Zoran Milanović less than 1% short of being re-elected as president
Croatia's incumbent President Zoran Milanović, the candidate of the opposition Social Democratic Party, won the first round of the country's presidential election on 29 December with 49.09% of the vote. The incumbent president, Zoran Milanovic, won by less than one percentage point. He faces a second round on 12 January against independent candidate Dragan Primorac, who is backed by the ruling centre-right Croatian Democratic Union. Primorac won 19.35% of the vote in a 46.03% turnout. There were 8 candidates in the first round. Croatian media described Zoran Milanović's result as a triumph, comparing it to former president Stipe Mesic's victory in 2005, reports BTA. Analysts say there is little chance of the second round result being overturned.
Ankara to invest billions in Kurdish areas in search for peace with PKK
$14 billion regional development plan that aims to reduce the economic gap between its mainly Kurdish southeast region and the rest of the country. The announcement comes amid increased hopes for an end to a decades-long insurgency waged by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in southeast Turkiye as well as the advent of a new leadership in neighbouring Syria with cordial ties to Ankara, Reuters reports. The eastern and southeastern provinces of Turkiye have long lagged behind other regions of the country in most economic indicators including gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, partly as a result of the insurgency. Turkish Industry Minister Fatih Kacir told reporters in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa that the government would spend a total 496.2 billion lira ($14.15 billion) on 198 projects across the region in the period to 2028.
In sub-zero temperatures, nine Bulgarians jumped into the icy waters of Lake Michigan for the Epiphany cross, the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Chicago announced on its Facebook page. The cross was retrieved by 18-year-old Danail..
The compulsory Third Party Liability insurance for car owners may become more expensive due to changes in the Insurance Code, submitted by the government in parliament. This warning came from insurers who are dissatisfied with the planned removal of..
For the fourth consecutive year, the literacy and spelling platform "How to Spell" is searching for the word that best describes the past 365 days of 2024. "Anyone can make their suggestions, even if they repeat – just write them", urges Dolly..
Cadets from Vietnam are training at the Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy in Dolna Mitropolia. This year they will study Bulgarian,..
On January 6, the feast of Epiphany, the traditional water blessing of the battle flags and holy flags of the Bulgarian Army will be celebrated in all..
On January 6, Epiphany, Bulgarians celebrate 177 years since the birth of poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. On this occasion, the..
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