Latest news with #Croatia
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Dr House gets it wrong: Croatian neurologists highlight 77 errors in popular TV series
ZAGREB, June 1 — He's the maverick medic who loved to confound the medical establishment with his brilliant, unorthodox diagnoses. But Dr Gregory House, the misanthropic genius who was the star of the long-running 'House' television series, got an awful lot wrong himself, Croatian doctors claim. From a neurologist at work on the wrong end of a patient by performing a colonoscopy, or an MRI scan done by a physician who is clearly not a radiologist, Croatian researchers have pulled the American series up on its medical accuracy in a paper published this month. Denis Cerimagic, a professor at Dubrovnik University, and two fellow neurologists—all big fans of the series—listed 77 errors after analysing all 177 episodes of the show, which ran from 2004 to 2012. 'We focused on the diagnoses of main cases, reality of clinical practice presentation and detection of medical errors,' Cerimagic told AFP. He and his peers—Goran Ivkic and Ervina Bilic—broke the mistakes down into five categories including misuses of medical terminology, misinformation and simple weirdness—something which the show's anti-hero, played by British star Hugh Laurie, possessed in abundance. That limp They included the use of mercury thermometers—which had long given way to digital ones—the term heart attack and cardiac arrest being used interchangeably when they are not the same, and that vitamin B12 deficiency can be corrected with just one injection. Nor is there a universal chemotherapy for all types of malignant tumours, as one episode suggested. But arguably the biggest error of all is that Laurie—whose character's genius for deduction comes from the misdiagnosis that left him with a limp and chronic pain—uses his cane on the wrong side. The stick should be carried on his unaffected side, Cerimagic said, though he understood why the actor had done it because 'it's more effective to see the pronounced limp on the screen'. Their research also found medical procedures being done by specialists who had no business being there, like an infectologist performing an autopsy. At times the series also stretched reality beyond breaking point, with the findings of complex laboratory tests done in just a few hours. And doctors rarely turn detective and take it upon themselves to enter patients' homes to look for environmental causes of illnesses. Not to mention Dr House's unethical behaviour—'Brain tumour, she's gonna die' the paper quoted him as saying—and the character's opiates addiction. The researchers say they may have missed other mistakes. 'We are neurologists while other medical specialists would certainly establish additional errors,' Cerimagic added. Medical errors Whatever their criticisms, the researchers say that modern medical series are far better produced than in the past, thanks to medical advisors. It is not like some 20 years ago when you had doctors looking at X-rays upside down, the neurologist said. 'Now only medical professionals can notice errors,' Cerimagic said. Despite its flaws, they thought the series could even be used to help train medical students. 'The focus could be on recognising medical errors in the context of individual episodes, adopting the teamwork concept and a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and treatment,' Cerimagic said. He said he and his colleagues were taken aback by the response to their paper 'House M.D.: Between reality and fiction'—which is not the first academic study to cast doubt on the good doctor and his methods. 'The idea was to make a scientific paper interesting not only to doctors but also to people without specific medical knowledge.' — AFP
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
A Daytripper's Guide: Where To Eat And Drink In OId Town Dubrovnik
Old Town, Dubrovnik. Ivan Vuković Dubrovnik's Old Town isn't just a living postcard of medieval limestone streets and terracotta rooftops with uninterrupted Adriatic views—it's a UNESCO World Heritage site with roots stretching back to the 7th century. Its iconic city walls, which have protected this marble paradise for over 500 years, have always been a magnet for travelers. But since Game of Thrones premiered in 2011—casting Dubrovnik as the fictional King's Landing—the city has experienced a dramatic surge in visitors. With all that beauty and history comes the crowds, especially during cruise ship season, when daytrippers pour through the city gates like extras from a Renaissance fair. Is it even possible to make the most of a day in Dubrovnik's Old Town and avoid rookie mistakes? I turned to my favorite local guide, Ivan Vuković, whose Game of Thrones tours (no dragons, but plenty of wit) and off-the-beaten-path excursions have earned him cult status among travelers seeking the real, unfiltered Dubrovnik. A view of Old Town, Dubrovnik. Ivan Vuković Whatever you do, respect the 'Walk of Shame' steps, which have been around centuries longer than the show. Their real name is the Jesuit Stairs, inspired by Rome's iconic Spanish Steps—a true 18th-century Baroque masterpiece. Leading up to the grand Church of St. Ignatius, they're one of the city's most dramatic architectural gems. Those iconic steps—immortalized by Cersei's infamous stroll—are newly polished for summer, and I was mortified to learn that people actually strip down for photos here. 