in a three-set US Open opener, handing the Croat a win after Gibson had looked set to take her first Grand Slam outside Australia. Public Health: West Nile virus has been confirmed in dead crows across Zagreb, prompting urgent mosquito-control measures and advice to remove standing water and use repellents. Environment & Science: Croatian researchers are launching an early-warning system to track non-native species in the Adriatic, aiming to spot new arrivals and slow potential ecosystem damage. Economy & Living Costs: Croatia’s retail sales rose for the 40th straight month in July, while GDP growth eased to 1.7% year-on-year in Q2. Agriculture Support: Zadar County is preparing up to €250,000 to expand Marasca cherry orchards over three years, backing new plantations, irrigation, and soil work. Travel & Weather: Dubrovnik braces for more scorching days with an orange heat warning for Monday.

Croatian Sports Spotlight: Filip Hrgović made history in London, stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round to become Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion, after Itauma’s early dominance gave way to exhaustion and a corner stoppage; Hrgović credited his chin and experience, while Itauma was stretchered from the O2 Arena and taken to hospital. Next Fight Talk: Hrgović says he wants unification fights and a bigger payday, with Frank Sanchez mentioned as a likely next step but Hrgović pushing for bigger names like Daniel Dubois or Agit Kabayel. Local Life & Costs: Property buying in Croatia is getting harder for many families, with coastal hotspots like Dubrovnik, Opatija and Rovinj among the most expensive and new-build prices often far above €6,000 per square metre. Tourism Pulse (Dubrovnik): Dubrovnik’s Old City stayed busy on the last Sunday of August, with crowds still flowing as September approaches.

IBF Heavyweight Title Night: Moses Itauma and Croatia’s Filip Hrgović face off in London for the vacant IBF world belt, with Itauma chasing history as the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever and Hrgović aiming to become Croatia’s first heavyweight champion; the weigh-in turned ugly after Itauma shoved Hrgović off stage and Hrgović slapped back, leaving both men pulled apart by security. Croatia in the Spotlight Abroad: Hrgović’s bid is being watched closely in Croatia as the fight week drama adds extra pressure to Itauma’s “real test” against a seasoned opponent. Local Economy & Pay: Dubrovnik-Neretva County saw some of the slowest wage growth in Croatia, with average net salaries up 6.8% to €1,446—still below the national average. Travel & Tourism: Dubrovnik Airport is rolling out new security scanners so passengers won’t need to take laptops and liquids out of cabin bags. Culture in Dubrovnik: The Stradun Classic Festival opened with the ninth Stradun Classic, featuring Italian-themed performances and a debut by violinist Stefan Milenković. Sports Innovation in Dubrovnik: Water polo is going global in the Old Harbour with the first World Aquatics 4×4 Water Polo World Championship, running Aug 31–Sep 6. Energy Update: JANAF secured a US sanctions waiver extension to keep oil flowing to Serbia’s NIS until Sept 30.