Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, talking to the President of Bulgaria, a country whose entry into Schengen was blocked by Austria

Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, and the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, met on the first day of the year at the traditional New Year's concert in Vienna. From the photos posted, it appears that the leader from Sofia also met in Vienna with the Foreign Minister of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian chancellor and the Bulgarian president agreed on a visit to the Bulgarian border on January 23, according to Digi24. This visit would be of major importance in Austria's decision to accept Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area.

President of China: "We are in a difficult time, but there is light of hope"

The President of China Xi Jinping has said that "there is light of hope " as his country faces an explosion of COVID-19 cases after the sudden lifting of health restrictions, reports AFP.

January 1, National Day of Slovakia

The Republic of Slovakia celebrates its National Day after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia 30 years ago on January 1, 1993. The country with a population of over 5.4 million inhabitants joined NATO and the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone on 1 January 2009. Slovakia is also a member of the Schengen Area, informs G4Media.ro.

France asks EU countries to test travelers from China for COVID

France today asked European Union states to test all travelers from China for Covid, after Paris decided to do so amid an outbreak that has engulfed Chinese territory. Among the 27 states in the European bloc, only Italy and Spain have imposed the obligation to present a negative test, and EU health officials failed last week to agree on a common approach, informs Rador.

Sweden has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union

Today, January 1, Sweden takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from the Czech Republic for a period of six months. According to a statement issued by the EU Council, the Swedish presidency will continue the work of the Council based on four priorities: security, competitiveness, green transition and ecological transition, democratic values and the rule of law.

Croatia officially switches to the Euro currency and enters the Schengen area

From today, January 1, the official currency in Croatia is the Euro, the country entering the Schengen area. In this sense, more than half of the bank terminals were disconnected, so that the new banknotes could be included in them, writes Euronews.

The meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia and Syria could take place in January

The head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Mevlüt Çavușoğlu, following a telephone conversation with the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, announced that, in the second half of January, the meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia and Syria could take place, reports Rador.

New Russian attacks on Ukraine

An air raid alert was announced on Saturday in all regions of Ukraine. The signal means there is a threat of airstrikes, during which Ukrainians must hide in shelters. According to witnesses, the city of Kyiv and several regions were bombed, writes Ukrainska Pravda. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitalii Kliciko, announced on Telegram that as a result of the bombings, one person died, three others were injured, and several buildings were damaged.

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died, the Vatican announces

Sad news for the parishioners of the Catholic Church. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has passed away. He died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced. The German theologian, whose resignation in 2013 took the world by surprise, died during the morning, and his lifeless body will be deposited on Monday in the "St. Peter's" Basilica, so that people can pay their last respects.

A bus full of Moldovans, involved in a serious road accident in Romania. What is the condition of the passengers

A terrible road accident involving a coach and a car occurred on Friday evening in the town of Bohotin, Iași county. As a result of the impact, the driver of the car - a 22-year-old man - died, and the other driver arrived at the hospital. There were seven passengers with dual citizenship - Moldovan and Romanian - in the bus.

More and more countries require passengers flying from China to present a negative COVID test

Travellers boarding in China bound for France will have to present a negative COVID -19 test upon departure, the French government announced Friday evening, reports AFP.

NATO chief warns world must 'prepare for long period' of war

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warns Vladimir Putin has not given up on his plans to control Ukraine and says everyone must 'prepare for a long period" of war, The Guardian reports.