Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina talked today in Sarajevo with the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, who is in a working visit to B&amp;H, about the coronavirus pandemic, migration, B&amp;H's path to the European Union and the Brdo summit -Brioni that should be held in Slovenia.

The Chairman of the Presidency of B&amp;H, Milorad Dodik, assessed that the meeting was successful and that important issues were discussed.
At the press conference after the meeting, he said that the bilateral relations between B&amp;H and Slovenia are good and that there are no big open issues. He added that Slovenia is an important partner of B&amp;H in terms of the process of enlargement of the European Union and support for our path.
-I am grateful to the President for bringing us one important piece of news, and that is that Slovenia has decided to donate 4,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in support of such difficult times. We appreciate the efforts made by the President and the Government of Slovenia because we know that all countries are exposed to problems related to vaccines, and the assistance provided in that regard is very important to us- said Chairman Dodik.
He explained that the vaccines will be distributed according to the criteria that have been valid so far for the whole of B&amp;H - RS, the Federation of B&amp;H, and the Brčko District.
According to him, most of today's conversation was about how to fight the pandemic.
Dodik stated that the pandemic caused many economic difficulties, not only in B&amp;H but also in Slovenia, in all countries of Western Europe and around the world.
Another important issue discussed today is the issue of migration.
Dodik says that they informed the President of Slovenia about the fact that migrants use B&amp;H as a transit country and that a significant number of them stay here because "the lines of entry for Western Europe are getting hotter and harder for them".
He stressed that B&amp;H has collateral damage from that. According to him, people stay here, they do not want to stay, "they are becoming more and more belligerent in terms of going further, and the EU does not allow the arrival of new migrants on its territory."
The Brdo-Brioni summit was also discussed, for which there is an announcement and expectations that it will be held at the end of this month in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Dodik says he will put on the agenda all the issues discussed today, and within that one of the most important issues is EU enlargement and the prospects of that enlargement for B&amp;H, "in which there is a consensus that European integration is an acceptable thing for B&amp;H."

Chairman Milorad Dodik assessed that the meeting was successful and that important issues were discussed

Dodik stated that the pandemic caused many economic difficulties, not only in B&H but also in Slovenia, in all countries of Western Europe and around the world

Slovenia has decided to donate 4,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to B&H

A delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Defense Minister Sifet Podžić, continued the implementation of the official visit program to the Republic of Turkey through a series of activities in Ankara and Istanbul.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, Minister Podžić, accompanied by other members of the delegation, visited the Ground Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara, where he met with officials of this educational institution, as well as with our cadets.
Today, the MoD and AFB&amp;H delegation also visited the National Defense University and the Air Force Academy of the Republic of Turkey in Istanbul, where Minister Podžić met with our cadets and members of the AFB&amp;H who are studying in these institutions.
On that occasion, Podžić emphasized the importance of quality military education and specialist training for strengthening the overall capacities of the AFB&amp;H.
-The fact that you provided us with the largest number of places for our cadets to study abroad and cover all the costs of military training, confirms the friendly attitude of the Republic of Turkey towards the Armed Forces of B&amp;H, and thus the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for which I am extremely grateful- said Podžić.
Currently, there are 92 people in training in the Republic of Turkey, of which 75 are cadets of the AFB&amp;H and 17 members of the AFB&amp;H who attend various types of courses, command and staff schools and other types of specialist training.
The Minister of Defense of B&amp;H demanded from our cadets a high degree of responsibility and professionalism during training, as a sign of gratitude for this type of assistance, stating that with "their quality military education we not only strengthen personal and professional capacities of AFB&amp;H personal gain ".

Currently, there are 92 people in training of which 75 are cadets and 17 are members of the AFB&H

Podžić emphasized the importance of quality military education and specialist training for strengthening the overall capacities of the AFB&H

Podžić visits cadets and members of AFB&H who are undergoing training in Turkey

FB&amp;H Assistant Minister of Health Goran Čerkez pointed out today that the epidemiological situation in FB&amp;H is dramatic and that we must all get serious not to get into the situation in which Italy and Spain were last year.

At the press conference after the meeting on the current epidemiological situation and the possibilities of procuring vaccines at the headquarters of the FB&amp;H Government in Sarajevo, Čerkez stated that we cannot connect the current situation with the vaccination.
-This is best seen in the example of Serbia, which is among the leading countries in terms of vaccination, and is experiencing even the fourth wave of the epidemic- Čerkez added.
He emphasized that the state level in B&amp;H has failed in the procurement of vaccines and that at today's meeting it was decided to form a commission for the procurement of vaccines for FB&amp;H.
-There must be no hesitation in introducing measures to combat the spread of the infection, because every day of delay leads to a situation where we will not have a free space for people in hospitals- Čerkez underlined.
He called on all citizens, and especially caterers, to respect the measures in force and that no events to celebrate March 8 are acceptable.

