– Advertisement – “I don’t think they need to know everything,” Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said of Mr. Biden’s advisers. “I think they do need to know some things, and national security would be one of them.”Democratic congressional leaders warned that Mr. Trump’s stonewalling is already doing damage to the country’s ability to deal with foreign leaders — Mr. Biden made his first contacts on unsecured telephone lines — and plans for how to handle the most high-risk period in the spread of the coronavirus and bolster the economic recovery. They added that Mr. Biden’s decades of experience in Washington will likely soften those consequences. Deprived of access to secure government communications by the Trump administration, Mr. Biden’s team of more than 500 former officials and outside experts has embraced workarounds, talking over encrypted apps like Signal to shield their conversations from the Chinese, meeting in outdoor coffee shops with government officials they once worked alongside. The conversations are circumspect, both because of rules on both sides limiting how much information Mr. Biden’s team can seek and how much executive branch officials are allowed to say, participants said.It may be weeks until Mr. Biden’s so-called agency review teams, made up of longtime government officials with deep roots in the bureaucracy, are let into the government departments that a Biden administration will run starting at noon on Jan. 20. Some issues can wait until a formal “ascertainment” is declared, giving them access to the offices and classified material.But some cannot. Mr. Biden’s team is concerned that it is being shut out of planning for distribution of a coronavirus vaccine, a massive undertaking that the incoming administration expects to inherit the moment he is sworn in. Mr. Biden’s advisers say that they understand very little about the workings of Warp Speed, the project that has vaccine distribution planning well underway. The Biden team has not had access to the details.- Advertisement – “It is most unfortunate that the Republicans have decided that they will not respect the will of the people, and let me just say: It’s like the house is burning down and they just refused to throw water on it,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said.- Advertisement – President Trump’s refusal to allow President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his transition staff access to government offices, secure communications and classified briefings prompted growing warnings on Thursday, including from Republicans, that keeping Mr. Biden in the dark potentially endangers the country.On Capitol Hill, several Senate Republicans insisted that Mr. Biden should at least be given access to the President’s Daily Brief, the compendium of the nation’s most closely guarded intelligence secrets and assessments of threats like terrorist plots and cyberattack vulnerabilities. Their call amounted to an acknowledgment that Mr. Biden will be declared the victor in the election.- Advertisement – For now, one senior adviser to the president-elect said, the coronavirus-related teams are focusing on logistical challenges and policy questions, like how to prioritize who gets a vaccine, and how to make distribution equitable along racial and socioeconomic lines — a priority of Mr. Biden’s, but one rarely discussed by Mr. Trump. Access to the Trump distribution plan will become increasingly important “from an operational perspective,” so the Biden team can take over without any hiccups, said the senior adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal transition details.The Biden team also hopes to implement a national testing strategy but will have to start from scratch, because the Trump administration does not have one. Biden advisers are seeking guidance from groups including the Rockefeller Foundation, which has drafted a national Covid-19 testing plan and is partnering with states and cities to expand testing efforts.Mr. Biden’s aides say they have been warned not to get into detailed conversations with government officials, even career officials, until they receive the formal approval that transition has begun. But there is no prohibition on talking with officials who worked for the Trump administration and left — and there are many of them. And many informal conversations between former political officials and those career government officials who stayed on have been going on for four years — and never really stopped.In many ways, what is happening now, officials said, is a reverse of four years ago — when President Barack Obama’s team was ready with detailed briefings and simulations of potential crises (including a pandemic flu), and Mr. Trump’s advisers were unwilling to receive them. read more

