Time

The likelihood of Greece leaving the European single currency remains relatively unlikely than during the peak of the eurozone crisis and the risk of contagion to other countries is lower than in 2012, rating agency Moody's said on Wednesday.

More than 276,000 irregular migrants entered the European Union last year, more than double in 2013, the bloc's commissioner for migration and home affairs, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said Jan. 14.

"In 2014, more than 276,000 migrants arrived in the EU, representing an increase of 138 percent compared to the previous year," Avramopoulos told the European Parliament.

If you are a party animal and just can't get enough of New Year's Eve celebrations, should prolong your stay in Serbia, which has another New Year's Eve on January 13.

No, Serbs are not addicted to having two "wildest nights of the year" in one month. The second celebration is a consequence of the fact that the Serbian Orthodox Church still sticks to the old, Julian calendar.

By Mike Dolan

British elections in May could arguably have as much impact on euro zone stability as this month's snap poll in Greece, making for an anxious period of up to six months for European investors.

The number of Syrian refugees has increased by 704 000 in the first half of 2014 and they are currently the largest refugee group under the mandate of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), according to a newly published report.

About 51.2 million people have been displaced since World War II, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said on Jan. 6, noting the current figures for displaced people are the highest they have ever been.

The "Great Return" home begins as the end of the holiday season approaches in Bulgaria, with heavy traffic expected both on Saturday and Sunday.

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As many as a million revelers braved frigid weather and poured into New York's Times Square for America's annual New Year party, which this year featured Taylor Swift.
     
Revelers in the Big Apple, wearing red traditional festive top hats, kissed and snapped selfies as a giant illuminated crystal ball slid down a pole, touching ground at precisely the stroke of midnight.

The ceremonial of the symbolic renewal of the calendar year over December 31 - January 1 means the burial of the old year and the birth of the new one, and it is called the old year before and the new year, after the midnight.

The Year divinity is born, grows, ages and dies along the calendar year and revives after 365 days, and 366 in leap years.

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On New Year's Eve, the team of AGERPRES National News Agency wishes you good health, happiness, prosperity and peace of mind.

AGERPRES thanks you for the collaboration and for the confidence you grant us every day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!