Although Croatia has legislation that allows for the establishment of energy communities, administrative obstacles and opposition from the energy sector are blocking progress. Citizens and NGOs are champing at the bit. "It's a catch 22," says Goran Cacic when asked about the legal technicalities preventing his Green Energy Cooperative, a Zagreb-based NGO, from becoming a full-fledged citizen energy community. Cacic wants his renewable energy collective to be able to share and distribute electricity as well as produce it, which it does now. "Croatia's energy regulator says we need to register to 'organize citizen energy communities,' but the courts don't recognize that as an official activity and won't let us," he explains. But that isn't the only obstacle blocking citizen energy communities over two years after the Croatian parliament established a legal basis for them. Green activist Vjeran Pirsic from the island of Krk — which wants to become Croatia's first energy-autonomous island — even uses the word "sabotage" to describe the situation. He says that the development of renewable energy sources in the country of four million has long been stymied by powerful coal, gas and nuclear lobbies.   Improvements and setbacks For individual solar producers in Croatia, the situation has improved dramatically since 2018. The number of required documents, for instance, has dropped from 66 to only three, says Pirsic. What's more, there are EU-financed incentives, and since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, Croatia's government has abolished taxes on all solar installations. All of this will help Krk in its bid to become Croatia's first energy-autonomous island, albeit without the aid of genuine energy communities — democratic associations that are co-invested in renewable sources and may also participate in distribution, energy storage and sharing, energy efficiency services or other energy services.   Democratic energy associations Indeed, energy communities remain an unsolved problem in Croatia. The Croatian law that wrote the citizen energy community model into national legislation includes restrictions that are not part of the EU directive. For example, Croatian authorities limit the power of community power plants to 500 kilowatts, which is less than about 1,000 panels. Moreover, the communities must be non-profit and employ an expert — a tough requirement for grassroots projects. In fact, citizen energy communities have to fulfill much the same requirements as large wind-farm projects worth hundreds of millions of euros, says Cacic.   Croatia: as green as it claims to be? The 2019 EU directive on energy communities spells "decarbonization, digitalization, decentralization, and democratization — and that's a distinct threat to the powers that be," says Pirsic, adding that this includes large wind power developers. "They don't want to lose their grip on the energy sector." On paper, Croatia is one of the greenest countries in the EU: Renewable energy accounted for around 60% of the country's energy mix in 2023. But this record volume is thanks to socialist-era hydroelectric plants on Croatia's rivers — and an unusually rainy 2023. In fact, sunny Croatia, which has 1,750 kilometers of coastline, still imports around a quarter of its electricity, including from the lignite-fired thermal-power plants in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.   Falling short on goals The country will most probably fail to reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 35% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. A recent European Commission assessment of the country's draft climate and energy plan found Croatia falling short on energy efficiency and renewables. Despite its enormous solar potential, Croatia is among only seven EU countries with solar power capacities below one gigawatt, according to the solar lobby SolarPower Europe. The development of renewables in Croatia has concentrated mainly on wind power, which covers around 13% of the country's electricity needs. But even wind-energy buildout in the last eight years has slowed, blocked by inadequate legislation and an understaffed administration.   The first citizen energy community There is, however, some progress on the energy-community front. The volunteer firefighters association in Spickovina, a village in northwestern Croatia, is planning to build a solar power plant that will function as a bona fide clean energy community according to EU standards. Experts say that pilot projects like Spickovina will break the ice and encourage others to follow. "The energy system is going to transform, move away from the traditional large players who manage large areas and large energy projects," says Slavica Robic from REGEA, a regional energy agency in northwestern Croatia, which is assisting the Spickovina firefighters. The agency regularly receives calls from interested parties who have heard about Spickovina and want to set up their own energy generation system. Vested interests But this is exactly what the major players in the energy sector don't want, claims Pirsic, who founded a prosumer NGO on the island of Krk in 2012. The state-owned utility HEP, which once had a monopoly on power generation in Croatia, fails to understand how small producers can help balance the grid and reduce power-system shortages at peak hours, says Pirsic.   More private solar power plants, no energy communities "Energy communities are not in the interest of electricity suppliers," says Sanela Mikulcis Santic, the manager of the energy NGO Klik from the small town of Krizevci in northern Croatia. Klik has helped over 100 citizens install rooftop solar power plants in recent years and has plans to double the installed capacity in 2024. So far, Pirsic's NGO has helped citizens, businesses and municipalities construct more than 200 small solar power plants. NGOs like these are leading the way to a more democratic energy future, but, for now, do not plan to register as citizen energy communities because the legislation is hampering their progress. What is changing is that more and more Croatians want to generate their own energy — and know they have the EU firmly on their side.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was indicted on Monday in an official secrets acts case, placing another obstacle in his path toward competing in next January's general election. A Pakistani court indicted Khan alongside his party's deputy leader, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said the case would begin on Friday, adding that it would challenge the indictment. "He has been indicted today and the charge was openly read out," Shah Khawar of Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said outside Adiala Jail, where Khan is being held. If found guilty, the charge could land Khan with up to 14 years in prison, or even a death sentence. What is the case about? Khan's indictment relates to a classified cable that Pakistan's ambassador in Washington sent to Islamabad early last year. Khan is accused of making the cable public. Khan denies the accusation. He says the cable's contents appeared in the media from other sources. The former prime minister had argued that the cable was proof that the US was conspiring with the Pakistani military to oust him in the 2022 no-confidence vote, over his growing ties with Russia. Both the US and the Pakistani military deny that. Khan's legal woes Khan has been embroiled in a series of legal accusations since the 2022 no-confidence vote forced him out of office. The former cricket star led protests against the government, calling for early elections. He also protested against the military, accusing it of trying to sideline him. Pakistan's military, which has previously ruled the country directly and now wields enormous power over civilian governments, denied the accusation. Khan was sentenced in the summer to three years in prison over graft charges. The sentence was suspended, but he remained in jail due to other accusations, including the official secrets act case. Khan is disqualified from the upcoming general election due to his graft conviction. His legal team, however, is trying to get him released on bail ahead of the January vote. His biggest political rival, three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, returned to Pakistan over the weekend after four years in self-exile. He launched his party's election campaign on Saturday, promising to address inflation.