He called on all citizens, and especially caterers, to respect the measures in force and that no events to celebrate March 8 are acceptable

Čerkez stated that we cannot connect the current situation with the vaccination

Čerkez: Dramatic epidemiological situation, we should not hesitate with measures

The Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ALMBiH) checked the quality of vaccines against Covid-19: Sputnik V and Astra Zeneca vaccines and determined that the tested samples of these vaccines correspond to the declared quality in terms of tested parameters.

Considering the above, the conditions have been met for the mentioned vaccines to be used in the process of immunization of the population, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of B&amp;H announced.
At the same time, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of B&amp;H today approved the import of the vaccine manufactured by Astra Zeneca (Covid-19 Vaccine AZ / SKBio), which is provided for Bosnia and Herzegovina through the COVAX mechanism, the statement said.

The conditions have been met for the mentioned vaccines to be used in the process of immunization of the population

Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of B&H today approved the import of the vaccine manufactured by Astra Zeneca  which is provided for Bosnia and Herzegovina through the COVAX mechanism

B&H Medicines Agency: Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines can be used

In the past 24 hours, 2,299 samples were registered with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 423 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

New cases of coronavirus have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&amp;H.
A total of 462,555 samples have been tested so far, and SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in 87,769 individuals.
As of today, 78,324 patients have recovered in the Federation of B&amp;H. In the past 24 hours, 213 patients recovered. Currently, 6,673 cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 are active.
In the past 24 hours, 20 new deaths were reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H.
As of today, the number of deaths in the Federation of B&amp;H is 2772, according to the FB&amp;H Public Health Institute.
In the last 24 hours at the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska, the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska, the University Hospital in Foča and the hospitals of St. Vračevi in Bijeljina and Sv. Apostle Luke in Doboj tested 668 laboratory samples, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in 176 people.
In the last 24 hours, seven deaths were reported to the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska, in which the presence of coronavirus was confirmed.
So far, 44,286 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Republic of Srpska, and a total of 2,277 people have died in whom a positive test has been confirmed.
In Republic of Srpska, 36,488 people have recovered so far, and a total of 204,619 people have been tested.
Another 22 new cases out of 57 tested were registered in the Brčko District. Three people recovered and one person died.

New cases of coronavirus have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&H

In the past 24 hours, 20 new deaths were reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&H

COVID-19 confirmed in 621 people in B&H, with 28 deaths

The Czech capital Prague and the Labour Ministry said there had been cyber attacks on their email systems but although the mayor of Prague said it was a large attack, he added the damage caused was limited.

-There has been a massive cyber attack on public service systems. The city’s servers survived the attack. An outage was made to install a safety patch to the emailing system- Mayor Zdenek Hrib said late on Thursday on Twitter.
On Friday morning, he said that the city’s emails were working and that there was no need to recover data from backup systems.
Labor Minister Jana Malacova told Seznam Zpravy news website that her ministry was attacked too, without giving further details.
The National Cyber and Information Agency (NUKIB) said it was providing assistance to the attacked institutions. There was no indication yet who carried out the cyber attacks.
-NUKIB, together with other partners, including the organised crime unit of the police, is helping the targeted institutions to solve the situation and to minimize the damage- the agency said in a statement.
It said that it would not comment further on the scale of the incident or specify which organisations were attacked.
The attacks followed several attempts to hack state organisations in the Czech Republic over the past year, including Prague airport or hospitals.
The Labour Ministry plays a key part in helping people affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as it distributes billions of crowns worth of aid.

The National Cyber and Information Agency (NUKIB) said it was providing assistance to the attacked institutions

Seagulls fly over people looking at the Prague Castle amid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Prague, Czech Republic, December 28, 2020.

Czech capital Prague, Labour Ministry face cyber attacks

Representatives of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of B&amp;H are working daily with their associates to improve the living conditions for 620 migrants who are currently staying in the Lipa camp near Bihać.

