SOFIA -- Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.
Throughout January, the Bulgarian lev (BGN) will remain in circulation alongside the euro. However, from Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender.
Between Jan. 1 and June 30, people will be able to exchange lev for euros free of charge at banks and post offices. After this period, currency exchanges will be subject to a fee. (Bulgaria-Euro-Economy)
- - - -
CAPE TOWN -- Nine people were killed and eight others injured in a traffic accident in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa on Wednesday morning, local media reported.
According to media reports, the accident involving a minibus taxi and a passenger car occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time on the R61 road between Engcobo and Cofimvaba near Beyele Village in the Eastern Cape.
"The minibus taxi, carrying 16 occupants, was traveling from Ngcobo to the surrounding rural areas. The Toyota Avanza, with four occupants, was traveling from Cofimvaba. The two vehicles collided head-on," Provincial Transport Department Spokesperson Unathi Binqose was quoted as saying. (South Africa-Eastern Cape-Traffic Accident)
- - - -
RAMALLAH -- Palestine on Wednesday rejected an Israeli decision to revoke the permits of 37 international humanitarian and relief organizations operating in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
In a press statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected the justifications provided by Israeli authorities for the ban, stressing that these organizations deliver vital humanitarian, health, and environmental assistance to Palestinians.
The ministry reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and emphasized that the State of Palestine welcomes the work of nationally and internationally recognized organizations, especially those operating in accordance with established humanitarian standards. (Palestine-Israel-Permits)
- - - -
ADEN, Yemen -- Yemen's internationally recognized government said Wednesday the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun withdrawing its remaining forces from the country amid escalating tensions in the war-torn Arab nation.
In a statement carried by the official Yemen TV, the government said "four military cargo planes departed from Al Rayyan Airport in the southeastern province of Hadramout, carrying hundreds of UAE soldiers along with military equipment."
Local residents saw Saudi warplanes hovering over several areas in Hadramout in recent hours. Yet forces loyal to Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) reportedly refused to withdraw from the province and kept heavy deployment at key sites, amid concerns over a possible ground operation by Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops reportedly gathering near Hadramout. (Yemen-UAE-Withdrawal) ■
