More Republicans call for a smooth transition as Trump continues spreading baseless fraud claims.
Some Republican governors have also acknowledged the need for a smooth transition. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas stated that Mr. Biden should have access to intelligence briefings and stressed the need for a smooth transition of power for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine, while also acknowledging that there was “a process” to accepting the outcome of the election, including the ongoing recount in Georgia.Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, a supporter of Mr. Trump, told CNN on Sunday that it was “important for a normal transition” to the next presidential administration to begin, saying, “We have to have faith in our judicial system, faith in our electoral system.”- Advertisement – – Advertisement – Even as more top Republicans urged President Trump on Sunday to allow for an orderly presidential transition, the president himself, after briefly appearing to acknowledge his election loss, resumed spreading the kinds of baseless accusations of election fraud that his supporters have embraced.Though his tweet on Sunday that Joseph R. Biden Jr. “won because the Election was Rigged” at least appeared to recognize Mr. Biden’s victory (though Mr. Trump vowed not to concede), by Monday morning, he had resumed his former refrain, tweeting, “I won the Election!” His campaign’s lawsuits, built around claims that, among other things, Republican poll watchers were not allowed to observe ballot counting and that tabulation machines were tainted, have been mostly rejected in court.- Advertisement – Another former Trump national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, said on CNN on Sunday of Mr. Trump’s claim of a rigged election, “It’s just wrong, it’s regrettable, it’s counterproductive.” – Advertisement –
While he voiced support for Mr. Trump’s various legal challenges to the election, he said, “On the other hand, it’s clear that, certainly based on what we know now, that Joe Biden is the president-elect.”Many of Mr. Trump’s supporters are just as adamant as the president himself in refusing to accept the results of the election. Thousands of them rallied behind him in Washington on Saturday. They were met with counterprotests, and violence ensued Saturday night as the police made 21 arrests and one person was stabbed. John R. Bolton, Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, on Sunday joined the chorus of Republicans urging Mr. Trump to accept defeat, warning on ABC’s “This Week” of the threat to the country if the president made “life as difficult as he can” for the incoming administration and calling the Trump team’s litigation “the legal equivalent of pitching pennies.”“I think it’s very important for leaders of the Republican Party to explain to our voters — who are not as stupid as the Democrats think — that, in fact, Trump has lost the election and that his claims of election fraud are baseless,” Mr. Bolton said.
(CIDRAP Source Weekly Briefing) – The Source Weekly Briefing is dedicated to providing critical information that both the private and public sectors can act on to develop comprehensive and effective pandemic preparedness plans. However, we recognize the unique challenge that the next pandemic poses for such planning, particularly as it will affect the global, just-in-time economy. Because so much is uncertain about the next pandemic, one could conclude that there isn’t much we can truly do to prepare.The lead article in this issue is the second in a two-part series examining the ability of food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to deliver food in a pandemic. Weekly Briefing staff writer Mary Van Beusekom has clearly and convincingly highlighted the best and worst in pandemic preparedness activities for one of our most critical private sectors: the food system.Front-and-center issueYou may be tempted to minimize the importance of food-sector pandemic planning because it’s not your business. Nothing could be further from the truth.If your workers can’t get access to food during a pandemic for all the reasons detailed in these articles, how can you expect them to be available and willing to work even if you provide them with preventive measures against influenza, such as antiviral drugs, respirators, or masks? You can’t.You also must think about what this means to your family. Even if the business consideration doesn’t motivate you, the impact that a lack of food has on your loved ones should be a compelling reason to be concerned about this issue and to demand more of your grocery store management—and their bosses.Together, the US Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Homeland Security must follow the lead of companies like Alex Lee to develop real plans to protect the nation’s food supply. And key trade organizations such as the Food Marketing Institute (which serves the needs of food