Feb 19, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – In the wake of a national Salmonella outbreak, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revised its warning about potentially tainted peanut butter to include all Peter Pan peanut butter products bought since May 2006.The FDA’s initial advisory on Feb 14 said only Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter with product codes beginning with “2111” and bought since last May carried a risk of contamination with Salmonella enterica serovar Tennessee. But on Feb 16 the FDA issued a new statement saying the advisory covered all Peter Pan peanut butter bought since May.All Peter Pan products are produced at a single ConAgra facility in Sylvester, Ga., and have codes that include 2111, the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) explained in a Feb 16 question-and-answer bulletin.Jars of Great Value peanut butter beginning with the 2111 product code and purchased since May 2006 are still included in the advisory because they were produced at the same plant as the Peter Pan products. However, the FDA said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not linked them to any Salmonella cases.The FDA has tied the tainted peanut butter to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 290 people in 39 states since August. Among the hardest hit states are New York (32), Pennsylvania (23), and several southeastern states, according to the CDC. S enterica typically causes fever and nonbloody diarrhea that resolves in a week.Forty-six people have been hospitalized in the outbreak, but none have died, the FDA said. Illness onset dates, known for 171 patients, range from Aug. 1, 2006, to Jan. 30, 2006, according to the CDC.Two closely related DNA fingerprints of S Tennessee have been associated with the outbreak, the CDC has said. The DNA patterns were identified through PulseNet, a national network of public health laboratories.The current outbreak is the second known instance of Salmonella contamination in peanut butter. In 1996, 15 people were sickened after eating peanut butter that was contaminated with S enterica serovar Mbandaka, according to a 1998 report published in the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. Investigators traced the contamination to roasted peanuts.See also:Feb 16 FDA press releasehttp://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01565.htmlFeb 16 FDA CFSAN question-and-answer bulletinhttp://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm085600.htmFeb 15 CDC updatehttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salmonellosis_2007/outbreak_notice.htmCIDRAP overview of salmonellosishttp://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/fs/food-disease/causes/salmoview.html read more

By raising the festival flag Libertas with verses Hymns of freedom on Monday, July 10 at 21:00 pm in front of the Church of St. Vlaho, the 68th Dubrovnik Summer Festival will be officially opened, which will traditionally be held until August 25 this year as well.In 47 days, at more than 15 ambient locations, approximately 2.000 artists from all over the world will perform about 60.000 drama, music, opera, ballet, folklore and other programs in front of an international audience of 80 domestic and foreign visitors. “The financial plan envisages a total budget of HRK 12,250,000, of which public funds are around HRK 8,5, and own revenue and ticket revenue amount to HRK 2 million, while sponsors and donors supported us with HRK 1,6 million. They contributed to the increase of the financial plan compared to last year, so I take this opportunity to thank the new sponsors Mastercard® and Tele2, but also HEP, Kraš, Adriatic luxury hotels and many other loyal sponsors support our artistic efforts and recognize our creative strength and potential. I will also point out the amount of additional 200.000 kuna for investments provided by the City of Dubrovnik, which is an incentive to strengthen this segment of the institution’s business in the next 4 years of my term, which is necessary if we want to be a strong partner to the city. ” pointed out the director of the Games Ivana Medo Bogdanović, referring to the stable financial structure of the 68th Games.67th DUBROVNIK SUMMER GAMES IN NUMBERSWhat is the significance, size and importance of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is sometimes best shown in numbers, so let’s start in order… Dubrovnik Summer Festival last year brought together almost 2.000 artists from around the world who in 47 days from July 10 to August 25 at 17 stage and ambient locations of the city of Dubrovnik and its surroundings, in front of 60.000 domestic and foreign visitors performed 93 drama, music, dance, folklore, film and art programs.93 programs were successfully performed at 17 ambient locations, as well as 21 concerts featuring orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists demonstrating skill in many styles and performing a variety of musical genres. A new program called Towards