SPLIT POLICE OFFICER IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER STABBING
SPLIT, Croatia – A police officer critically injured in a knife attack on a street in Split has been identified as Ante Križan, a longtime community liaison officer known for his work with schools and local services. Croatian media said an 18-year-old suspect stabbed him multiple times after being stopped, before issuing threats. The officer remains in life-threatening condition. Authorities have not disclosed a motive.
REGIONAL OUTRAGE OVER HELEZ’S INSULTS TO EU FIGURES
SARAJEVO – Bosnia’s Defence Minister Zukan Helez triggered a wave of criticism after calling Croatian MEP Željana Zovko and Heritage Foundation official Max Primorac “ustashian bastard” and further insulting Zovko. EU officials and regional leaders urged restraint, while Croatian politicians called the comments scandalous. The incident renewed scrutiny of Helez’s controversial past and strained regional relations.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS ACROSS CROATIA AND THE REGION
ZAGREB – Meteorologists warned of volatile conditions in early December, with above-average temperatures across Europe and potential disruptions later in the month. Forecasts suggest Bosnia may see a milder winter, while Croatian outlets speculated on the likelihood of a white Christmas.
PLENKOVIĆ PRAISES VATICAN DIPLOMACY DURING ROME VISIT
ROME – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the European Union remains “the world’s most successful peace project,” despite current instability. After meeting Vatican officials, he said papal diplomacy continues to inspire political leaders and citizens.
MONTENEGRO’S DPS LOSES ANOTHER SENIOR FIGURE
PODGORICA – Montenegro’s long-dominant DPS said it sees nothing problematic in the resignation of former party leadership member Nikola Janović, wishing him well after he quit all functions.
STUDENT PROTESTS AND ACADEMIC CONTROVERSIES IN CROATIA
ZAGREB – Students at the University of Zagreb accused political science professor Boris Havel of inappropriate online comments targeting journalist Maja Sever and others. The case fuelled wider debate on ethics in academia and freedom of expression.
MEDIA ETHICS DEBATE GROWS AFTER FALSE “NUN ATTACK” CLAIMS
ZAGREB – Croatian outlets continued reporting on a misinformation case involving fabricated claims that a nun was assaulted by a migrant. Police said they handled the case responsibly, while several politicians and religious figures faced criticism for spreading false reports.
BIH DELAYS OPENING OF NEW GRADIŠKA ROAD LINK
BANJA LUKA – Bosnia’s plan to open a fast-road section near Gradiška on 11 December was postponed after the Indirect Taxation Authority failed to adopt internal regulations. Officials cited procedural obstacles and unresolved requirements for opening the border crossing.
CVIJANOVIĆ CONDEMNS HELEZ’S REMARKS ABOUT SERBIA’S PRESIDENT
BANJA LUKA – Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of Bosnia’s Presidency, called Helez’s earlier insult toward Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić “scandalous and shameful,” adding it undermines regional reconciliation.
CROATIA ANNOUNCES €2 BILLION MILITARY PROCUREMENT
ZAGREB – Croatia approved a major defence package including anti-drone systems, French Caesar howitzers, Leopard 2A8 tanks and TATRA military trucks worth nearly €2 billion. The opposition said the army needs modernisation but questioned strategic priorities and transparency.
STUDENT GAS LEAK SCARE PROMPTS PROTEST CALL IN SARAJEVO
SARAJEVO – A gas leak at the Bjelave student dormitory triggered emergency measures and temporary heating via fuel oil. Students announced protests, demanding urgent infrastructure repairs and accountability.
KOTOR POLITICAL STANDOFF ENDS AFTER COURT RULING
KOTOR – Montenegro’s Europe Now Movement (PES) welcomed a Constitutional Court decision that unblocked months of political deadlock. Final election results confirmed DPS with the most votes, followed by PES and the Democrats.
EU TO RELEASE UP TO €976.6 MILLION FOR BOSNIA AFTER REFORMS
SARAJEVO – EU envoy Luigi Soreca said Brussels will unlock nearly €1 billion for Bosnia after the country adopted a Reform Agenda. The first tranche is expected after parliamentary ratification.