distributors, grocery wholesalers, and retail supermarkets) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association (which includes food, beverage, and consumer product companies) must be integrally involved in this planning. Plans must be national and even international in scope for securing at least a subsistence food supply during a pandemic. To date none of these organizations have developed comprehensive, tested plans.The Weekly Briefing food series also raises important concerns about strategies that selected food companies have employed to develop pandemic plans. I’ve learned that some companies require their suppliers to sign affidavits indicating that their companies have workable pandemic plans in place. But we can take very limited comfort in these pieces of “legal paper.” Many of these statements are barely worth the paper they are printed on, because suppliers are in no better position to prepare for a pandemic than are their buyers.In short, we need pandemic preparedness leadership from the private sector, which to date has been absent from far too many areas of the country’s business community.As a September 2006 report by the Department of Homeland Security put it, “Eighty-five percent of critical infrastructure resources reside in the private sector, which generally lacks individual and system-wide business continuity plans specifically for catastrophic health emergencies such as pandemic influenza.”Bottom line for businessThe articles on the pandemic preparedness status of the food wholesale and retail industry in this country were not intended to give a black eye for a critical business sector we largely take for granted every day. Rather, we believe they represent a clarion call to all businesses and their employees to inform themselves of what they can expect during the pandemic and what they can do now to minimize the eventual impact.If you are in the healthcare, energy-generation, transportation, or telecommunications industries, it’s understandable if you haven’t made the food wholesale and retail sector a priority. That has to change. And, for that matter, the food-supply sector also needs to be concerned about the preparedness status of the energy, transportation, healthcare, and telecommunications industries.Business leaders in every community should demand that CEOs of the primary food retailers (and in turn, upstream suppliers) in these communities detail what they are doing to ensure an adequate food supply during the next pandemic. We need many more Alex Lees and SYSCOs when the pandemic begins. Now is the time to make that happen.
When 1000 people from all over Croatia appear at the conference in Zagreb on the first snowy weekend this year, despite the barely passable roads, it is a confirmation that they are very eager for new knowledge and the need for networking because they are aware that this is the only way they can be more successful. .The Fourth National Forum of Family Accommodation (FOS), held on February 2 and 3 in the Congress Hall of the Zagreb Fair, will be remembered not only for the excellent attendance and good organization, but also for the news that could be heard there, which should further strengthen the largest branch of tourism. markets in the country. The great response was also impressed by the Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli, who stated on stage that Croatia has what others do not have, and that is family accommodation!It was a moment of encouragement for those gathered that the state is aware of the importance of small private renters and wants to help them raise the quality of this service, which with 92.000 registered facilities makes up more than half of the domestic market. Cappelli said that finally this year we can expect recategorization and favorable HBOR loans for this type of accommodation with interest rates of up to 3 percent, which will be preceded by the adoption of changes in the law in the hospitality industry. He explained that this does not mean that someone will have to stop dealing with it due to high categorization due to high investment costs, but that the state will make it easier for him to invest since the quality of this accommodation is just as important as in camps and hotels.Today, the guest will rather pay more for an experience in a hut at 1000 meters altitude, where the host will prepare organic potatoes under the baking lid, than for a 5-course gala dinner in a hotel or restaurant.The first man of the European Association of Family Accommodation, Carlos Villaro Lassen, also landed at the Forum from Brussels, supporting the demand for household accommodation and higher-than-expected growth. Numerous online platforms that have built their businesses on the offer of accommodation have certainly contributed to this, as well as the ever-improving quality of the offer and the need to experience local communities and people. He confirmed that the trends are changing rapidly in favor of small household