AGP Executive Report

Wildfires Crisis in Europe: France and Spain are battling fast-moving wildfires that have forced more than 250,000 people to evacuate, with around 70,000 leaving areas west of Madrid and tens of thousands more in France’s Gironde region near Bordeaux. Military Aid & Tour de France Disruption: France deployed an A400M cargo plane to drop flame retardants and shortened the Tour de France’s final stage so police and security staff can reinforce firefighting response efforts. Croatia Angle: French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Croatia and other European countries for emergency support as the situation remains volatile. Croatia Tourism Snapshot: A new analysis of 1.6 million tourist reviews ranks Croatia among the top-rated Mediterranean destinations, praising coastline, islands and cleanliness, while noting Greece often wins when visitors compare both. Local Governance & Sports: Croatia’s Olympic Committee official Damir Segota resigned after an arrest tied to alleged corruption in the ski federation, while FIFA confirmed a record $727M prize pool for the 2026 World Cup.

Wildfires Crisis in Europe: More than 260,000 people have fled homes in France and Spain as record-breaking wildfires, driven by extreme heat, drought and shifting winds, overwhelm responders. In France’s Gironde near Bordeaux, authorities are evacuating suburbs and preparing to drop flame retardants from a specially adapted A400M military aircraft, while France has mobilised soldiers and rushed 1.5 million protective face masks. Spain has declared a national emergency around Madrid, with about 70,000 evacuated and firefighters battling blazes across Madrid and Ávila. Croatia in the EU response: Croatia is among the countries sending firefighting help to France under the EU civil protection mechanism. Zagreb & Croatia angle: A new analysis of 1.6 million tourist reviews ranks Croatia top among major Mediterranean destinations for overall satisfaction, edging out Greece, while noting complaints about costs and practical issues like parking and Wi‑Fi. Local impact watch: With European travel disrupted, a French minister urged tourists not to cancel plans if they stay informed, as some regions remain unaffected.

Wildfire Crisis in Europe: Southwest France and central Spain are in emergency mode as fast-moving wildfires force mass evacuations, with France ordering a full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula and Spain declaring a national emergency for the first time over blazes merging outside Madrid; officials say heat, dry conditions and shifting winds are driving the “perfect storm,” and France has requested EU civil protection help, with Croatia among the countries sending firefighting aircraft. Croatia’s Aviation & Infrastructure: Zadar Airport opened a new passenger terminal, boosting capacity to up to 3 million passengers a year as part of a roughly €35m investment. Energy & Tech Investment: HOPS approved key grid infrastructure for Pantheon Atlas’ up to 1GW data centre project in Topusko, with construction expected to start in early 2027. Culture & Heritage: Archaeologists report major new findings from a Byzantine shipwreck off Croatia’s coast near Mljet, including gold coins and jewel-studded artifacts. Sports (Croatia): Luka Modrić extended his AC Milan deal to June 30, 2027, keeping the Croatian star in Serie A for another season. Road Safety: A German man deported from Croatia was sentenced to 37 days in prison after trying to re-enter and driving without a licence, with his vehicle permanently confiscated.

African Swine Fever Crackdown: Croatia is stepping up surveillance on roads and forest paths, adding checkpoints and drone/thermal monitoring for emergency hunting teams, as authorities tackle persistent non-compliance on pig farms and plan tighter wild boar culling and slaughter logistics. Wildfire Aid & EU Response: France’s Cap Ferret peninsula near Bordeaux has been ordered to evacuate entirely as wildfires rage; Croatia is sending a Canadair CL-415 amphibious firefighting aircraft with crews, after France activated the EU civil protection mechanism for aircraft and helicopters. Danube Drought Impacts: Record-low Danube levels are leaving boats beached and exposing shipwrecks in Croatia and Serbia, while fuel imports and river operations are hit by reduced cargo capacity. Modrić Stays in Milan: Luka Modrić has signed a one-year extension to remain at AC Milan until June 2027, continuing his club comeback after Croatia’s World Cup exit. Croatia Investment Push: The Finance Ministry has launched a public consultation on a proposed Croatian Investment Account to let citizens invest more tax-efficiently via a regulated account. Libraries & Reading Policy: An EU report highlights Croatia’s cultural policy success, noting more libraries than in many countries and citing national reading initiatives. Knin Victory Day Plan: Croatia’s 5 August dawn march and ceremonies in Knin for Operation Storm’s 31st anniversary are set, including Mass and wreath-laying at key sites. Archaeology in Mljet: Results from the “Tatinica – Byzantine Shipwreck” project were presented, including dozens of gold artefacts and signs of a high-ranking imperial passenger.

