Croatia switches to euro, enters borderless Europe club

13 Sept 23:21 Key points summarised by AI

Croatia officially adopted the euro and joined the passport-free Schengen zone on Sunday, marking two significant integration milestones nearly a decade after joining the EU.
The move makes Croatia the 20th member of the eurozone and the 27th nation in the Schengen area, allowing free movement for over 400 million people.
Experts anticipate the euro adoption will stabilize Croatia's economy, shielding it from global inflation and lowering borrowing costs, despite some public concerns about potential price increases.
Entry into the Schengen zone is expected to significantly boost Croatia's crucial tourism industry by eliminating border checks with EU neighbors, enhancing travel convenience.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Yesterday 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.