capacities, saying that 11 million beds were registered in hotels in Europe, and as many as 20 million in “short-term rental” facilities. While some European cities such as Berlin, Paris and Portugal are trying to suppress it, and some are even denying it, such as Venice, he cited Croatia as a country that has managed to adequately regulate it. Lassen personally congratulated Cappelli on our model of flat-rate taxation of household service providers and more than 540.000 registered beds, noting that we are cited in Europe as an example in creating legislative frameworks.That we managed to create recognition, we convincingly confirmed at last year’s awards ceremony for the best European holiday homes, where Croatia won in 4 of 8 categories. The winners (Villa Vista Zamask in Istria in the category of the most original house, Villa Sreser from Peljesac for the best house on the coast, Villa Falcon Rook from Konavle for the best family house and Villa Vadedija near Zminj for the best wellness house) were awarded by Lassen at the Forum.Photo: HGKAt the same time, the awards “Tourist flower-quality for Croatia 2017″ were awarded. in 11 categories, and the title of the best accommodation of the year was awarded to Linden Tree resort & ranch from Velika Plana. This intimate and luxurious refuge nestled on 50 hectares of the Velebit mountain also won in the category for the best eco-accommodation. The best accommodation for a family is Sunny Apartments in Zagreb, the best accommodation for an active vacation is Villa Falcon Rook from Konavle, the best accommodation for pets is the cottage Bobica from Pokupsko, the best accommodation without barriers is boarding house Mamica from Puscina, and the most original accommodation Bear’s Log from Rakovica. The award for the best accommodation in rural tourism went to B&B Tinka from Momjan, for the best accommodation in nature was chosen B&B Casa Rustica from Vodnjan, the best accommodation on the coast was Villa Evelyn from Fažana, and the best accommodation in the city was the apartment Emerald from Zagreb.On the first day, a panel was held on the possible impact of the recently postponed real estate tax on family tourism, where we heard that Croatia is not even close to its introduction because, as Željko Uhlir, State Secretary of the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, said, we have only 3,5% data between land registers and cadastres, and we lack a real estate register. Assistant Director of the Tax Administration Marijana Vuraić Kudeljan confirmed that this tax is not currently a topic in the Ministry of Finance, and hopes that it will remain so, said Nedo Pinezić, one of the most deserving persons for the development of family accommodation in Croatia, saying that the introduction of new charges is unacceptable. just because we have too expensive and inefficient public administration.However, Luka Benko from the Zagreb Tourist Board showed that the rapid development of short-term rent should not be left to itself. In the last 10 years, private accommodation there has grown by an incredible 3181 percent! Not so long ago in 2007 there were only 57 renters in the city, and today there are 2954 of them with a total of 7121 beds. Such growth brings with it the other side of the coin. Out of 100 open facilities, 25 are closed, which means that this activity is not for those who think that it is enough to refresh the paint on the walls and change the bed linen and towels, and guests will flock in large numbers. To survive in an increasingly competitive market, it is necessary to understand the rules of the new digital revolution, market trends, finances, communication skills, speak foreign languages and be original and excellent in the offer because guests are looking for the maximum for their money.What financially means short-term bed rental we heard from family accommodation advisor Anamarija Cicarelli, who showed the average annual amount of basic costs of a double apartment (which includes VAT on commission, price of advertising on portals, investment in real estate, overhead costs, cleaning, bed linen washing, welcome of guests and flat tax and sojourn tax) in the amount of 17.000 kn. Only when we take all this into account, we can create the price of our bed and see if it is achievable given the competition and the attractiveness of the destination. We saw that Croatia with an average price of 45 euros is cheaper than Montenegro and Slovenia, which is not in our interest because we really have something to offer and according to guest ratings and the latest Booking.com research, we are the best hosts in Europe. We strengthen the price by additional offer and connecting in clusters through the branding system, which is the only way to avoid the image of a cheap destination and sustainable tourism.One of the most interesting lectures was by Vanja Šebek from the University of Algebra on the life cycles of our users and their behavior on the Internet. This