'Do not get naked on that infamous walk of shame,' Vuković says. 'And please, do not scream 'shame'; we all have PTSD from it in Dubrovnik.' Crowds and heat can be daunting in peak summer. 'Use Buža and Ploče gates to dodge the cruise ship hordes who get dropped off at Pile gate,' Ivan advises. 'We built tiny gates as nobody had a clue that tourism was gonna be a big thing.' And don't skip a walk around the city walls—a 1.2-mile stretch circling the Old Town. 'Finish your daytripping with a walk around the walls,' says Vuković. 'Best time? Late afternoon. Get your camera ready!' Pro tip: If you want to see Dubrovnik through a local's eyes (and learn more about those infamous steps), book a Game of Thrones tour with Vuković. He offers a variety of tours if GOT isn't your speed. Now that you know how to be a savvy daytripper, here's where to eat and drink inside the city walls even if it's for a few hours only. Peka at Local. Local If you want to experience Dubrovnik like a local, book a reservation at Local—the new outpost of Marija and Zlatko Papak's wildly successful Eat With Locals experience, right in Old Town. It's the first-ever spot where travelers can get a slice of peka—a traditional Dalmatian dish where meat, potatoes, and veggies are slow-cooked under a bell-shaped dome covered in hot coals, resulting in tender, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. While peka is the star, you'll also find the most perfect charcuterie and cheese spread (all local, of course), Marija's homemade bread, fresh salad, and apple strudel. And yes, even inside the city walls, the Papaks pour local wine and homemade grappa like old friends welcoming you home and you'll always walk away with strangers-turned-new friends. Chilly prawns at Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant. Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant Nestled atop a 16th-century building, this spot remains the only rooftop restaurant in Old Town and the 360 views are incredible . It's a climb up five flights to a sleek, elegant rooftop where every bite feels like a mini celebration. The menu blends Mediterranean flavors with modern gastronomy. My personal highlights are chilly prawns served with marinated red cabbage, butternut squash purée, and pickled baby beetroot and the chef's version of surf n' turf—a zucchini roll filled with lobster salad, filet mignon, roasted cauliflower cream, and Bordelaise sauce. And whatever ice cream creation is, order without hesitation. Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant. Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant Bonus: The restaurant is part of a gorgeous 4-star luxury hotel, Hotel Stari Grad, spread across two historic Old Town buildings, complete with Icona spa (a true hidden oasis with standout services) and a cocktail bar where the bartender nails the perfect Americano. Trust me, you'll want to linger. Azur is praised for innovative fusion dishes like pulled pork tacos and seared tuna, balancing bold flavors with fresh Adriatic ingredients and Asian influences—and perfect if you're seeking something off the beaten path from traditional Croatian fare. 'It's owned by a great local chef, Darko Perojević,' says Vuković. It's situated next door to the iconic Bard Buža bar. Vuković notes that Bard Buža bar is still more local than the other Buža bar, where tourists jump off the cliffs. 'It can be spicy and you will get your hands dirty.' It's wise to order the salmon pillows and the CroAsian seafood Laksa. For the best gelato in town, Peppino's is a must. Creamy, artisanal gelato made daily with fresh ingredients, offering both classic and inventive flavors to cool you down after a day in the sun. Flavors range from traditional pistachio and stracciatella to creative combinations featuring local Croatian ingredients. Forty Four. Forty Four Owned by NBA player Bojan Bogdanović (jersey number 44, hence the name) and Damir Bogdanović, Forty Four is celebrated for its exquisite seafood offerings—be sure to order whatever crudo is featured on the menu and the lobster pasta if it's available. The restaurant masterfully combines elevated, modern seafood and pasta dishes and traditional Croatian dishes done right. The wine list is also noteworthy and I fell hard for the Crvik Blasius Malvasija Dubrovačka—an organe wine that pairs perfectly with literally any dish on the menu. Bonus: There's also a hotel attached, Guesthouse Forty Four, and the duo are behind Villa 44—a gorgeous villa in Old Town, in the center of Stradun. Black risotto at Konoba Pupo. Ivan Vuković This wonderland is a combination of family recipes, fisherman's old-style cooking, and local ingredients. Go for the Šporki Makaruli ('dirty macaroni')—a traditional Dubrovnik pasta with a hearty, meaty ragù sauce made with wine and plenty of onions. Konoba Pupo is a hidden gem for authentic Dalmatian flavors, particularly praised for its rich black risotto (made with cuttlefish ink) and