Croatian music legend Mišo Kovač dies; UN worker dies in Houthi custody

Mate Mišo Kovač, one of Croatia's most beloved singers, has died at his home in Split, sources close to the family confirmed on Sunday. He was 85. Kovač, a native of Šibenik, began his singing career at 16 and rose to fame in the late 1960s with hits like "Više se nećeš vratiti." Over a career spanning nearly five decades, he sold more than 20 million records and became a symbol of Dalmatian music, beloved by fans of Hajduk Split. He won the Split Festival in 1971 with "Proplakat će zora" and was named singer of the year five times. In 2012, he received the Porin Award for lifetime achievement. His songs, including "Dalmatino" and "Ostala si uvijek ista," remain staples of Croatian radio. Kovač is survived by his wife Lidija and daughter Ivana, and his funeral will be held in Zagreb, according to reports from Split musicians.

While Croatia mourns a music icon, the United Nations reported the death of one of its staff members in Yemen. Mohammad el Shami, a Yemeni national working for the UN human rights office, died in Houthi captivity, the UN said. His family was only informed more than a month after his death, and no cause or circumstances were provided. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called the death "extremely disturbing" and demanded a prompt, thorough and independent investigation. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the death and reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN and humanitarian staff still detained. El Shami had been held since June 2024, and is the second UN staff member to die in Houthi custody, after a World Food Programme employee died in February 2025.