It was wings, sirens and feathers in the air when two quick-thinking police officers in Croatia swooped to the rescue of a dazed eagle found staggering by the side of a busy road, reports Dubrovacki Vjesnik. 

At the tail end of March, officers from the Ploče Police Station sprang into action after receiving a tip-off that an injured bird of prey – later identified as a short-toed snake eagle – was spotted on the verge of the D-425 highway near Karamatići.

The dynamic duo, officer Anita Gnječ and officer Ante Štrbić, raced to the scene and found the disoriented raptor flapping helplessly near the tarmac – lucky not to have become roadkill.

With backup from the local fire brigade, the stunned eagle was scooped up and taken to the station, where it was handed over to bird expert Bariša Ilić from the Brkata Sjenica Ornithological Society.

Thankfully, the feathery patient hadn’t broken any bones, but vets say it was likely shaken up after a mid-air smash – possibly with a vehicle or roadside obstacle.

After some much-needed R&R and rehab, the bird made a full recovery and was released back into the wild this week, not far from where it was found.

The short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) is classed as a threatened species in Croatia, making this rescue all the more egg-ceptional.

He’s done it again – Luka Modrić, the little magician from Zadar, has officially cemented his place in footballing royalty. The Croatian captain and Real Madrid legend has been named one of the 35 greatest footballers of all time by English sports site GiveMeSport.

In an ambitious ranking that tackled one of football’s toughest debates – who really is the greatest of all time? – Modrić found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Maradona and Pele. Ranked 24th overall, Modrić is the only Croatian to make the elite list, and his inclusion is being hailed as further proof of his legendary status.

Modrić, who lifted the Ballon d’Or in 2018 and helped Croatia to a historic World Cup final, continues to pull strings both for club and country. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the midfield maestro is still very much a heartbeat of Real Madrid and the Croatian national team.

The GiveMeSport panel based their ranking on several key factors: impact on the team (goals, assists, clean sheets), club and international trophies, and personal accolades – including, of course, that all-important Ballon d’Or. And by those standards, Modrić more than earned his spot.

While Lionel Messi took the No.1 position ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Modrić’s presence among football titans such as Zidane, Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Beckenbauer speaks volumes. The Croatian midfield general was described as “indestructible” by the press after once again writing history for Real Madrid.

Zagreb Airport was bursting at the seams on Thursday, April 17, as it smashed its all-time record for passenger traffic — just in time for the Easter holiday rush.

A staggering 16,580 travellers passed through the terminals in just 24 hours, making it the airport’s busiest day ever, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

Ryanair ruled the runway, offering the most seats with 6,946 up for grabs, while Croatia Airlines wasn’t far behind with 6,396, and Lufthansa rounded out the top three with 1,268.

But when it came to take-offs and landings, it was Croatia’s national carrier leading the charge, operating 55 flights throughout the day. Ryanair clocked up 38, and Lufthansa managed 8.

Top destinations included sunny Dubrovnik, bustling Istanbul, and coastal favourite Split, all boasting the highest seat capacities on the day.

The airport saw its most chaotic hour between 2pm and 3pm, with eight departures and five arrivals crammed into a single 60-minute window.

This new record beats the previous one set on June 14, 2024, when 16,197 passengers were processed.

Looks like the Easter bunny had some serious competition at passport control this year!

The Government of the Republic of Croatia has today, during a telephone session, adopted a Decision declaring Saturday, April 26, 2025, a Day of Mourning in the Republic of Croatia following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

The Day of Mourning is marked by the mandatory display of the Croatian national flag at half-mast on all buildings housing state authorities, as well as local and regional self-government bodies. The flag must also be flown at half-mast on buildings where legal entities are based or conduct their activities, as well as where individuals conduct their independent professions.

On the Day of Mourning, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., entertainment events are not permitted.

Croatia’s average net monthly salary rose to €1,416 in February 2025, according to the latest report from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS). That figure is up 13.5% nominally and 9.5% in real terms compared to February 2024.

Average Net Salary: €1,416
+13.5% vs. Feb 2024
+1.7% vs. Jan 2025

Compared to the previous month (January 2025), net salaries increased by 1.7% nominally and 1.8% in real terms.

As expected, the highest average net wage was in pharmaceutical manufacturing, where employees earned an average of €3,624. At the opposite end, those in clothing production took home just €920.

The median net salary stood at €1,175, meaning half of workers earned less than that amount.

The average gross salary in February reached €1,964, a 14.9% increase year-on-year. The gross hourly wage rose to €8.72, a 19% jump compared to February 2024.

On average, workers clocked 157 paid hours, with the most in mining support services (171 hours) and the fewest in building and landscape maintenance (141 hours).