Bengaluru-based, Sikkim-origin hard rock/heavy metal band Girish And The Chronicles has struck gold this time. The band has been keeping their audience and hardcore fans on their feet all these years of tremendous performances. This time they shared the stage with the internationally famed Guns and Roses. It was indeed a matter of pride that a Sikkim-based band shared that same stage as Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy on Thursday in Abu Dhabi. The Sikkim-based group played before their musical heroes at the sold-out show. Girish And The Chronicles, who recently released their latest album ‘Back on Earth’ in January this year, will perform at several places in Abu Dhabi, followed by a European tour including festivals and club gigs in June and July. Earlier, bandleader Girish Pradhan and bassist Yogesh Pradhan performed at a tribute to Guns N’ Roses on May 20 in Bengaluru, joining the Kishan Baalaji Collective. The band took to social media to talk about what might arguably become the biggest gig of their lives. “Take a deep breath! Now here’s an example of the phrase, ‘Dreams do come true’. We are opening for Guns and F****** Roses @gunsnroses on the 1st of June, 2023, in the heart of the UAE! Unbelievable right? We can’t wait to share the stage with our all time favourite Rock ‘n Roll heroes! Totally stoked and really don’t have the words to express what we are feeling right now, but one thing’s for sure, we are so proud to represent Sikkim and India today. And Ofcourse, we will also be going in as cool Bangalore boys,” the statement said. While Guns N’ Roses will follow up with performances in Israel and Europe, Girish And The Chronicles – comprising Girish, Yogesh, guitarist Suraz Sun and drummer Nagen Mongranti – too will head to Europe in June and July. Among the confirmed performances include Summerside Festival in Sweden on June 24, plus shows in Lille, France in June 29, Ghent, Belgium in June 30 and four shows across Spain in July. As a vocalist, Pradhan remains one of the most sought-after in hard rock and heavy metal circles at the moment. Part of metal band Firstborne with drummer-composer Chris Adler (formerly of Lamb of God and Megadeth), the vocalist also leads vocals for Whitesnake guitarist-composer Joel Hoekstra’s solo project, called Joel Hoekstra’s 13. Late last year, Pradhan also announced he was part of rock supergroup The End Machine, comprising guitarist George Lynch (formerly of rock band Dokken), bassist Jeff Pilson (currently part of Foreigner) and others. Source: nenow.in