hearty pasta dishes. Owner Viktor Kužnin is often around and can pick out the best bottle of Dingač wine (and might even sit down and join you for a glass or three!). Bonus: Just across the way, the team has opened a gorgeous pastry shop with a stellar menu of sweets and plenty of great wine. Don't miss a slice of the typical Ston cake—a pastry where layers of penne pasta are mixed with nuts and sweet cream, named for the nearby town famous for its medieval walls and salt. D'Vino Wine Bar. D'Vino Wine Bar D'Vino is a top spot for wine lovers wanting to explore Croatia's diverse varietals, paired with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. The knowledgeable staff guides guests through Croatia's unique wine regions, from full-bodied reds of the Pelješac Peninsula to crisp whites from Istria. 'The One With da Boss' tasting is the best, letting you sample rare and small-producer bottles from the owner's archive. The laid-back atmosphere is perfect for people-watching along the bustling Old Town streets, whether you need that essential morning espresso or want to unwind with a cold Croatian beer after exploring the medieval walls. The best part? It's across from D'Vino, so if your group is split between beer and wine, you can happily collide on the patio with your drink of choice. Holy Burek in Dubrovnik's Old Town. Holy Burek This beloved bakery serves up savory pastries that are crispy outside, rich and melty inside. During peak season, thousands of bureks—a flaky Balkan pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach—are made daily. Go for whatever's fresh out of the oven and wash it down with ayran, a refreshing yogurt-based drink. It's a traditional sidekick to balance the buttery goodness. 'It's perfect for people watching, a great wine selection, and live music every night,' says Vuković. This café dates back to 1927 and occupies the spot of the former Manon Café, a legendary Dubrovnik gathering place between the world wars. 'It reminds me of my childhood, still tucked in Antuninska street, one of many Old Town side streets,' says Vuković. 'We skipped classes and went there—pssst, do not tell my mum. Lovely simple sandwiches with homemade bread, cheese from oil, and prosciutto.' For a genuine taste of local life away from the tourist crowds, this is a must.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Croatia's coastline under threat as tourism boom fuels environmental concerns
BOZAVA, May 31 — With its rugged coastline, pristine waters and more than a thousand inlets and islands, Croatia has seen a tourist boom in recent years. Last year alone, more than 20 million visited the Balkan nation, much of which stretches along the Adriatic Sea. But the environmental impact of tourism on the nearly 6,000-kilometre (3,720-mile) coastline and marine life is troubling experts—and prompting calls for action. Sakarun beach on Dugi Otok island is often called 'Croatia's Caribbean'. Tourist boats drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the bay and head for its white sands. Some visitors complained, however, about unsightly swathes of Posidonia or dark Mediterranean seagrass on the shore, which led to its removal. The heavy machinery involved also removed sediment, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the sandy beach over the last decade. Croatia only has only a small number of sandy and pebble beaches, while the rest are rocky. 'We don't have many sandy beaches so it's important that the sand we have is protected,' said geologist Kristina Pikelj, from Zagreb University Faculty of Science. In 2021, she launched a project to monitor Sakarun, and to educate locals and tourists about the vital role played by the so-called 'lungs of the sea'. Posidonia—a key store of carbon and producer of oxygen—is critical to slowing the effects of climate change, as well as being vital for marine habitats and providing an erosion buffer for the beaches. For the past three years Posidonia, which was once used as a vineyard fertiliser, has been left on the beach, spread apart in piles. 'We understand the tourist aspect, to show them the sand, this bay is beautiful and people really enjoy it,' said Pikelj. Marija Meklav, one of three students participating in the fieldwork at Sakarun, added: 'We are trying to raise public awareness and achieve something directly through field and laboratory work. 'Our generation can achieve something in this regard,' the 24-year-old said. Artificial beaches With tourist numbers growing, local authorities have been expanding beach capacity for tourists in search of sun, sea and sand. At some locations so-called beach nourishment—adding sediment to repair natural erosion—has been carried out. But the technique has also been used to cover natural rocky parts with gravel or even concrete. During winter, the sea carries it away, meaning the costly process has to be repeated every season Dalibor Carevic, from Zagreb University Faculty of Civil Engineering said in places like Primosten, often called 'the town of beaches' on the central coast north of Split, the practice has gone too far. Experts repeatedly warned against the removal of hundreds of metres of rocks along one of its central beaches. The rocks were ground and mixed with quarry stones to make an artificial pebble beach that opened in 2011, with the process repeated every year. In less than a decade the coastline at the Mala Raduca beach has shifted by some 20 metres towards the sea, satellite pictures show. Primosten's veteran mayor Stipe Petrina, though, said beach nourishment was essential for a town dependent entirely on tourism. 