At the stroke of midnight on December 31, Croatia switched to the shared European currency, the euro, and removed dozens of border checkpoints and joined the world's largest passport-free travel area. Croats are now among almost 420 million people who are free to roam its 27 member countries without passports for work or leisure.
Adopting the euro likewise offers Croatia the benefits stemming from deeper financial ties with the currency's 19 other users and with the European Central Bank. It also made travelling and doing business easier, removing the hassle of currency exchange for Croats going abroad and for tens of thousands of tourists who visit their country each year for work or to enjoy its stunning Adriatic coastline.
Lula Sworn in as Brazil's President
Leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as President of Brazil under tightened security in the capital Brasilia.
Lula had narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in October 2022 to win an unprecedented third presidential term after a hiatus that saw him spend a year and a half behind bars on corruption convictions that were later overturned. Now, he faces the daunting challenge of improving Brazil's stagnant economy while also uniting a country that has become polarised under Bolsonaro.
Jan 01, 2023
Israel's Netanyahu Sworn In As Prime Minister for 3rd Term
Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel's Prime Minister following a vote in parliament that brought in the most right-wing government in the country's history.
Netanyahu was sworn in a few minutes after his new government was approved, with 63 deputies out of 120 voting in favour of the administration.
Netanyahu formed his government after signing agreements with ultra-Orthodox parties and parties from the far right.
NATO Chief Calls for more Weapons for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on NATO member states to supply more weapons to Ukraine.
As per Stoltenberg, it was perhaps even more important that Ukraine receive enough ammunition for the systems already in place, adding that the need for ammunition and spare parts was enormous.
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in an address to a group of Western leaders asked for a wide range of weapons and air defence systems to help efforts to counter the Russian invasion.