certified Google trainer explained how the user goes through 4 key stages before choosing a destination before becoming our guest, and the better we understand his habits, the sooner we will catch him in our network, i.e. sell him our bed. This process can take from a couple of hours to a year, and when the guest finally arrives, in 85% of cases it is only on the spot that he decides on the activities at the destination. By then we must already have enough information to offer him innovative content according to his wishes. “Learn from your guests because they are your mirror”, Said Sebek.RRIF advisor Ljerka Markota spoke about the tax obligations of household accommodation providers, emphasizing that everyone must have a VAT identification number and pay VAT on commission to foreign OTA platforms as small taxpayers because it is our obligation since joining the EU. The head of the Croatian Climate Change Panel, Vjeran Piršić, reminded that Croatia, like the rest of the world, is exposed to the negative effects of climate change, which also result in significant economic losses. Disasters such as prolonged droughts, floods or fires paralyze tourism, but this topic is often imposed too late only when disasters like last year’s fire in Dalmatia occur.The forum was best concluded by UNDP international tourism expert Tim Clancy, who said that we are our greatest strength and that today the guest would rather pay more for an experience in a hut at 1000 meters, where the host will prepare organic potatoes under the baking lid, than for a 5-course gala dinner at a hotel or restaurant. According to UNWTO estimates, the passion for travel will continue to grow in the coming period, and we are the ones who must attract them with original content and hospitality as promoters of the indigenous lifestyle. At the same time, we must be careful not to eat ourselves because of tourism, because as a small country we already have one of the highest tourist traffic densities in the EU of as many as 3 arrivals per capita.Otherwise, we could be hit by a Spanish or Italian scenario where their most visited destinations suffer greatly from the consequences of mass tourism. One of the founders of the concept of sustainable tourism, Jost Krippendorf, best described it in the eighties – “Where a growing crowd seeks rest, fewer and fewer find it”.Related news:MINISTER CAPPELLI ANNOUNCES RECATEGORIZATION OF FAMILY ACCOMMODATION AND FAVORABLE HBOR LOANSLINDEN TREE RETREAT & RANCHA FROM VELIKA PLANA NAMED THE BEST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION IN CROATIA
Apple’s application that works on the principle of artificial intelligence has made the voice of Susan Bennet mega popular and known to the world as Siri, and this year Siri will be able to listen live at the Communications Days in Rovinj where it comes with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board.Susan Bennet’s name is not globally known, but that’s why her voice, or as she would say alter ego Siri – is. We know the voice of Susan Bennet as Siri who addresses the world from the iPhone application, and this year we will listen to her at the Communications Days with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board. “I am extremely glad that we have the opportunity to bring a world-renowned lecturer to Croatia. Apart from the fact that her lecture will further enrich this festival, which has a proven impact on the way we perceive products and services in all sectors, including tourism, I am sure that her stay in Croatia will be an excellent opportunity to further promote our country as an attractive tourist destination.e ”said Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”Apple’s Siri is an intelligent personal assistant, one of the first applications that operate on the principle of artificial intelligence, which is becoming increasingly present in society and thus in the marketing industry. Director of the Communication Day and director of the festival program, Dunja Ivana Ballon said: “This year we are bringing big names with big ideas. Siri, i.e. Susan Bennett, will share with us how she has become one of the most popular voices in the world. Her sometimes resolute and provocative voice is familiar to everyone, and millions of people seek her advice every day. She is another in a series of lecturers we bring to the Days of Communication to inspire festival visitors. Judging by the previous registrations, we will break records again, because we already have more registrations than we did last year, a record number of visitors in total.. “At the lecture “Accidentally Famous” in Rovinj, Susan will talk about how she became the mega popular Siri by accident. She will reveal a few unknown details about Apple’s Siri app and VoiceOver business, and from personal experience she will talk about how much this has affected her life and future.Along with Siri, we could also hear Susan in successful films like Mission Impossible 4 or the animated