The City of Dubrovnik and its public institutions have successfully attracted over €203.8 million (1.5 billion kuna) in non-refundable funding from EU and national sources between 2017 and 2025, according to figures released by the city.

Under Mayor Mato Franković, who took office in 2017, Dubrovnik has strategically leveraged European funding to improve infrastructure, public services, and cultural heritage sites—while easing pressure on the city’s budget.

Key projects include the €117 million Dubrovnik Agglomeration, a massive overhaul of the city's water and sewage systems, and the full renovation of the historic Lazareti complex into a modern cultural hub. Other major initiatives include the Lapad Coast expansion, a new elderly care home, and upgrades to Mokošica Elementary School, bringing it into a single-shift schedule.

Dubrovnik also tapped the ITU mechanism, securing €22 million to invest in green mobility projects like electric buses and park-and-ride systems. So far, 29 new buses have been introduced, with 14 electric buses arriving soon.

“EU funds are not a privilege—they are a tool. We’ve used them wisely to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Dubrovnik,” said Mayor Franković.

Oldtimer Club Dubrovnik is organizing the 3rd OLDTIMER RALLY STON: Along the Roads of Pelješac and Primorje, taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The rally will start at 10:00 a.m. from the Komarna rest area on the Pelješac Bridge, where around eighty oldtimers will embark on the first stage of the journey to Putnikovići. After visiting the Wine Museum, the convoy will continue via the new Pelješac road to Zaton Doli, and proceed through Bistrina to the Victory Monument at Vjetreni Mlin, where a folklore performance by KU Linđo Ošlje-Stupa will take place at 12:00 noon.

The final stage of the rally will lead the procession through Rudine, Doli, and Zamaslina to Ston, where the cars will be on display at the main square (Placa) in Ston from 2:00 p.m.. There, participants and visitors will be entertained by the young and energetic Rock Palace band.

This year’s Oldtimer Rally Ston covers a total distance of about 75 kilometers. In addition to showcasing Pelješac, it will also introduce participants to the beauties of the Dubrovnik Primorje region. Oldtimer Club Dubrovnik has enriched the event’s program, which promotes Pelješac, Ston, and Primorje as attractive automotive destinations, blending natural beauty with the promotion of cultural heritage and gourmet offerings.

While enjoying the concert in Ston, visitors will be able to admire a nostalgic collection of vehicles—from vintage Citroën 2CVs, VW Beetles, Zastava Fićas, and Renault 4s, to high-performance machines like the Ferrari 348 and Porsche 911, all the way to the exclusive Mercedes 600. This was the most luxurious model of the 1960s, chosen not only by numerous statesmen, monarchs, and dictators, but also by celebrities such as Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Coco Chanel, and Jack Nicholson.

The Rally is supported by the Municipalities of Ston and Dubrovnik Primorje, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Putniković Agricultural Cooperative, Ston Saltworks, and Libertas Dubrovnik.
The rally takes place on public roads, in accordance with traffic regulations, with increased engagement from the Ston Police Department, and will not disrupt regular traffic flow.

Croatian Post has reported its highest-ever revenue and profit, largely due to the continued rise in service prices over recent years.

According to the company’s annual financial report, total revenue in 2024 reached an impressive €322 million, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Even more notably, net profit soared to €31 million—an extraordinary 128% jump year-on-year, reports Danica.hr 

While customers may be feeling the effects of rising postal rates, employees have seen positive changes. The average net salary at Croatian Post rose significantly in 2024, reaching approximately €1,270 per month—around €230 more than the previous year.

Despite its financial success, Croatian Post has been quietly shrinking its workforce. The company currently employs about 8,000 people, roughly 300 fewer than two years ago. Over the past five years, the organization has downsized by nearly 1,000 positions.

These figures highlight the state-run company’s strategic shift—streamlining operations while improving profitability and increasing wages.

Croatian Post has reported its highest-ever revenue and profit, largely due to the continued rise in service prices over recent years.

According to the company’s annual financial report, total revenue in 2024 reached an impressive €322 million, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year. Even more notably, net profit soared to €31 million—an extraordinary 128% jump year-on-year.

While customers may be feeling the effects of rising postal rates, employees have seen positive changes. The average net salary at Croatian Post rose significantly in 2024, reaching approximately €1,270 per month—around €230 more than the previous year.

Despite its financial success, Croatian Post has been quietly shrinking its workforce. The company currently employs about 8,000 people, roughly 300 fewer than two years ago. Over the past five years, the organization has downsized by nearly 1,000 positions.

These figures highlight the state-run company’s strategic shift—streamlining operations while improving profitability and increasing wages.