'One cannot have a capacity for 15,000 people and beaches for 2,000,' he told AFP comparing it with a ski resort that hosts thousands of skiers but only offers a few hundred metres of slopes. When tourism started to take off in the 1960s, locals ground rocks to make access to the sea easier. 'Once there were vineyards here that could have remained but we would have all emigrated. The question is what is better,' said Petrina. 'In another Primosten bay there are rocks but I cannot see many tourists there,' Petrina said. The town of 2,800 people hosted nearly 90,000 tourists last year, mostly between July and August. In early May, German tourist Karin Hoggermann watched trucks bringing new gravel to prepare the beach for the season. 'For swimming and going in the sea, for kids, it's better that they repair the beach. Tourists would not come if they would not do that,' she said. Conquest of the sea Unlike in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or France, which also use beach nourishment, few rivers flow into the Adriatic Sea off Croatia, making its ecosystem more vulnerable as it is less accustomed to additional sediment input. Excessive construction even in protected marine areas, concreting, non-compliance with regulations and huge fleets of charter boats also take their toll. The number of car parks, marinas, ports and roads are also growing. One long-term solution is to raise awareness among locals and authorities as well as education, experts said, urging consultation for more sustainable solutions. 'That conquest of the sea is not good and should be discouraged,' said Carevic. — AFP
Zawya
a day ago
- General
- Zawya
Morocco: His Majesty the King Congratulates Croatian President on National Day
HM King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, on his country's national day. In this message, HM the King expresses to President Milanovic His warmest congratulations and best wishes for further progress and prosperity to the Croatian people. The Sovereign expresses His deep satisfaction with the close relations rooted in friendship and mutual esteem between the two countries, reiterating His firm determination to continue working with the Croatian President to strengthen the fruitful cooperation and extend it to all sectors, for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The 2024-25 FPL champion on how he beat 11.5m players and why he's thankful to Oliver Glasner
It feels good to be on top of the world: especially when you've beaten more than 11.5million others to become the world No 1 in Fantasy Premier League. While many spend their time fixating over competing against friends, family and colleagues in mini-leagues, there can only be one overall winner and when Gameweek 38 concluded last weekend, top spot went to Lovro Budisin, who finished 23 points ahead of his nearest challenger. He summited to No 1 overall in Gameweek 31 and impressively stayed there since. The was his fifth season playing and here, he tells us his story, how it feels to be the FPL champion and what he considers the keys to his success. My name is Lovro Budisin. I'm 24 years old and I study geodesy (the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field) in Zagreb. I've been playing handball since I was a child, up until university. I enjoy following sports and having a good time with friends, listening to good music and playing cards. Here in Croatia, the pace of life is slower, especially in smaller towns. We prefer to spend our Saturday and Sunday mornings socialising at cafes, followed by a family lunch and then, at least in my circle, we watch sports for the rest of the day. Advertisement Evenings are full of life — hanging out over a drink or two, sometimes even a bit more. The feeling is incredible, even though I'm still not fully aware of everything. Everything changed all of a sudden — I started using email more often, created a profile on X, and have already done quite a few interviews, even including a podcast on the Croatian YouTube channel Tribina. It's a big shift for someone who's not used to media obligations. On top of all that, I have a lot of university responsibilities, so I haven't even had time to celebrate this probably once-in-a-lifetime success. I hope to finish all my university-related tasks and, at some point during the summer, have a celebration with my friends. Congratulations to our 2024/25 #FPL champion, Lovro Budisin 🎉 — Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) May 25, 2025 In the final gameweek, it was more about not messing things up than actually needing anything. The half-time results were more than favourable for me. I was defending a 36-point lead — it should have been 40 but, in all the rush and panic, I decided to take a four-point hit after hearing that Kevin De Bruyne wasn't starting, so