Briefly

UNITED STATES

National Guard to be pulled out from 3 cities

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up."We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that crime has been greatly reduced by having these great patriots in those cities, and only by that fact," Trump wrote. "We will come back ... when crime begins to soar again — Only a question of time!"

TURKIYE

Visa-free entry granted for Chinese tourists

Turkiye has granted visa-free travel to Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday. Under the new rules signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chinese travelers will be exempt from visa requirements for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The policy is set to take effect on Friday.

EUROPEAN UNION

Bulgaria becomes 21st country to adopt euro

Bulgaria became the 21st country to switch to the euro as it entered the New Year on Thursday, nearly 20 years after the Balkan nation joined the European Union. At midnight, Bulgaria gave up the lev currency, which has been in use since the late 19th century, and Bulgarian euro coins were projected onto the central bank's building. To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender.

Agencies - Xinhua