Abdullah Zubayer, the notable public figure has been getting a lot of momentum on social media. Abdullah, a multi-talented young sensation is Digital Creator, Social Media Influencer, Blogger and Writer. In a staggeringly short amount of time, he is setting a benchmark on the world stage by making the sort of substance that thrives when it is living and breathing via social media and web-based media. His story is proof of the term -following your passion is the best thing you could do. Having a robust fanbase of 250k he has been recognized among the topmost Influential Content Creators. Abdullah's unique personality and crystal clear deposition that makes him a motivational force on the social media platform. He possesses talent for blogging as well. His methods and tools to access the writing strategies on a digital platform are prototypical. He has the ability to adapt with changes. As a blogger, he has gained popularity by writing well on social media platform. People know him as a blogger as well as influencer on behind of the content creator. Today, Abdullah Zubayer is a rapid rising content creator in the comedy genre but the road to over a 2.5 lakh subscriber base on YouTube has surely not been an easy one. Since he was a kid, Abdullah was fond of telling stories and entertaining people. All throughout school and college, he was an all-round achiever in both academics as well as the extracurricular. YouTuber, Digital Creator Abdullah Zubayer has become celebrity face by making awareness video. He involved in the acting in mid 2016 and has already acted for more than 50 documentaries. Subscribers of his YouTube channel have crossed more than two lakh mark recently. As a result, the talented digital creator has got YouTube's recognition by achieving the 'Silver Play Button'. Abdullah Zubayer started his journey with YouTube in 2016. "I make social awareness video most of the time as well as make comedy occasionally. I always try to give some messages through my videos," said Abdullah Zubayer. Abdullah Zubayer is COO of “filmymantra”. Recently he has written three books namely - 'How To Ensure Safe Internet', 'The Revenge Of Fire' and 'The Last Envelope Of Love' which have been published on international platform like Amazon and Google Book. In addition to those, he currently started his career as a musical artist. Abdullah Zubayer now verified artist on international platforms. He has been verified as an official music artist from the international music platform Spotify and received the official artist channel Verify on YouTube in this year. In fact, he is one of the emerging stars in the music industry. This multi-faceted digital creator, blogger and influencer is clearly on his way to conquer the world with his content generation acumen and acute sense of what the audience needs. He believes he has a lot more to show to the world. He majorly wants to serve something original and also creative and create content that can leave his audience in want of more. AH

BNP standing committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, power prices are increased due to corruption. There is no need of increasing prices of electricity if anarchy and commission sharing are stopped. He said this after paying homage to the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at the Chandrima Udyan at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Thursday. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, we have news that amendment was brought in the energy regulatory commission act yesterday. There it was said that the government can increase the prices of gas and electricity for more than one time if needed. Though, it was for one time in the previous. The meaning of amending the law is that the government will increase gas and electricity prices more than one time in a year. He said, power price was two and half taka on an average during our government and that could be the same at present. But the government has increased power price by exploiting people and is taking away money. It is being done for profit of the Awami syndicate. He alleged that thousands of crore taka is being paid for quick rental power centers. Last year 15 thousand crore taka was spent for rent though quick rentals were not in operation. In this year 20 thousand crore taka will be paid. The BNP leader criticized the government’s initiatives to hike power prices. AH        

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen termed his India visit as successful and effective as Delhi gave strong assurance of cooperation in resolving the water sharing issues as well as supporting safe repatriation of Rohingyas. “My India trip is fairly successful. I am very much hopeful about India’s cooperation in resolving water sharing issues. We are looking for solution to sharing of all the 54 common rivers, not only Teesta,” he said. He was briefing newsmen at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his arrival from India after his maiden three-day foreign trip there as the Bangladesh foreign minister on Saturday. Reports BSS. Momen said Bangladesh and India both have advanced to a great extent to resolve the dispute regarding the water sharing. “We have discussed over water sharing including Teesta issue. They gave me assurance and I am hopeful on that (assurance). Nothing to be worried, it will be solved by time,” he said. The foreign minister said Bangladesh-India talk was held in a warm atmosphere. All credits goes to the Prime Minister as she had built warm and confident bilateral relations between the two friendly neighbors in past one decade, he observed. About the Rohingya issue, the foreign minister said the Indian government assured all kind of support to Bangladesh in resolving the crisis. “They (India) assured me, if the Indian government deports any Rohingya from their land, they will send them to their country of origin not to Bangladesh,” Momen said. Momen told the Indian side that if the stay of Rohingya lingers in Bangladesh then different kind of problems, including radicalization, might be developed that brings harm for all the countries of the region. Replying a question on how Indian will assist Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya issue, the foreign minister said, “I want help from India (to resolve Rohingya crisis). Now it’s their decision how they will help us in resolving the crisis”. Earlier, On Friday in New Delhi, Dr Momen told BSS that Bangladesh wanted a “safe haven” for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Rakhine state by ensuring their safe, secured and dignified repatriation under the monitoring of India, China and other ASEAN nations. Momen said that he requested his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during their meeting Friday to take up the proposal with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi about which the latter replied “let me see.” “When I shared my idea with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about ensuring a safe haven of Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, he described the idea as an ‘innovative’ one,” he said. About the Indian 4.5 billion dollars Line of Credit (LOC) to Bangladesh, the foreign minister said that he had requested the Indian authority to expedite the process. The Bangladesh foreign minister held meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, former president Pranab Mukherjee and former prime minister Manmohan Singh. During the meeting with Modi, the Indian Prime Minister mentioned that the partnership between Bangladesh and India is flourishing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Indian premier reaffirmed India’s sincere commitment to Bangladesh’s prosperity and development and viewed that Bangladesh-India relations are a model between the two neighboring countries which need to be showcased for wider audience around the world. The foreign minister also attended the 5th meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC), co-chaired by his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation, including the implementation of decisions taken during the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as at the last meeting of JCC in October 2017, in Dhaka. Later, four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries to further strengthen the existing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. The MoUs are on mid-career training of 1,800 Bangladesh civil servants, cooperation between AYUSH and the Ministry of Health of Bangladesh in the field of medicinal plants, cooperation between Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and cooperation between Hiranandani Group and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority to facilitate investments in the Indian Economic Zone in Mongla. AH