the Future was realized, which presented young virtuosos, winners of prestigious international music awards.Approximately 67 visitors saw the programs of the 60.000th Dubrovnik Summer Festival, and from July 1 to August 24, the official website of the Games www.dubrovnik-festival.hr recorded almost 40.000 unique visitors from countries from all continents according to the recognized methodology of “Google Analytics”. world, most of them from Croatia, the UK, USA, Italy, Serbia, Germany and Austria.In addition to a rich drama, film, dance, music, folklore and accompanying program, 9 press conferences were held and 118 press releases were sent. 223 media representatives were accredited to cover the Games, of which 122 were local journalists, 40 local photographers and cameramen, and 20 journalists and cameramen from foreign newsrooms.The Games were covered by numerous media and more than 500 articles about the Games were published in domestic and foreign newspapers, and over 1000 on news portals. The festival gained significant media space on national television stations and local television, and great interest from domestic and foreign media resulted is with almost 2000 media releases.67. Games recorded a 6% increase in online ticket sales compared to last year, as well as an increase in agency sales. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival was founded in 1950, when numerous theater and music events took place throughout Europe, and rightly bears the title of the leading cultural institution in Croatia and as one of the five most prominent European cultural festivals.Take a look at the rich program of events of the 68th Dubrovnik Summer Festival on the official ones web site read more

The aim of the conference is to identify potentials, opportunities, positive practices and solutions / recipes for the development of year-round tourism in Croatia, then learn about successful experiences and practices of neighboring countries, develop a proposal for a Croatian concept of continental tourism and present solutions to ensure quality and innovation worldwide.The conference is intended for directors and CEOs of large tourism companies, entrepreneurs and craftsmen involved in the tourism process and income, representatives of tourism and economic institutions, representatives of tourist boards, professional and other associations, and all persons and entities that are or could be , involved in Croatian tourism. The conference is one-day, dynamic, organized in the form of short lectures by experts and examples of good practice and panels that will discuss and create potential solutions to these topics.On the page www.turizam365.com You can find all the information about the conference, as well as applications, and there is a possibility of active participation in the conference, especially interesting is the invitation to include their proposals and ideas and information about planned and implemented projects to improve year-round tourism in Croatia, and the most interesting will be presented at the conference itself. Politicians, tourism workers and everyone involved in tourism have been saying for years that the tourist season needs to be extended. Experiences and tourism results of neighboring countries show that tourism 365 days a year is something we should strive for and how it is possible. But is this really possible in Croatia as well, or are these dreams we want to believe in?Croatian tourism achieves top results, but only in the summer months, while the rest of the year most tourist facilities are almost unused. The largest part of tourist traffic is realized on the coast, while in the whole of continental Croatia only 4,5% of overnight stays are realized. Numerous potentials stand untapped, facilities unarranged, resorts undeveloped, and only a few tourist oases show that the continent can do well, all 365 days a year. Neighboring countries, such as Austria and Hungary, achieve successful tourism results throughout the year, and some others that until recently we did not consider seriously competitive in tourism, such as Slovenia, show how the hidden potentials of each destination can be developed and many challenges.Why doesn’t tourism work in Croatia during all 12 months? Why don’t we develop the offer all year round? Why do we accept such a situation and what can we do to change it? Who can be the initiator of changes and how to achieve them? How to achieve a successful and attractive year-round season and are we ready for that?Conference CAN CROATIAN TOURISM 365? will offer answers to these questions.The first tourism conference dealing with year-round tourism in Croatia brings eminent tourism experts from the wider region and representatives of the most important tourism institutions in Croatia to define the path to launching Croatian tourism that lasts 365 days a year and ways and recipes to achieve this. It will be held