The festive stands in Dubrovnik, on Stradun, are being dismantled, marking the end of the Dubrovnik Winter Festival. Trucks are on Stradun, and the stands are being taken down one by one, awaiting the next occasion.

However, considering the City’s announcements, we’ll see what Stradun will even look like next year, how many booths there will be—if there are any at all.

Inflation in the Eurozone picked up pace in December, with consumer prices in Croatia surging almost twice as fast as the average, according to preliminary calculations by the European statistical office published on Tuesday.

The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone, measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), reached 2.4% in December, marking an acceleration for the third consecutive month.

The trend of milder price growth ended in October, when inflation rose to 2.0%. Revised data showed a further increase to 2.2% in November.

Services and Food Lead the Way

In December, services saw the steepest price hike, up by 4%, slightly higher than the previous month. Fresh food prices rose by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, showing a significant slowdown compared to November.

Energy prices edged up by just 0.1% in December year-over-year, following declines of 2.0% in November, 4.6% in October, and 6.1% in September.

Excluding energy and fresh food, core inflation in the Eurozone stood at 2.8% in December, marginally higher than in November.

On a monthly basis, prices in the Eurozone increased by 0.4% in December, reversing a 0.3% drop from the previous month.

Croatia Tops the Charts

Croatia recorded the highest annual inflation rate among Eurozone countries in December, with prices soaring by 4.5%, up from 4.0% in November. Monthly prices increased by 0.2% after stagnating the previous month.

According to Croatia's State Statistics Bureau (DZS), consumer prices in December were 3.4% higher than in December 2023, with a monthly increase of 0.1%.

Belgium followed closely, with prices rising 4.4% year-over-year. Estonia also crossed the 4.0% mark.

Mildest Increases in Ireland and Italy

Ireland experienced the lowest inflation in the Eurozone at the end of 2024, with prices increasing by just 1%. Italy and Luxembourg followed with rises of 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively, as reported by Eurostat.

To complete Croatia's highway network, one critical segment is still missing: a modern road connecting the southernmost region to the rest of the country.

The highway from Metković to Dubrovnik will be constructed in two phases—first from Metković to the Pelješac Bridge and then from Dol to Dubrovnik. The latter section will be prioritized.

"Croatia’s Most Expensive Highway"

According to HRT, this will be the most expensive highway in Croatia, with an estimated cost of €1.2 billion.

Construction is dependent on completing public tenders and obtaining various permits. The most optimistic projections suggest work could start this year and finish by 2029. However, one major challenge remains: the lack of a fast road connecting Dubrovnik to the airport and Montenegro’s border.

Challenging Terrain

Out of the 28 kilometers planned, 19 will consist of viaducts and tunnels. Work on the sections from Rudine to Slano and from Slano to Mravinjac is expected to begin soon.

"This is practically the worst possible terrain for highway construction," said Associate Professor Marko Ševrović from the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences. "The route runs through a very narrow area, bordered by the sea on one side and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the other. The project involves numerous viaducts, bridges, and tunnels. Additionally, the area is densely populated, making junction placement and road functionality critical."

Strategic and Economic Importance

The project is expected to be completed by 2029, with local and regional officials optimistic about a swift start.

"The tender is expected to close early this month, with the contractor selected shortly after. We hope there will be no appeals, although we cannot rule it out," said Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. "We aim to begin physical construction this year. While the highway is expensive, the strategic, economic, and security importance of connecting Dubrovnik with the rest of Croatia is priceless."

Enhanced Safety and Connectivity

The new highway, spanning 47 kilometers with an additional 15 kilometers of connecting roads, promises to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.

"Safety is perhaps the most critical aspect of this highway," Ševrović added. "The current D8 state road is highly dangerous, with frequent accidents. If for no other reason, this highway is necessary to enhance safety. But of course, it will also integrate Dubrovnik into Croatia’s highway network."

As the festive season comes to a close, many Dubrovnik residents may be wondering how to dispose of their Christmas trees in an eco-friendly manner. Starting yesterday, Monday, January 6, 2025, the City of Dubrovnik has announced a simple and sustainable solution.

Christmas trees and pines can be left at Čistoća collection points next to waste containers. Workers from Čistoća will pick up the discarded trees using special trucks and transport them to roll-off containers for processing.

The trees won’t go to waste—once collected, they’ll be taken to the composting facility in Metković, where they will be turned into environmentally friendly compost.

This initiative ensures that holiday clean-up is as green as the season itself, making it easier for residents to dispose of their trees responsibly while contributing to sustainability efforts.

London’s roads have officially been crowned Europe’s worst for traffic in 2024, with frustrated drivers spending a whopping 101 hours in jams.

According to traffic boffins at analytics company Inrix, that’s a 2% rise on the previous year – and it’s costing a fortune. The capital’s gridlock racked up a jaw-dropping £3.85 billion bill (€4.65 billion), which breaks down to £942 per driver.

It’s not just Europe where London is struggling. The city’s congestion levels ranked it as the fifth worst in the world. Topping the global list was Istanbul, where traffic chaos reigns supreme.