film The Lego Batman Movie, and she has also worked as a Voice Artist on numerous campaigns.About the festival Days of Communication Communication Days has for years confirmed its position as an unavoidable event that brings together advertisers, agencies, public relations professionals, media representatives, students and other professionals from the communications industry. Last year’s edition of the festival broke all records of attendance and satisfaction of participants.The sixth edition of the Communication Day will be held from 12 to 15 April 2018 at the Lone Hotel in Rovinj, and will bring experts to Croatia who dictate the trends and future of our industry. Among the first names announced are Jayanta Jenkins (global creative director, Twitter) and Brad Parscale (director of digital media for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign).Visitors can expect hot topics from the industry related to technology, innovation, revolutionary ideas and data management. In addition to lectures by top speakers, the Communication Days are also known for the Effie, IdejaX, Mixx and Young Lions Croatia awards, which the profession awards to the best in the industry for special achievements and outstanding market communication.See more about Communication Days and the festival program here
In order to strengthen the role of the cravat in branding and positioning Croatia in the world, an expert meeting “Tie (diplomacy)” was held in Zagreb, organized by the Academia Cravatica and the Public Diplomacy Club of the Croatian Society for the UN. As part of the expert meeting, the writer Miro Gavran was proclaimed the first Croatian Ambassador of the cravat, with a solemn inauguration in which the military-historical unit Kravat Regiment also participated. Boris Ljubičić presented to the audience the logo of the World Tie Day, which he signed and which has been used for several years as an official logo within the campaign and celebration of the World Tie Day. Along with Frko Petešić and Markotić, in the panel discussion that followed, prof. dr. sc. Goran Bandov, lawyer and political scientist, associate professor and vice dean of the College of International Relations and Diplomacy Dag Hammarskjöld, Milada Privora, mag. ing. arh, former director of the State Protocol of the Republic of Croatia and head of the Protocol of the President of the Republic of Croatia, prof. dr. sc. Božo Skoko, associate professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, dealing with corporate communication and identity and image management, Darell Šarić, leading strategist in brand management full service marketing agency Hipmedia and Ivica Vidović, a well-known Croatian marketing expert.”The tie should be seen as a global, ubiquitous reminder of Croatia. What the iPhone is for the USA and Samsung for Korea, it should be our tie for Croatia. About the Croatian tie at last we need to tell a story in the world, and it is this professional gathering, which emphasizes the importance of the tie for branding Croatia, that is a step in that direction. “, he said in his presentation mr. sc. Zvonimir Frka Petešić. Academician Reiner emphasized that in 2020 and the period of Croatia’s presidency of the Council Europe sees it as an ideal opportunity to promote neckties around the world. “The tie is a world symbol of diplomacy, dignity and balance, and therefore of democracy in the world” pointed out Reiner, and prof. dr. sc. Božo Skoko and prof. dr. sc. Goran Bandov agreed that Croatia needs a branding strategy in which the tie plays a big role. The decision of all panelists, but also representatives of the present institutions, sponsors and partners of the expert meeting, that already this year a stronger stamp will be given to the celebration of World Tie Day around the world, especially in Croatian embassies and consular offices. It is important to emphasize that with this expert meeting Academia Cravatica, an institution dedicated to researching the history and modernity of the cravat, began its traditional activities in the run-up to the World Necktie Day, which is celebrated on October 18. , European and world cultural heritage. Related news:
/ / / The Association of Landlords from Cres is organizing the first public forum on the amount of the flat tax On the one hand, it is a great move to bring the Decision to the local level, but on the other hand, in the new Law on Amendments to the Law on Income Tax, there is a big hole in the law that the proponents did not notice, which will certainly cause various controversies. . Day by day, more and more cities and municipalities make decisions on the amount of flat tax, and for now most cities and municipalities decide not to change the amount of flat tax, especially in the continental part and underdeveloped tourist areas. For example, a property owner can live and be registered in Zagreb or Karlovac, where there will be a smaller flat tax, and the property he rents can be on Hvar. Thus, the