Croatia

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife ZAGREB/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Official results show Social Democrat Ivo Josipovic has won the most votes in the first round of Croatia's presidential election, but not enough for a first round victory. Josipovic will face the controversial mayor of the capital Zagreb in a run-off election next month.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewslife reporting from Dobova, Slovenia DOBOVA, SLOVENIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christians are among record numbers of refugees rushing to Europe despite questions whether the European Union’s pledged assistance can come quickly enough to make a difference as winter sets in. Slovenia’s Prime Minister Miro Cerar has even warned that if some immediate and concrete actions on the ground is not delivered within the next few days and weeks the European Union and Europe as a whole will start falling apart.

By BosNewsLife News Center BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- The November 11-17 newsweek was marked by reports of Islamic militants attacking churches and, in at least one case, beheading a young Christian man "for leaving Islam", though believers continued to gather in worship expressing their faith in Christ and in their future.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife ZAGREB/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Pope Benedict XVI says he supports Croatia's membership in the European Union (EU) if the mainly Catholic Balkan nation helps to defend Christian values. The pontiff made his remarks in the capital, Zagreb, at the start of his two-day trip to the country.

Listen to this BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio:  By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST/THE HAGUE (BosNewsLife)-- The trial of former Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic, the last fugitive sought by the United Nations Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, has resumed at The Hague.

Listen to this BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio: By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Central and Eastern Europe is trying to overcome a stubborn heat wave that has overshadowed Europe's largest music festival and caused wild fires in the Balkans.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Bos report Download (MP3) ZAGREB, CROATIA (BosNewsLife)-- Croatia is facing political turmoil, after Prime Minister Ivo Sanader suddenly resigned, citing personal reasons. Sanader's announcement comes amid economic concerns in the country that has been trying to join the European Union.

Listen to this BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio:  By Stefan J. Bos, Chief Internatonal Correspondent BosNewsLife THE HAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague has marked its 20th anniversary on Monday, amid concern about the future of some cases. Dutch King Willem-Alexander was among those invited to commemorate the occasion at a time when the United Nations court is under pressure to end its operations.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Zagreb, Croatia with additional reporting by Linda Bordoni in Vatican City ZAGREB, CROATIA (BosNewsLife)-- Residents...

Listen to this BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio click: EXTRACROATIA By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent ZAGREB, CROATIA (BosNewsLife)-- Croatia has joined the European Union as the 28th member state after celebrations that were overshadowed by concerns about its future.Yet, while the heads of state from all six ex-Yugoslav republics were among the guests, leaders of several EU nations such as Britain, France and notably Germany -- the first to recognize Croatia's independence -- did not attend.