Croatia’s Armed Forces Day & Statehood Day: Thousands gathered at Jarun Lake and Ban Jelačić Square as the Croatian Armed Forces staged land, sea and air displays, including tanks, artillery, drones and special forces demonstrations, with a live Bayraktar TB2 feed. Housing Pressure in Europe: The EU is pushing “zero-cost” approaches to the affordable housing crisis, warning against allowances and subsidies that would add spending—leaving young people stuck while rents and prices keep climbing. Migration Watch: Bosnia and Herzegovina reported a sharp jump in illegal migrant arrivals in early 2026, with smuggling crackdowns tied to pressure along the Western Balkan route toward Croatia. Jadrolinija Goes Digital: Croatia’s ferry operator launched “Barba AI,” an AI travel assistant on its website, alongside broader digital upgrades ahead of the summer rush. Zagreb Marathon Value: Research ranks the Zagreb Marathon among Europe’s cheapest, putting the full weekend cost at about €150. Croatian Football Spotlight: Luka Modrić’s future is again in question after his emotional Milan message following the club’s Champions League failure. Tourism & Roads: Croatia braces for its first major summer traffic wave after Statehood Day, with heavy congestion expected on key routes to the coast.