Luka Modrić Stays in Milan: Croatia captain Luka Modrić has signed a one-year contract extension with AC Milan, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2027, after returning from his fifth World Cup and passing 200 caps for Croatia. Energy & Industry: Croatia’s grid operator HOPS has cleared a key step for the €50bn Pantheon AI data centre project near Topusko, moving the 1GW campus toward signing a grid connection deal and aiming to unlock more renewable capacity. Economy Watch: Podravka reported flat first-half 2026 profit at €41.1mn, with pharma (Belupo) driving growth as food and agriculture face tougher conditions. Zagreb-Region Tech/Robotics: A Cambridge Electronics and Robotics Club team will represent Great Britain at the World Robot Olympiad 2026 after strong UK results, with another junior project winning top honours. Culture in Dubrovnik: A free open-air concert in Osojnik brings together Klapa Šufit and Najbolji hrvatski tamburaši, while Cavtat offers free Friday guided walking tours through local history. Sports (Croatia Abroad): Derry City’s Conference League hopes hinge on next week’s second leg after a 1-0 home defeat by Rijeka’s Toni Fruk. Travel & Mobility: Malaysia’s passport ranks among the world’s most powerful, while Croatia’s tourism continues to lean on practical visitor tips and local experiences.

Croatia Immigration & Work Rules: Croatia’s public health institute says some visa-required foreign workers must complete a mandatory health exam before extending temporary residence permits, including a health interview, physical check, chest X-ray, stool tests for certain infections, and blood tests—paid by the employer. Archaeology & Heritage: Underwater teams off Mljet have unveiled a major Byzantine shipwreck haul—gold coins, emerald-and-ruby buckles, and other luxury items—suggesting a high-ranking passenger and entourage. Road Safety in Dubrovnik: Police used a drone on the D8 Adriatic Highway and logged 60 offences, mainly seatbelt failures, plus phone use and illegal parking. Tourism Watch: Korčula’s summer pace looks steady despite a typical “July dip,” with arrivals near last year but slightly shorter stays. Health & Medicine: Dubrava Clinical Hospital performed Croatia’s first laparoscopic ALIF spine fusion, aiming for less tissue damage and faster recovery. Sports (Croatia-linked): Rangers’ new keeper Ivor Pandur says he’s ready for the pressure after his Croatia World Cup run.

Champions League Kickoff in Zagreb: Dinamo Zagreb opened their UCL second qualifying round with a 1-1 draw at Thun; Brighton Labeau scored for the Swiss side, Miha Zajc equalised late, and the return leg is set in Zagreb next week. Health & Agriculture: Croatia confirmed two new African swine fever outbreaks on pig farms, bringing the year’s total to 101 in domestic pigs and 187 in wild boars, with authorities stepping up wild boar culling. Diaspora Push: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković launched a Council of Young Croats Outside Croatia and outlined new measures to encourage younger Croats abroad to return, with support funding rising from €16m (2016) to €200m today. Archaeology in the Adriatic: Underwater research off Mljet uncovered 20 new shipwrecks, including a rare Byzantine wreck with luxury gold finds and coins helping date the sinking more precisely. World Cup Afterglow: Croatia’s World Cup squad member Ivor Pandur shared how former Rangers teammates helped convince him to join Ibrox, while Spain’s record-breaking U.S. TV ratings kept the tournament in the spotlight.