-According to the latest daily report, 620 people are currently staying here. Most are citizens of Pakistan, 450 of them, followed by about 80 migrants from Afghanistan, and a smaller number from other countries. There is evident progress from day to day when it comes to living conditions for these people. They are provided with adequate accommodation, distribution of food and other necessities, as well as daily medical care- said Deputy Director of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of B&amp;H, Mirsad Buzar.
As a novelty, he mentions a complex of medical and sanitary containers, in which it is possible to maintain personal hygiene and treat scabies. He pointed out that an open kitchen for migrants is being built, where they will be able to prepare their traditional dishes and socialize.
Apart from the distribution of daily meals, the restaurant space is also used for the organization of certain social activities. President of Caritas Europa Michael Landau visited the camp today and saw the significant improvement of conditions in the "Lipa" camp and the dignified treatment of migrants and refugees during his visit.
-Enormous progress is evident in the process of taking care of these people. I am pleased with the excellent cooperation between the competent state institutions and international organizations, which is now at an enviable level. This can now in a way serve as an organizational example for all other camps in B&amp;H, but also some other countries. Truly an example of efficient joint work and humane care of people in need- concluded the President of Caritas Europa Michael Landau.
Members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are working on the rehabilitation of all access roads, while the process of cleaning and preparing sites for the construction of a container migrant settlement with a capacity of 1,500 people has already been completed. It was also confirmed that a project for the construction of a new camp has been made and that more favorable weather conditions and approval, i.e. support from the European Union, are awaited.

Most are citizens of Pakistan, 450 of them, followed by about 80 migrants from Afghanistan, and a smaller number from other countries

As a novelty, there is a complex of medical and sanitary containers, in which it is possible to maintain personal hygiene and treat scabies

Conditions for 620 migrants staying in 'Lipa' camp are improving every day

Japan will extend a virus state of emergency in the Tokyo area by a fortnight, officials said Friday, less than five months before the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics.

The decision came as Moderna filed for approval of its Covid-19 vaccine in Japan, becoming the third major drug firm to do so, its distribution partner Takeda said.
The Pfizer/BioNTech is so far the only jab approved for use in Japan, which is taking a cautious approach to its inoculation campaign that launched in a limited fashion last month.
Despite a winter spike in infections, Japan has seen a comparatively small outbreak overall with just over 8,000 deaths, and has avoided imposing the blanket lockdowns seen in other countries.
The state of emergency, which primarily calls for bars and restaurants to close from 8pm, was due to end on Sunday and has been lifted early in other regions.
It has brought infections down in the capital but the rate of decline is slowing and experts warn of a potential resurgence when restrictions are removed.
Top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said the virus emergency would continue in Tokyo and three surrounding regions until March 21 -- four days before the nationwide Olympic torch relay kicks off in northeastern Fukushima prefecture.
The two-week extension, expected to be formally announced later on Friday, could cost the economy an extra 700 billion yen ($6.5 billion) in lost consumption, Tokyo-based think-tank NRI predicted.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga apologised for the imminent extension but said the government was "doing its utmost to prevent a rebound" in infections.
Tokyo logged around 270 daily cases on average over the past week.
Japan's response to the virus is in the spotlight as Tokyo prepares to host the postponed Olympics, due to start on July 23.
Tokyo 2020 organisers have outlined measures they say will keep the Games safe -- even without requiring participants to be vaccinated or quarantined on arrival.
Border restrictions currently bar almost all foreign arrivals, which has forced the postponement of the year's first test event, an artistic swimming qualifier.
Japan began its vaccination programme on February 17 and has so far given first doses to around 39,000 healthcare workers.
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine was also filed for approval a month ago and domestic clinical trials are underway.

The decision came as Moderna filed for approval of its Covid-19 vaccine in Japan, becoming the third major drug firm to do so

Terumi Kamisawa, left, president of Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Center Komagome Hospital receives a dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital in Tokyo Friday, March 5, 2021. Japan's government will extend a state of emergency in the Tokyo region for another two weeks because its medical systems are still strained by COVID-19 patients, the minister in charge of virus response said Friday

Japan to extend virus state of emergency in Tokyo area

Prime Minister of the Federation of B&amp;H, Fadil Novalić, stated today that the Federation of B&amp;H is hit by an emergency situation due to the sudden increase in the number of people infected with coronavirus.