Jatiya Oikyafront spokesman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, election manifesto of Jatiya Oikyafront will be declared on December 17. Besides, the rally of December 10 in Suhrawardy Udyan has been suspended. He said these to the newsmen after holding the Oikyafront steering committee meeting at Dr. Kamal Hossain’s chamber at Motijheel in the capital on Thursday evening. Mirza Fakhrul said, the rally of December 10 will not be organized. But the rally will be held later before the election. Date will be fixed later. About seat sharing and candidature finalization he said, discussions are going on in this regard. Information will be delivered later. Oikyafront top leader and Gono Forum president Dr. Kamal Hossain, JSD president ASM Abdur Rab, Krishak Shramik Janata League president Bangabir Kader Siddique, Ganashasthaya Kendra founder Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, former VP of DUCSU Sultan Mohammad Mansur, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and others were present in the meeting. AH 

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that the candidates of alliance-grand alliance will be declared within two days. He said this after holding meeting with a number of alliance component political parties at Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday. Obaidul Quader said, we held discussions over seat sharing today. Constituencies will be finalized by the night. Later, the declaration will be given within tomorrow or the day after tomorrow after finalizing the candidates. About the meeting Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said, discussion was good. We hope that we will get more seats. Earlier in the morning Obaidul Quader held meeting with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president and Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu and party General Secretary Shirin Akter. Later he took part in the meeting with Workers Party president and Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon and Fazle Hossain Badsha. Mashiur Rahman Ranga, Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Kazi Firoz Rashid were present during the meeting of Jatiya Party with Obaidul Quader. AH  

The 20-part alliance led by BNP is in face to face position regarding seat sharing in the forthcoming national parliament election. According to the source, the alliance member parties will demand more or less 100 seats to BNP. Meanwhile BNP and alliance leaders are in face to face position in more than 50 constituencies. But the alliance Coordinator said, BNP will try to sacrifice utmost for the sake of democracy. 19 parties are in the alliance in the field of votes as well as for movement. After being failed to meet their demand of none partisan government they boycotted the election in 2014. They were the companions of BNP in the bad or good period under the Mohajote government. In the alliance total nine parties are registered under the Election Commission. In the list there are- BNP, LDP, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam, Khelafat Majlish and Muslim League. The registration of Jamaat e Islami was cancelled by the commission following High Court verdict. Among the unregistered parties there are- Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Islami Oikyajote (patial) and others. These 19 parties want to give candidates in 100 seats. Of these 70 to 80 seats are targets of Jamaat e Islami candidates. But LDP Chief Colonel Oli Ahmad (retd) informed about seeking the seats where candidates have chance to win by not pressurizing BNP. He said, discussion was held in this regard in the alliance meeting. But at the moment release of our alliance leader Begum Khaleda Zia is the main matter to us. But Kalyan Party Chairman Major General Syed Muhammad Ibrahim thinks that as the election is very near then it may help for campaigning if the seat sharing is finalized. He said, election is very near and for that reason crisis may arise at the last moment if preparations are not taken. BNP standing committee member and 20-party alliance Coordinator Nazrul Islam Khan said that after taking primary preparations they would not finalize the seat sharing at the moment. Their prime target is release of Begum Khaleda Zia. He said, BNP will sacrifice utmost for the sake of democracy. We want to participate in the election on the basis of compromise maintaining the unity, whatever the situation would turn. AH

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said seat sharing with alliance over the next parliamentary election will be finalized through discussion. ‘Who will get how many seats in the next general election will be finalized through discussion. As a part of the alliance, none can demand seats as per their wish,’ he told journalists referring to Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad's demand of 70 seats for contesting in the next general election. Reports BSS.  The AL general secretary was talking to the reporters after monitoring activities of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) mobile court at Manik Mia Avenue in the city. The winnable candidates of Jatiya Party must get nomination, Quader said, adding ‘Discussion will start soon. The winnable candidates of any party, including Awami League, will be given nomination in the next election’.  When asked about forming alliance with JP in the next parliamentary election, he said, ‘I cannot say anything about whether the alliance will be formed or not.’ ‘BNP's threat of waging movement will bring no results for them as people of the county are now election oriented,’ Quader said referring to BNP's threat to wage movement.  He also said their (BNP) colorful dream of anti-government movement centering the quota reform protests evaporated completely.  AH