African Swine Fever: Croatia confirmed two new African swine fever outbreaks on pig farms, bringing the year’s total to 101 outbreaks in domestic pigs and 187 cases in wild boars, with authorities stepping up containment and culling of wild boar to protect the livestock sector. Energy & Industry: INA says it has completed the first of five planned North Adriatic gas wells, with the Ana-4 DIR well delivering about 160,000 cubic meters of gas per day after testing, as preparations begin to connect it to the production system. Diplomacy: Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka will visit Croatia on 23–24 July, meeting Croatia’s top officials and holding a memorial in Split for four Czech citizens who died in a June maritime accident. Public Safety: Police recovered the bodies of three Egyptian nationals after they went missing while swimming in the Sava River near Zagreb, with strong currents blamed for the tragedy. Tourism & Culture: Dubrovnik is shortlisted for the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards and is also getting a social-media boost from influencer Shay Sullivan’s honeymoon posts. Weather & Firefighting: Dubrovnik-Neretva County saw seven aerial firefighting interventions this season, as Croatia’s air units responded to 33 wildfires along the Adriatic between mid-June and July 21.

Croatia Visa Clarification: Croatia’s Foreign Ministry says it is not liberalising visas for Pakistani nationals, rejecting claims of policy changes; the only option being considered is letting applicants submit paperwork in Islamabad instead of Iran, with no increase in visas or work permits. Environment & Industry: After months of protests, local communities in northeast Croatia celebrate as MHP withdraws from a planned chicken megaproject, cancelling 12 of 24 sub-projects and avoiding stricter environmental impact assessments. Archaeology & Tourism: Croatia’s Đula–Medvedica cave system—the country’s largest—was discovered by chance during railway construction near Ogulin, revealing Ice Age human traces and a prehistoric hunter’s bone about 20,000 years old. Tech & Business: Hrvatski Telekom expands its AI-first B2B push with Beyond Now, aiming to embed AI into customer service and internal workflows, and also touts an “A” ESG rating from LSEG. Sports & Zagreb Interest: Croatia’s World Cup campaign is again in the spotlight amid debate over VAR and controversial calls, including a disallowed late equaliser against Portugal. World Cup Afterglow: Spain’s 1-0 final win over Argentina set U.S. TV viewership records, while the tournament’s controversies keep trending.

Croatia Economy & Jobs: Croatia’s registered unemployment rate fell to a record low of 3.3% in June, down from 3.4% in May, while employment rose to about 1.755 million. World Cup Aftermath (Croatia angle): Spain’s World Cup win has pushed it back to No. 1 in FIFA’s men’s rankings, with Argentina second, France third and England fourth; the tournament also boosted prize money, with Spain taking a record $50m. Zagreb & Tourism: Zagreb’s historic Hotel Esplanade was added to 50 Best Discovery, a global curated platform for notable hotels and experiences. Zagreb Transport: Zagreb’s main bus station is set for major renovation as the first phase gets underway. Science & Industry (Croatia-led): A Croatian-led team at the Ruđer Bošković Institute says it found a simpler way to control porous materials using only a few drops of liquid—potentially aiding carbon capture and chemical separation. Energy: INA completed a new offshore gas well in the North Adriatic, with initial tests confirming gas flow and paving the way for further wells. Demography: Croatia is preparing a new demographic measure offering families with four-plus children up to €15,000 toward buying a seven-seater car, with details expected after the government session.

World Cup Finale: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring after Enzo Fernández was sent off following a second yellow; the match ended with tense scenes after the final whistle. FIFA Rankings: Spain reclaimed No. 1 in the men’s world rankings, pushing Argentina to second; France stays third and England fourth after their 6-4 third-place win over France. Croatia in the table: Croatia sits 13th in the updated FIFA rankings, one spot below Germany. Local Zagreb angle: Zagreb is also dealing with a “graffiti problem,” with a new approach aimed at tackling it. Danube discovery: A nearly 90-year-old cargo ship wreck has resurfaced in Croatia’s Danube near Opatovac as water levels hit record lows, with locals invited to help identify it. Dubrovnik enforcement: Dubrovnik police used a drone in Srebreno to record 41 traffic offences, mainly seat-belt violations. Health watch: ECDC warns of rising ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea strains across Europe, threatening first-line treatment options.