collection of the flat tax would flow to the city or municipality where the owner is registered and where he lives (in this case in Zagreb or Karlovac, not on Hvar), and not at the place where the apartments / real estate are located where the tourist activity is performed. , which of course leads to lower income for the local community where the property is located. As the purpose of the tax, as well as its possible increase, is to invest in local infrastructure that is cracking at the seams, the question is how much tax from the lump sum will learn in the city and municipal budgets. In accordance with the provisions of the new Law on Amendments to the Law on Income Tax, the Decision on the amount of flat tax for renters is no longer made by the Ministry of Tourism but by the representative body of local self-government units. The law stipulates that the lump sum may not be less than HRK 150 or more than HRK 1.500. However, if the local self-government unit does not make a decision within the set deadline, at the latest until January 31, 2019, according to the new law, the lump sum will amount to HRK 750,00 per bed, ie accommodation unit in the camp. PRIVATE RENTERS ON STRIKE: WHO PROFITS AND WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? Of course, in the whole story about family accommodation in Croatia, a good distinction should be made between family accommodation, private renters and “real estate agents”. One is family accommodation and hosts who welcome and take care of their guests and most often offer accommodation facilities within their houses, private renters who offer their apartments and apartments, who do not have to be registered and live where the real estate is, as well as tourist real estate / buildings with a larger number of apartments built exclusively for rent in tourism. / / / The flat tax in Mali Lošinj remains the same
/ / / The flat tax for renters in Karlovac will not increase RELATED NEWS: RENTERS HAVE THE MOST BENEFITS FROM TOURISM? We are waiting for a reaction on this topic from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tax Administration, but the question is whether it can change this oversight, ie change that the flat tax is kept as a communal tax, and not as an income tax. Namely, the loophole in the new law leads to the flat tax as an income tax, not as a utility tax. It is this “small” fact that leads to the possibility that the landlord pays taxes according to the place of residence of the owner, and not according to the place where the property itself is located. It should be emphasized that the flat tax has been calculated the same so far, but that the flat tax for renters was more or less the same everywhere, so there were no major differences in the amount of flat tax, which the new law allows (from 150 kn to 1.500 kn). ) As the law defines the deadline for making a decision on the amount of the flat tax (January 31, 2019), then all classes of the flat tax in all cities and municipalities in Croatia will be known exactly. And with that, there will be calculations and calculations on how to make the best use of this hole in the law. WITH THE ENTRY IN THE NEW YEAR, THE RESIDENCE TAX WAS INCREASED 
Kumica Barica Photo: Nevio Smajić / Greenpeace “We can’t move, but you have to. ”, is the new slogan of the excellent Greenpeace campaign in Croatia, in which monuments all over the country have appeared these days with the mentioned messages. As always, the power is in ourselves, ie in the hands of consumers. Because if we change and start looking for hotels and destinations (products and companies in general) that have embarked on a path of green and sustainable transformation, we will accelerate the whole process and focus the global story on plastic disposal and sustainable development. Start with yourself. The campaign was a great hit not only with the concept, but also with the messages. Thus, the Father of Croatian Marine Biology, Špiro Brusin, can be seen in Zadar looking thoughtfully at a shell in which traces of microplastics are visible, while in Zagreb Tesla was holding his head and just muttering: “So is it really that hard to solve?» A beautiful parallel, if only every man could see the Earth from space. From Greenpeace, therefore, they launched petition seeking their ban. In two and a half months, the petition was signed by more than 40.000 people. This shows that despite their ubiquity, there is a growing awareness of the harmfulness of bags and disposable plastics in general. “People actually want to put an end to all that strong plastic, to stop stuffing them with bags at every step and burying them in plastic packaging. Citizens agree that a systemic solution is needed and show a sincere will to look for an alternative in everyday life”Said Petra Andrić, Greenpeace’s campaign manager. The world’s largest hotel chains Marriott and Hyatt have launched a global movement and environmental action to eliminate plastic straws inside their