on October 4 in Zagreb at the Sheraton Hotel under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.The conference will address the following topics through expert lectures and panels:Trends in (year-round) tourismLet’s identify potentials and misconceptions in the development of year-round tourismHealth tourism as a driver of destination developmentRural tourism and authenticityAre we ready for the development of tourism on the continentMotives for coming to the destination and the development of a year-round destinationLet’s discover how to be different and how to extend the seasonFormula for the development of year-round tourism / destinations in Croatia – what is needed from the state, local government, local community, potential investors, entrepreneurs and craftsmen, local population.Experts from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Hungary will share their successful experiences, as well as their suggestions and guidelines for the further development of Croatian tourism. read more

In the first half of September, half a million overnight stays were realized in Karlovac County, and thus it bears the title of the leading continental county.This is the first time since the existence of the Croatian state that an exclusively continental county, through the partnership of all stakeholders, public and private sector and the system of tourist boards, has achieved results that we will mark with gifts in Rakovica, tomorrow, Saturday, September 16, 2017 .Mr. in the restaurant of the TURIST camp in Grabovac starting at 9:30 am.Karlovačka županija, simbol  je turističke destinacije koja kontinuirano doprinosi podizanju ugleda i konkurentnosti turističke ponude regije, a u turistički proizvod ugrađeno je sve ono što je atraktivno, jedinstveno i prepoznatljivo, ističe Dina Begić, direktorica TZ Karlovca. “Dugogodišnjim pozitivnim razvojnim trendom, pozicionirala se kao vodeća kontinentalna  županija, a treba istaknuti da se već tradicionalno preko 60 % ukupnih noćenja u županiji ostvaruje se na području općine Rakovica, a ovaj puta to je jubilarno 500.000- ito noćenje.” ističe Begić.UNIQUE TOURIST GUIDE THROUGH KARLOVAC COUNTY PRESENTEDA month ago, a tourist guide was presented in Karlovac, which in one place combines the complete tourist offer of the greenest tourist destination in Croatia – Karlovac County. “For the first time, we have combined the complete offer of the region on a total of 120 pages. ”, pointed out Begić.The tourist guide brings together the unavoidable tourist attractions of the county in one place. It is available in printed and digital form, and the basic guiding thread of the author was to bring the county and all its benefits closer to every tourist through the story. So in the guide you will find general information, tips on what to visit, and especially prominent itineraries through which you can explore the destination, take historical routes, experience a special gastronomic experience, ride a bike, go Nordic walking, hike or head to the rivers. For those who want a different holiday, there is information on hunting, photo hunting, fishing, rafting and canoeing, and tips for a quality family vacation are presented. The guide also brings the most interesting myths and legends, a list of events and accommodation tips. read more

The Austrian company HETA, together with the companies HETA Beteiligungen GmbH and, a member of MK Group, has signed an agreement on the sale of a 100% stake in all companies of the Skipper Group. Thus, the luxury hotel complex “Skiper Resort” in Istria since yesterday is part of Istrian Hotels doo, a member of the holding company MK Group, a leader in the field of tourism, agriculture and banking.Kompanija ISTRIAN HOTELS d.o.o. je članica MK grupe, koja posjeduje Grand Hotel & Spa **** i Angella Hotel & Residence – Konaci Sunčevi vrhovi **** na Kopaoniku, 88 Rooms Hotel u Beogradu i Hotel Kempinski palas u Portorožu, dostavila je najbolju ponudu na međunarodnom natječaju za kupovinu ovog luksuznog kompleksa na Jadranu. Pored toga, MK grupa je manjinski vlasnik grupe Budvanska Rivijera Hotel u Crnoj Gori i ima 30% akcija u Aerodormu u Portorožu.With this move, MK Group continues its investments in the entire region and its infrastructure with the aim of further popularizing it in the interest of Istrian tourism and all investors in the region. “As one of the leading hotel companies in the region, Istrian hotels, located within the MK Group, understands the importance of regional connectivity. We are a serious investor who has 7 4 and 5 star hotels in its portfolio, and by purchasing this prestigious hotel on the Croatian coast we will certainly raise the level of hotel and catering services even more. With the purchase of the prestigious Skiper Resort in Istria, where the Kempinski Adriatic 5-star hotel belongs, as well as the recent cooperation with the Sheraton hotel brand, we will