World Cup Wrap: Spain closed the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute and Rodri taking the Golden Ball as player of the tournament; the final also featured VAR drama and a red card that shifted the game’s mood. Croatia in Europe Football: Dinamo Zagreb’s possible opponents are set after the Champions League third qualifying round draw, with the draw also listing other ties that could shape Croatia’s early European campaign. Hibs & Croatian Link: Hibs learned potential Conference League paths that could include Rijeka (Croatia) in a possible third-round matchup, depending on results. Croatian Economy Watch: The Croatian National Bank warns financial stability risks are “moderately elevated,” citing faster credit growth, rising house prices, and growing interest-rate exposure for households and banks. Zagreb/Local Culture: Zagreb’s graffiti problem is getting a new approach, as the city looks to fight back with fresh tactics. Tech & Education: EU-CONEXUS’s marine biotechnology master’s program (with Frederick University involved) received a Joint European Degree Label in Brussels.

World Cup Finale: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner and La Roja sealing a second title. Golden Boot Race: Kylian Mbappé won his second straight World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, becoming the first player to top the scoring charts at multiple finals; Lionel Messi finished with 8 and was blanked in the final. Golden Ball Talk: Rodri took home the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, despite Messi and Mbappé’s headline numbers. Prize Money: FIFA’s expanded 2026 purse hit a record $871 million for all 48 teams, with the champions taking $51 million and runners-up $34 million. Local Zagreb Angle: Zagreb’s tourism and city-life stories keep bubbling up alongside the sports frenzy, including a report on how Zagreb is tackling its graffiti problem with a new approach. Dubrovnik Tourism Boost: BBC Travel highlighted Dubrovnik’s new Camino trail, pushing visitors beyond the Old City for a quieter, more sustainable experience.

World Cup Final: Argentina and Spain meet in the 2026 final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Argentina chasing a back-to-back title and Spain aiming for a second crown since 2010; the match also caps a record 48-team tournament across the US, Canada and Mexico. Golden Boot & Golden Ball buzz: Kylian Mbappé has become World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, while Lionel Messi heads into the final two behind the Golden Boot lead and with a strong case for another Golden Ball. England fallout: England’s campaign ends with a third-place win over France 6-4, but Thomas Tuchel faces fresh criticism after comments about the “game no one wants to play,” and Micah Richards called his handling of Bukayo Saka “bizarre.” Croatia angle: Croatia’s natural increase remains positive in 2025, and the migration surplus narrowed but stayed positive; plus, Zagreb Reporter readers get a cultural hit with Dubrovnik klapa Kaše winning top prizes at Omiš. Regional politics: Bosnia and Herzegovina sovereignty concerns resurface after reactions to a Croatian Parliament resolution, with groups warning against ethnicization and interference.

World Cup Wrap (Croatia angle): Croatia’s new coach Slaven Bilić says his first priority is talking with Luka Modrić about extending his international career, stressing the decision is Modrić’s. World Cup (global): Kylian Mbappé became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 third-place loss to England in Miami, leapfrogging Lionel Messi. England-France Bronze Match: England beat France 6-4 in the “bronze match,” with Thomas Tuchel rotating heavily and leaving out Kobbie Mainoo from the matchday squad due to injury. Golden Boot & stakes: Mbappé’s brace moved him to the top of the Golden Boot race ahead of Messi, while the third-place game still carries major prize money. Local/Region (Zagreb readers): A heatwave is hitting Serbia and parts of Southeast Europe, with hospitals reporting more heat-related emergencies.

African Football & World Cup: Morocco’s World Cup run ends in the quarterfinals after a 2-1 defeat to France, closing another standout tournament for African teams. Bronze Final Focus: France and England play for third place in Miami today, with TV coverage on FOX/Telemundo and streaming via FIFA+ and major platforms; the match also keeps the Golden Boot race alive, since third-place goals count. Golden Boot Race: Kylian Mbappé is tied with Lionel Messi on eight goals, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are close on six each, all chasing the top scorer prize in the final match of the tournament for their teams. Croatia Agriculture: Croatia is tightening African swine fever controls after 89 outbreaks were confirmed, with 2,822 pigs culled so far; officials warn about illegal transport and unregistered pigs and plan new measures next week. Croatia Environment: Croatia has produced its first national microplastics reference data for drinking water, setting a baseline for future monitoring. Dubrovnik Green Upgrade: Dubrovnik starts a €447,912 “Tree Avenue – Green Ring Around the City” project near the historic walls, aiming to plant 57 new trees and improve resilient green space. Zagreb Finances: Croatian households’ financial assets reached €120bn in Q1 2026, up 8.8% year on year, according to the central bank.