After the meeting on the current epidemiological situation and procurement of vaccines, Novalić said at the press conference that FB&amp;H is facing a new wave of the epidemic that has affected other countries as well.
-At the meeting, we discussed epidemiological measures and vaccination that will be carried out in the Federation of B&amp;H, after the state level said that it could not meet our needs,” Novalić pointed out.
He added that any increase in the number of infected people that the health system cannot service must be stopped by radical closure measures.
Novalić stated that these measures significantly affect the economy and that they are the last option in the fight against the epidemic.
-We have formed a commission that will propose to the Government of FB&amp;H the procurement of vaccines, and it will directly negotiate with suppliers on behalf of the Government- Novalić explained.
He stressed that the price of vaccines will not be the same as in the COVAX mechanism that failed and that the issue of the price should not be problematic if we want to get vaccines quickly.
-We did everything to make the whole process very transparent- Novalić underlined.
In addition to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers of the FB&amp;H, the meeting was attended by representatives of the FB&amp;H Ministry of Health, the FB&amp;H Public Health Institute and the Health Committee of the House of Representatives of the FB&amp;H Parliament, as well as cantonal prime ministers and health ministers.

He added that any increase in the number of infected people that the health system cannot service must be stopped by radical closure measures

Prime Minister of the Federation of B&H Fadil Novalić

Novalić: FB&H in the new wave of coronavirus epidemic, lockdown the last option

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor is on a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina today. 

The program of the visit includes a meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of B&amp;H Milorad Dodik and members of the Presidency of B&amp;H Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović. 
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, will also visit the contingent of the Slovenian Army at the Butmir Military Base, which operates within Operation EUFOR Althea at the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo.&nbsp;

The program of the visit includes a meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of B&H Milorad Dodik and members of the Presidency of B&H Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor on a working visit to B&H

Israel, Austria and Denmark said on Thursday they would set up a joint research and development fund and possibly production facilities for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure they had long-term supplies for booster shots or to contend with virus mutations.European Union members Austria and Denmark have been chafing at delays in ordering, approving and distributing vaccines within here 27-member bloc that have left it trailing far behind Israel's world-beating vaccination campaign.
After hosting his Austrian and Danish counterparts for talks and a tour of an Israeli gym open to those documented as having been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the pact.
-Once we get over this cycle of the disease we have no guarantee that it won’t come back. We don’t know how long - nobody knows - how long these vaccines will hold up- he said at a joint news conference. -And therefore we have to protect our people against the reemergence of this pandemic or mutations.-Austria’s Sebastian Kurz said he was “very happy” about an EU vaccine initiative “but we also need to cooperate worldwide”.
The European Commission has said member states were free to strike separate deals should they wish to.
The trilateral pact, Kurz said, would include investment in production plants in Europe and Israel, and each country contributing where it best can to the manufacturing cycle.
-In Austria, for example, lipid production necessary for many vaccines is already taking place- the chancellor said.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country was looking to expand its production capacity. “We would like in common also to explore possible cooperation on clinical trials” with Israel and Austria, she said.
Netanyahu, who said 90% of eligible Israelis have either received at least one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or recovered from the virus, has made the programme a showcase of his campaign for a March 23 election.
-We will be, together, ‘Vaccination Nations’- he said of the deal with Austria and Denmark. -And we agreed that if other nations want to join us, we will discuss this among ourselves and welcome others to come in as well.-

The European Commission has said member states were free to strike separate deals should they wish to

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adjusts his protective face mask after receiving a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel December 19, 2020.

Israel, Austria and Denmark establish vaccine-supply alliance

Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Grubeša received today Ambassador of the Republic of France to B&amp;H Christine Toudic in an inaugural visit.

During the meeting, Ambassador Toudic informed the Minister about the activities of France in B&amp;H and pointed out that the current bilateral cooperation between the two countries is successful, with a strong desire to continue this practice in the future.
Among other things, the Ambassador emphasized France's commitment to continue supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to European integration, especially when it comes to judicial reform, the rule of law, and public administration reform. Both sides expressed interest in future cooperation between the two countries, especially in terms of education, training and additional training of the necessary staff.
Minister Grubeša underlined Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to the necessary judicial reform, reminded of the demands on its European path, and that with his full engagement he expects access from other competent institutions, the B&amp;H Ministry of Justice said.

Both sides expressed interest in future cooperation between the two countries, especially in terms of education, training and additional training of the necessary staff

Ambassador of the Republic of France to B&H Christine Toudic and Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina Josip Grubeša

Toudic: France committed to continue supporting B&H

B&amp;H Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Miloš Lučić talked today with Head of the European Union Delegation and EU Special Representative in B&amp;H Johann Sattler about the European Commission's Opinion on B&amp;H's application for EU membership, as well as activities that the Ministry needs to undertake to fulfill the priorities from the Opinion.