hotels, restaurants and bars. The action was joined by many other hotel chains such as Hilton, Accor, Hyat, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Walt Disney Company, InterContinental and many others. PS Just this week, a video was released where investor and researcher Victor Vescovo dived to a depth of 10.928 meters in the Pacific Ocean, specifically the Mariana Trench, which is also the deepest place on Earth. And what did he find literally at the bottom of the sea? Plastic bag. Did you know that the total consumption of plastic bags in Croatia is about 200 bags per capita per year[? That means 830 million bags a year in total here alone. If we put these bags in a row, we would bridge the distance from the Earth to the Moon, or encircle the Earth around the equator as many as nine times. All the groceries fit in a canvas bag! Finally, I don’t know how many more times, I will point out and quote a French astronaut who talks about the Earth while watching it from the International Space Station (ISS) for the documentary “The Future According to Starck”, who put forward a phenomenal hypothesis and pointed out: ” When you look at the Earth from space, don’t be surprised if you get chills or tears. It’s so impressive. The ISS’s journey around the Earth takes an hour and a half, 45 minutes you see the part of the Earth where the day is, and the next 45 minutes you see the part where the night is. You see lightning that illuminates the clouds, aurora borealis… If you fly around the equator, for 45 minutes you see the northern hemisphere where it is winter, everything is white and perfectly clean, and for the next 45 minutes you watch summer. And that is something special. If all people could see the earth from space, they would realize that we are all the same, that we are all in the same spacecraft – and a small one! The parallel is even clearer in our ship. You have limited resources, so pay attention to every drop of water you drink, wash yourself, pay attention to electricity consumption because you must not run out of it. We must think on Earth as we do on a ship. What is our goal on Earth? Let’s all live together. May we all be happy, may we pass on to children the joy of living, creating, discovering and finding a way for the human race to survive as long as possible in the future.” 
WORLD HOTCHAIN CHAINS THROW PLASTIC STRAWS Greenpeace ‘s petition to ban plastic bags is still open for signature on HERE At Maistra’s Hotel Adriatic in Rovinj, they will throw out all disposable plastic items and replace them with available alternatives. The aim of the campaign is to raise public awareness that due to the poor quality of plastic bags, they are used briefly, due to low prices they are distributed uncontrollably and most importantly cause enormous damage to the environment, and it is easy to replace them with alternatives. 
And some of our hotel groups, such as Valamar and Maistra, joined the movement. As of August 1, Valamar Riviera guests will no longer be able to get classic, plastic straws, but only biodegradable cellulose straws. Namely, the largest Croatian tourist company is thus joining the world’s green campaign of putting plastic straws out of use. Special attention is paid to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing water consumption, reducing waste production, recycling, wastewater treatment and reuse for irrigation and in the process of washing in laundries, improving the use of solar energy, procurement of environmentally friendly materials, especially key investments, but also to educate guests, employees and the local population about the importance of preserving the Adriatic coast and the sea, and to organize actions for cleaning the coast and the seabed. With the same goal, Valamar Riviera also throws out plastic straws. Orson Welles Photo: Maja Prgomet / Greenpeace Hotel employees, suppliers, partners and guests and citizens who enjoy hotel services are actively involved in the implementation of this initiative. In 2018, Adriatic started using replacement paper straws instead of plastic ones, and by June this year the hotel will stop using 80 percent of plastic products (bathroom amenities, beverage bottles, bags, containers, cups, etc.) for single use in order to by the end of 2019, it will be completely out of use in all its accommodation units, bars and restaurants. Furthermore, by the end of the year, Adriatic will use only biological cleaners and support cooperation with suppliers whose products (cosmetics, printed materials and even staff uniforms) are made from natural, biological, environmentally friendly or recycled materials. ZLARIN’S FIRST CROATIAN ISLAND WITHOUT DISPOSABLE PLASTICS The European Parliament agreed with the ambitious measures proposed by the European Commission to address the problem of marine litter, and the “Disposable Plastics Directive” was adopted, which deals directly with marine litter thanks to a series of ambitious measures.In cases where