But it’s not just Londoners pulling their hair out. Paris came in as Europe’s second-worst hotspot, with drivers delayed for 97 hours, while Dublin wasn’t far behind with 81 hours wasted behind the wheel.

Inrix revealed the grim stats after crunching data from mobile phones in vehicles, showing just how clogged up cities have become.

When it comes to traffic jams, it seems London is in the fast lane – to nowhere!

Rising basketball sensation Caitlin Clark couldn’t hide her love for Croatia during a chat on the podcast hosted by NFL stars and brothers Jason and Travis Kelce. The University of Iowa standout, known for her dazzling skills on the court, revealed that her international travels left her smitten with the Adriatic gem.

When asked about her favorite memory from her time in Iowa, Caitlin recalled trips abroad, having visited both Italy and Croatia. But when it came to picking a favorite, she didn’t hesitate: "Honestly, Croatia!"

The 21-year-old athlete gushed about her experience, saying, "It’s amazing. I was in Split and Dubrovnik. It’s clean, the sea is beautiful, there’s so much to do, and the food is excellent."

Her glowing review didn’t go unnoticed by the Kelce brothers, who chimed in with their own connection to the country. The NFL superstars revealed they’d recently discovered their Croatian heritage and agreed that Croatia has a reputation for being an incredible destination.

@marca.en Caitlin Clark’s best experience as a player in Iowa!????✨ Would you visit Croatia????????? #caitlinclark #kelce #traviskelce #jasonkelce #nba #wnba #football #sports ♬ sonido original - MARCA in English ????????

Today, January 6th, marks Epiphany, a significant Christian feast day and a public holiday in Croatia. Known as "Sveta tri kralja" (Holy Three Kings) in Croatian, it commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus, symbolizing the revelation of Christ to the world.

Across the country, Epiphany is a day of reflection and tradition. Epiphany also signals the end of the festive season for many, with Christmas trees and decorations traditionally taken down after this day. Being a public holiday, businesses and schools are closed, giving Croatians a chance to spend time with loved ones and observe this important cultural and religious tradition.

Croatia's presidential race has entered its final stretch, with voters set to return to the polls on Sunday, January 12th, after no candidate secured a majority in the December 29th election. The stage is now set for a fiery runoff between incumbent President Zoran Milanović, backed by the opposition SDP, and HDZ candidate Dragan Primorac, who enjoys the support of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

As the candidates scramble to rally support ahead of Friday's midnight campaign cutoff, the gloves have come off in a contest that is as much about policy as it is about personal accusations and political rivalries.

Milanović: A Call for ‘Sensible Changes’

President Milanović, vying for a second term, held a rally in Koprivnica on Saturday, where he positioned himself as the defender of Croatia’s constitutional integrity. In an impassioned speech, he urged citizens to vote, framing the election as a referendum on Croatia's democratic values.

“I call on people to come out and vote, regardless of the weather, and give me their support—not to humiliate my opponent but to send a clear message that we need changes,” Milanović declared. “Not radical changes or revolutions, but sensible ones—a return to the foundations of the Constitution.”

The incumbent’s rhetoric struck a measured tone, but his focus on "constitutional respect" appeared to contrast sharply with the corruption accusations hurled by his opponent.

Primorac: Corruption Allegations Take Centre Stage

Dragan Primorac, the HDZ candidate and Milanović's main rival, turned up the heat at a Saturday press conference, launching scathing attacks on the president’s alleged connections to a high-profile corruption scandal.

Primorac questioned Milanović’s relationship with Dragan Kovačević, the former director of JANAF, a state-owned oil and gas transportation company embroiled in a corruption trial. “Is it a coincidence that his [Kovačević’s] company is registered at the same address as JANAF? Is this friendship that led to one of Croatia’s biggest corruption scandals just a coincidence?” Primorac asked rhetorically.

In a blistering tirade, Primorac accused Milanović of failing to prioritize Croatia, painting his rival as a liability. “This is a person burdened with scandals. He does not put Croatia first. Zoran Milanović wants to enslave Croatia,” he claimed, adding fuel to an already contentious race.

A Clash of Ideologies

Milanović’s campaign has centred on maintaining his image as a reformer focused on constitutional principles and democratic accountability. His appeal to moderate voters hinges on his promise of stability and measured change.

In contrast, Primorac has adopted a combative tone, leveraging allegations of corruption and scandal to erode Milanović’s credibility. As the HDZ candidate, his campaign highlights his party’s ongoing commitment to economic reform and nationalistic values, appealing to conservative voters and those dissatisfied with the status quo.

The Stakes Are High

With both candidates representing opposing political factions, the stakes in this election are immense. Milanović, backed by the SDP, faces the daunting task of convincing voters that his tenure has been marked by integrity and progress. Meanwhile, Primorac, buoyed by HDZ support, is looking to exploit dissatisfaction with the incumbent and frame himself as the agent of change Croatia needs.

As the clock ticks down to Sunday’s vote, one thing is clear: Croatia’s presidential runoff has become a battleground not only for political power but for the future direction of the nation. With accusations flying and the electorate increasingly polarized, all eyes are now on the final hours of this high-stakes campaign.