Croatian Marko Polo Passenger Ship Finally Towed away from Isle it Had Got Stranded on

Croatia, November 20 (CD) – Croatian Jadrolinija shipper’s Marko Polo passenger ship is finally towed away from the isle of Sit where it ran aground nearly a month ago.

The Adriatic Maritime Service towboats have finally began the effort of salvaging the Marko Polo passenger ship from the isle on Friday morning.

Once the operation is completed and the ship is towed to the Mali Losinj shipyard, experts will inspect the damage and decide on further steps that will most probably include fixing and modernising it during 2010.

The investigation into the reasons for the ship losing its course and running aground will continue with the black box information being checked.

The ship’s captain and other members of the crew have already been tested for alcohol and drug use.

Water Bomber Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Sea Surface near Zadar due to Mechanical Problems

Croatia, November 19 (CD) – A water bomber that has experienced problems with its landing gear had circled around Zadar only to land on water after it became obvious that it was unable to touch down at the Zemunik military airport near Zadar on Thursday afternoon.

The pilot is said to have not suffered any injuries and the maritime police and port authority officials are making preparations to get the water bomber to dry land.

Croatian International Eduardo da Silva Signs Long-term Contract with Arsenal

 Croatia, November 18 (CD) – Croatian international soccer player Eduardo da Silva, 26, signs long-term contract with Arsenal.

Eduardo overcame a horrific ankle injury that was poised to ruin his career and made him stay away from the game for nearly a year.

He moved from Croatia’s Dinamo to Arsenal in 2007 to become one of Arsenal’s best goal scorers, scoring 18 goals since moving.

Croatia Marks 18 Years since the Fall of Vukovar

Croatia, November 18 (CD) – Croatia has marked the sad 18^th anniversary of its eastern town of Vukovar falling into the hands of the Yugoslav Peoples Army (JNA) and paramilitary Serb forces following three months of resisting attacks.

The solemn column of people walked through the streets of Vukovar for 5.5 kilometres among those in it senior officials, residents and former defenders.

Vukovar is still bearing the deep scars of the war although efforts are being made to bring back life and residents to the town.

So far only half of the pre-war population has returned.

Croatian Constitutional Court Rules in Favour of the Crisis Tax

Croatia, November 17 (CD) – The Croatian Constitutional Court has ruled that the crisis tax that the government slapped on in August was not unconstitutional and could remain in place.


This was met by deep disappointment by the 80,000 Croats who had filed the request for the crisis tax to be checked whether it was against the constitution.

President Stjepan Mesic has also requested the check and has reacted to the news of the Constitutional Court ruling by saying that he was recognizing the Constitutional Court decision, while union leader Ana Knezevic said that the decision was politically motivated.