there are easily available and affordable alternatives, disposable plastic products will be banned on the EU market. So from 2021 they should no longer be sold plastic earplugs, cutlery, plates, straws, beverage sticks, lightweight bags, balloon holders, oxo-degradable plastic and certain styrofoam articles. In Croatia, the collection of light plastic carrying bags (up to 50 microns) is mandatory, with the exception of the so-called very light, which should be followed by the notice “Use the bags sparingly”. This provision entered into force in January 2019, but in many places it is not implemented at all or implementation is inadequate. Greenpeace believes that this will not achieve the intention of the Plastic Bags Directive to have a maximum per capita consumption of 90 lightweight plastic bags per person by the end of 2019, or 40 by the end of 2025. When we talk about the alternative, unfortunately humanity is obviously not responding to all the warning signs, at least not enough, and the only solution is to ban lightweight plastic bags for carrying and the use of Eco canvas bags. And that alone can significantly improve the situation, especially in the future. PLASTIC STRAWS, WHICH ARE PRODUCED IN A FEW SECONDS, ARE USED ON AVERAGE FOR ONLY TEN MINUTES, AND THEY DECOMPOSE EVEN 500 YEARS, AND 80% OF PLASTICS IN THE SEA COME FROM LAND. Thus, a dozen statues in Croatia, in protest against the mass use of plastic bags, “took” their canvas bags to the city, thus supporting the campaign Greenpeacea in Croatia. 1. Šetač, Osijek / Photo: Alen Večanin 2. Marija Jurić Zagorka, Zagreb / Photo: Nevio Smajić The great news is that disposable plastic items will be banned in the EU from 2021. PLANET OR PLASTIC / Great National Geographic campaign Spiro Brusina Photo: Mihovil Zrilić / Greenpeace
Furthermore, user facilities that were damaged by the earthquake in the area of the City of Zagreb to the extent that they cannot continue to operate, are completely exempt from paying the fee. In accordance with previous information that we will meet the needs of music users and provide support in the form of relief, in these difficult times for all stakeholders, we bring information about the latest business decisions related to March and the next periods in which facilities will be closed: Beneficiaries: catering facilities, hotels, gyms, service activities and similar beneficiaries for the month of March will receive solidarity benefits. Having in mind the special situation in which music users find themselves, but also the worsening position of its members, musicians who are among the first and most severely affected by the crisis, we announce: for the period from 14.3. Furthermore, in which these users do not operate or use musical works in Croatia, there is no obligation or obligation to pay a fee for a music license. For the first 14 days of March, in which catering and other facilities (hotels, crafts, gyms, salons, etc.) in the country worked hard, we grant a 50% discount to the above users for a license. We believe that these special measures are sufficient proof of how we see partners in the users even in the worst period for the business of all entities in the country. We hope that music eases worries for everyone in these difficult times, and that toasts will soon be toasted in all bars in the country to end the epidemic and return to normal life. HDS ZAMP, which represents authors and rights holders in musical works, raises funds and pays royalties, addressed a statement to caterers and service industries, which are among the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and which we are transmitting in its entirety. At the same time, and important for the general public: we ask everyone to understand the position of about 10.000 members, musicians, authors and rights holders for whom HDS ZAMP collects fees. In a situation where all music events were canceled first, they were the first to be left without direct income on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Although this is a term that users know how to use for a music license, it is not a “levy” but the income of musicians who try to live and feed their families from that income, just like other entrepreneurs. All of them, as well as caterers, pay income tax, VAT and other taxes for their entrepreneurial activity. To further facilitate their return to normal operations upon completion of the Government’s extraordinary measures, they will be able to pay this reduced amount of compensation for the month of March in 3 monthly installments. Please note that this is a total of 25% of the amount in relation to the regular indebtedness as it was for, for example, the month of February in which business was normal. With the termination of the Government’s extraordinary measures, we will make a decision on the amount of the monthly fee for the first and subsequent months in which the user’s facilities will resume operation, ie the use of musical works.