further strengthen our market position and believe that this is a significant step towards creating a strong regional hotel company. which will connect businesses in the most attractive locations and complement each other with already existing links in the system“, izjavio je Nikola Avram, direktor grupacije hotela koje posluju u okviru MK sustava.After a successful cooperation with the Kempinski hotel chain, MK Group has established cooperation with the Sheraton hotel chain, a member of the Starwood Group, and plans to open the first Sheraton hotel in Serbia in January 2018. The current total accommodation capacity is 2500 seats, with a tendency to further increase in the coming period.By the way, Skiper Group companies are located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Croatian coast, by the sea, with a beautiful view of the Slovenian and Italian coasts. They own and manage accommodation and tourist facilities in Savurdija in Istria, including, among other things, a luxury hotel, unfurnished luxury villas and apartments and furnished apartments of middle and upper class. Within the Skiper Resort there is also the Kempinski residence, which offers 22 luxury villas. Each has its own pool and a spacious yard with plenty of vegetation which provides special privacy. In addition to accommodation, the complex has a private beach, a luxury spa and an 18-hole golf course and other sports and recreational facilities. read more

From 9 to 12 November, the owner of the renowned tourist agency ID RIVA Selimir Ognjenović stayed in the Požega area with almost a hundred Croatian shipowners who visited Požega to get acquainted with the tourist potentials of this area. Namely, it all started a little over a year ago when Selimir Ognjenović received the award of the Croatian Tourist Board for his life’s work and dedicated it to the development of tourism in Slavonia and Baranja, that is, the continent.”This is exactly what Požega wants and we will try to continue to attract, help and cooperate with all people of good will who can recognize the strength of the tourist potential of Slavonia, and we think that Požega is in the heart of Slavonia, a destination where everything should start to finish. We will make efforts to make Požega not just an accidental passage or station for one night and one day, but a destination that is desirable for the development of a quality tourist story. We will do our best to create the conditions for as many tourist cakes to end up here in Požega and its surroundings, and for not only the Croatian Tourist Board, but all key stakeholders to see that there is space, excellent programs and destinations from cycling, sports to cultural and ethno content worthy of any attention”Said Mayor Puljašić.ID RIVA Tours has many years of experience in organizing trips to Croatia in German-speaking countries, and recently there has been cooperation with tourism workers in Slavonia and Baranja. Last year, the shipowners to whose fleet ID Riva brings German guests were in Bizovac, and this year in April the Istrians visited Baranja where they exchanged experiences with the hosts. In the meantime, the initiative of organizing the Day of Croatian Tourism in Slavonia was launched, while three weeks ago Zlatni lug and the Tourist Board of the City of Požega were guests on one of the ships in Mali Lošinj and represented Slavonia for three days locals, guests, tourism workers, directors of various companies, tourist boards and the media.Promotion of Slavonia at the Days of Croatian Tourism in Mali LošinjID Riva Torus is one of the three largest tour operators that bring guests from the German-speaking area to Croatia, and as part of their business they publish catalogs specializing in private accommodation, with Slavonia and Baranja appearing for the first time in the new edition. ”The waterfront has found its place in the large tourist market through the boat program, we have 28 boats of private owners whose representatives are today here in Požega. Tourism is possible, once it is systematically approached. Slavonia, like the destination in the Coast, will not be able to live only from tourism, but tourism can bring important economic trends to this area. At the moment, Croatia has a brilliant tourist brand and there is a logic of business that now that brand is expanding in its interest by activating the continent. We put this area in our catalog, I don’t expect a sensation, but we got started. This brochure was distributed to travel agencies, 5700 agencies, and the last rotation of our main catalog goes to 430 thousand examples and which is divided into 75 thousand German private addresses. I chose Požega with the shipowners we work with, they are now here and I believe that your ambassadors in the environments in which they move will become very strong, because with our movement, the movement of foreign guests will also start.”Ognjenovic emphasized.Related news:PROMOTION OF SLAVONIA AT THE DAYS OF CROATIAN TOURISM IN MALI LOŠINJ read more