DISPUTE OVER BOSNIA’S VSTV REFORMS AHEAD OF KEY EU DEADLINE
SARAJEVO – Lawmaker Predrag Kojović said Bosnia sent a revised draft of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council law to the justice minister, with the EU giving preliminary approval. Political parties warned only EU-compliant legislation can be passed.
CROATIA AWARDS FUNDS TO BOOST LIVESTOCK SECTOR
ZAGREB – Agriculture Minister David Vlajčić distributed more than €900,000 in grants aimed at strengthening Croatia’s livestock industry.
RIGHT-WING PREACHER CLAIMS POLICE VISITED HIS HOME
ZAGREB – Extremist religious instructor Ivan Pokupec, criticised for spreading false claims about the nun case, said police came to his home. The education ministry faces scrutiny over his involvement with schoolchildren.
MONTENEGRO SEEKS STRONGER ACCESS TO EU INSTITUTIONS JOBS
BRUSSELS – Montenegro’s public administration minister Maraš Dukaj said the government is working to improve support for citizens seeking employment within EU institutions.
RECOUNT IN DOBOJ SHOWS “SYSTEMIC IRREGULARITIES,” OPPOSITION SAYS
DOBOJ – Early recounts in the RS presidential race showed votes for opposition candidate Branko Blanuša misallocated to SNSD’s Siniša Karan, opposition parties said, alleging organised fraud.
CROATIA’S CULTURE DEBATES OVER ANTIFASCIST MARCH AND SYMBOLS
ZAGREB – Historians and politicians traded barbs over an antifascist march and a right-wing campaign to ban communist symbols, reflecting persistent ideological polarisation.
VAREŠ MAYOR ZDRAVKO MAROŠEVIĆ DIES AT 70
VAREŠ – Long-time Vareš mayor Zdravko Marošević, known for promoting interethnic cooperation, has died, local media reported.
CROATIA’S OPPOSITION SLAMS NEW URBAN DEVELOPMENT LAWS
ZAGREB – Opposition MPs criticised government-backed spatial planning laws, warning they favour private developers and allow construction near schools and parks. Protests were not ruled out.
GRMOJA CLASHES WITH FACT-CHECKERS OVER SUPREME COURT SELECTION
ZAGREB – MOST MP Nikola Grmoja accused the fact-checking outlet Faktograf of bias after it sought his comment on the Supreme Court selection process.
CVIJANOVIĆ REASSERTS RS’S POSITION ON INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT
SARAJEVO – Željka Cvijanović said RS lawmakers boycotted a meeting with the Peace Implementation Council to avoid giving legitimacy to High Representative Christian Schmidt, whom they accuse of overreach.
CROATIANS FULFIL THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY WISHES FOR CHILDREN, ELDERLY
ZAGREB – Readers of the Index.hr portal fulfilled more than 5,000 holiday wishes for children and the elderly in care homes, prompting organisers to expand the initiative to additional institutions.
FORMER HRT DIRECTOR AWAITS DECISION ON BRIBERY INDICTMENT
ZAGREB – A Croatian court resumed proceedings over an indictment against former HRT chief Kazimir Bačić and businessman Milan Lončarić in a long-running corruption case, though a judge’s illness delayed a ruling.
GOVERNMENT WEIGHS OPTIONS FOR DEMOLISHING VJESNIK TOWER
ZAGREB – Construction Minister Branko Bačić said the ageing Vjesnik tower is unlikely to be demolished by year-end as earlier hoped, with several redevelopment models under review.
PRIMORJE-GORSKI KOTAR COUNTY ADOPTS RECORD BUDGET
RIJEKA – The county assembly approved a €406.9 million budget for 2026, including new scholarships for students in the mountainous Gorski Kotar region.
TRIVIĆ CLAIMS RECOUNT WILL SHOW OPPOSITION WIN IN RS
SARAJEVO – Opposition leader Jelena Trivić said early recounts in Doboj prove “organised theft” of votes in the RS presidential race and predicted her candidate will prevail once all ballots are reviewed.
QUESTIONS GROW OVER CHINA’S INFLUENCE IN BOSNIA
SARAJEVO – Analysts warned Bosnia may be entering a debt-dependency cycle with China as Beijing promotes a five-year partnership plan covering infrastructure, energy and agriculture. Regional data shows Serbia among the largest European borrowers from China.