I brought in Bukayo Saka, who also ended up not starting. That wasn't the best decision but luckily, it didn't have much impact on the final result anyway. In the last round, I was focused more on checking the teams of the players chasing first place and tried to guess who they might bring in. Oh, that's a really tough question, to be honest. I'm a big fan of the Premier League in general but I don't support a specific team. I actually think that's one of the reasons it's easier for me to build my squad and make transfers. Advertisement Since I'm a student, I can't go whenever I want, so I've decided I'll most likely go in the second half of the season. I'll have more time then and the weather will be nicer too. Once the schedule comes out, I'll take a closer look and know more. I know that whatever I choose, I probably can't go wrong. I watched the final games on a tablet and two phones, since the HNL (the Hrvatska nogometna liga, Croatia's top flight) matches — where three teams were fighting for the title — were being played at the same time, and I had those on the TV. I'm used to watching multiple matches at once, so it wasn't a problem for me. I believe that the most important thing in life is to trust yourself. At the same time, you should be open to advice from people around you — and in this case, from well-known FPL experts — but in the end, every decision has to be yours alone. All the information you gather can be useful but you should rely mostly on yourself, which is, in essence, the hardest part. Most people follow others' moves. It's clear they either lack the knowledge or don't have the courage to follow their own instincts, even if it goes against most popular picks. For me, this season, trusting my gut helped a lot — that was the key to my success. The stats speak for themselves. Mohamed Salah is the player I captained the most this season and he was the most logical choice. I believe that choosing the right captain is a major factor in achieving success. Also, I made a few really good decisions, like holding on to Phil Foden, who brought in 42 points between Gameweek 20 and Gameweek 22. I also made some well-judged 50-50 calls, like picking Jakub Kiwior in Gameweek 33, even though William Saliba was more expensive and considered the better option by most — but I trusted my gut. Advertisement There were also a few risky captain choices that paid off, and I let go of certain players at the right time. I also have to mention Chris Wood, Eberechi Eze, and Jarrod Bowen. Eze and Bowen especially were a big help in the final gameweeks, while Wood was a player I used at different points throughout the season. Every gameweek is stressful in its own way. We all know that matches feel completely different when your fantasy picks are playing but for me, the most stressful moment was Gameweek 26 and an infamous 'late' transfer involving coach Oliver Glasner (who earned 20 points when his Crystal Palace side beat Fulham). I always keep track of the transfer deadline but at that moment, I was at dinner with family friends and time just flew by. Thank God — though I still don't know how or why — I suddenly looked at my watch and saw the bad news that I'd missed the (6.30pm UK time/ 1.30pm ET) deadline. It was a minute afterwards and I was instantly hit with panic. I quickly opened the app and, somehow, I was still able to make the transfer. I didn't think too much in that moment — I just immediately switched to Glasner and exited the app. A few minutes later, I saw that the deadline had actually been moved back by 30 minutes. To this day, I don't understand how that happened but I'm not complaining — I would've been really disappointed in myself if I had missed it. Honestly, I don't spend as much time on it as people probably think. I follow sports in general — from football and basketball to handball and combat sports. It's part of my everyday life, so I don't really spend a lot of extra time researching fantasy. FPL comes up almost daily in conversations with friends who also play this game. Advertisement I spend the most time in front of the computer during the final hour before the deadline. That's when I follow well-known YouTubers, who usually share useful information about injuries, who's starting, who's on the bench, and so on. Well, to start with, watch a tutorial on YouTube or ask a friend to walk you through the basic rules and point out the key things that help while playing. It's very important to understand that team value plays a big role. In the second half of the season, if you've managed to build up enough value, you can have a strong team where even the players on your bench are good enough to be in the starting line-up — and you can still expect returns from them. Keep an eye on price rises and falls, but don't get rid of a player at all costs just to avoid losing 0.1 million. Don't stress about your rank every gameweek. The season is long and things can change quickly. Take risks when you feel they might pay off. Not every decision will be the right one but, if everyone has the same players and follows the same advice, the game loses its magic. In the final gameweek, the Premier League title will be decided by a late wonder goal.