In order to provide support in the decision-making process and strategic planning of public and private sector entities in the Croatian tourism industry, the CNTB published new information related to market trends and trends, analysis of achieved receptive results, as well as results of targeted market research programs related to various segments of tourism. business, ie promotional activities of the national tourism organization.After the Croatian National Tourist Board announced “Market Profiles ”for 2017 year which includes information from the market: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Russia, the USA and Canada, Scandinavia, Slovakia and Slovenia, Japan, China, South Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, now it is supplemented with new information from the market of the PRC.The number of Chinese tourists reached 135 million in 2017 and in 2021 it is estimated that 192 million Chinese will travelAccording to the CNTB, in relation to other published profiles of emitting markets (which provide basic information on markets, overview of the political and economic situation, tourist traffic, trends, etc.), the subject profile of China, taking into account many specifics, provides an overview of key characteristics of the emitting tourist market, but also general recommendations for business and implementation of marketing activities.Study the market profiles in order to get to know tourists from the mentioned countries as well as possible and to plan and advertise tourist packages for a certain target group of tourists in the best possible way.Side dish:1. Market profile – PRC – tourism market characteristics and marketing guidelines2. Market profiles 2017 read more

The aim of the congress is to follow new trends and innovations in the field of health tourism, through the presentation of best practices and new niche markets in spa, spa and wellness tourism. Participants will also be able to learn how to create offers for travelers from markets outside the EU, with a focus on Russia, Canada and the US. The congress is held under the slogan “Secrets of life balance – a life full of well being” as it will include professional topics and education on how to prevent health problems through nutrition, relaxation and enjoyment of hobbies. Representatives of this growing tourism niche, with revenues at the EU level of more than 47 billion euros, will gather from 8 to 10 May in Terme Tuhelj at the annual congress of the European SPA Association (ESPA), co-organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the CNTB partnership . The event will bring together representatives of 21 European countries, and during the congress will be awarded the “ESPA Innovation Awards” for the innovation of medical wellness and spa hotel providers, as very important references in health tourism. Spas and medical wellness services in many European countries account for up to 25 percent of tourism revenue. Also, they are the drivers of the economic development of the regions, they employ the local population and work all year round, and the guests of health and health tourism achieve above-average consumption and stay longer than average. A detailed program of the congress and information about the lecturers can be found HERE. read more

Photo: Pixabay.com For investments in starting non-agricultural activities in rural areas from the Rural Development Program of the Republic of Croatia, 565 financing agreements in the amount of HRK 210.052.125 have been concluded so far, the Ministry of Agriculture reports. Najveći broj ugovorenih projekata kroz operaciju 6.2.1. odnosi se na sektor turizma gdje 334 poljoprivrednika sa ukupno 124 milijuna kuna gradi ruralne kuće za odmor, kušaonice, kleti, izletišta i  turističko-rekreativne sadržaje.  Za  proizvodnju rakije, eteričnih ulja (najčešće od smilja), proizvodnju peleta za ogrjev i  proizvodnju namještaja potpisana su 72 ugovora u iznosu od 26,7 milijuna kuna, dok je za proizvodnju tradicijskih proizvoda (etno suveniri, proizvodi od voska, izvorne nošnje, rukotvorine, nakit, igračke,…) potpisana su tri ugovora u iznosu od 1,1 milijun kuna. The total amount of available public support funds in the first tender, which was announced last year, amounted to HRK 278.628.000, and a total of 755 beneficiaries applied for the tender. A new tender for support for investment in starting non-agricultural activities will be announced soon, the Ministry of Agriculture concludes.  Namely, within measure 6, which finances young and small farmers, operation 6.2.1. it is intended for those who want to expand their agricultural business to non-agricultural activities such as tourism, wine tasting, production of cakes, liqueurs, essential oils, etc.… and the amount of support is 50.000 euros per beneficiary. read more