Lučić informed Sattler that the Ministry will undertake activities this month to initiate the procedure for the adoption of amendments to the Law on the Human Rights Ombudsman. The Minister pointed out that the formation of an inter-ministerial working group is in progress, and that the Ministry is preparing a draft text of the law that will be offered to the working group for harmonization and final elaboration.
Lučić emphasized the importance of further EU support in the implementation of the Regional Housing Program in B&amp;H, with the obligation of B&amp;H to provide a non-monetary contribution to the project in the coming period. It was also agreed that in the coming period, stronger work will be done on the promotion of this significant project in B&amp;H when it comes to the care of internally displaced persons and refugees from B&amp;H.
Minister informed Sattler that activities are underway to map the needs of internally displaced persons and socially vulnerable categories of the population, which should be completed by the end of this year.
The Minister and the Ambassador agreed that it is necessary for B&amp;H to adopt strategic documents in the field of human rights and anti-discrimination, the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of B&amp;H announced.

The Minister pointed out that the formation of an inter-ministerial working group is in progress

Lučić-Sattler: Adopt strategic documents in the field of human rights

The Czech Republic will receive the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Chinese firm Sinopharm, a top official said on Wednesday night.

On Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ request, President Milos Zeman had approached China for supply of the vaccine, according to Jiri Ovcacek, a spokesperson for the president.
-According to a report by the Czech Embassy in Beijing, the Chinese side decided to comply with this request immediately- he said on Twitter.
The Czech Republic will be the second member of the European Union after Hungary to use the Chinese vaccine.
The country is also set to get an additional 100,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from the EU, according to Prime Minister Babis.
-Thanks to EU solidarity and the Commission's SOS mechanism, the Czech Republic will receive an extra 100,000 doses of @pfizer next week. This will speed up vaccination and help beat the virus- he said.
-My deepest thanks to the Commission, @vonderleyen [Ursula von der Leyen] and all Member States. It means a lot to us!-The Czech Republic had the highest per-capita infection rate in the world in mid-February, according to data from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).
The country of some 11 million registered 1,124 cases per 100,000 people between Feb. 8 and Feb. 22, ECDC figures show.
Authorities reported 15,088 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, raising the overall count to over 1.28 million.
There were 93 more fatalities in the country, taking the death toll to 21,128, while recoveries increased by 288 to cross 1.1 million.
Some 8,231 COVID-19 patients are currently under treatment in the Czech Republic, according to latest figures.

Czech Republic will become 2nd EU country after Hungary to use Chinese vaccine

The Czech Republic had the highest per-capita infection rate in the world in mid-February

Czech Republic to get China’s Sinopharm virus vaccine

Chancellor Angela Merkel and German state leaders have agreed a phased easing of coronavirus curbs along with an “emergency brake” to let authorities reimpose restrictions if case numbers spike again.With elections looming, Merkel and the regional leaders have faced growing pressure to set out plans to restore normal activities after four months of lockdown.
However, daily cases are creeping up again and only around 5% of the population have received a first vaccine shot.
-We are at the threshold of a new phase of the pandemic that we can go into not carelessly but still with justified hope- Merkel told reporters on Wednesday after what she described as “tough negotiations” with the regional chiefs.
The leaders agreed to use the full length of the approved interval between first and second vaccinations and to minimise stockpiling of booster shots to get more people started on the two-shot course.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends giving Pfizer and BioNTech’s injections three weeks apart and AstraZeneca’s up to 12 weeks apart.
They also said they expected a decision soon from Germany’s standing committee on vaccination on administering the AstraZeneca shot to over-65s, “in order to be able to adjust the vaccination schedule accordingly”.Germany currently only allows the AstraZeneca vaccine to be given to people aged 18 to 64, which has led to a low take-up of available doses, slowing vaccination efforts.

Under Wednesday’s five-stage plan, up to five people from two households will be allowed to meet from March 8, with children under 14 exempt.

Retailers can reopen provided case numbers are below 50 cases per 100,000 people over seven days in the relevant region. If the incidence rises above 50, ‘click and meet’ restrictions kick in, whereby customers book a slot to go to the store.
If the metric rises above 100 on three consecutive days, the emergency brake will take effect and restrictions revert to those in force before March 8.
Later stages will see restaurant terraces open, and museums, theatres and cinemas reopening for people who can present a recent negative test result. Finally, open-air events with up to 50 people will be allowed, and contact sports inside.

From March 8 the government will pay for all asymptomatic citizens to have a quick coronavirus test at least once a week. Merkel and state leaders will discuss further steps on March 22.

Widely praised last year for relative success in containing the first wave of the pandemic, Merkel has seen support for her Christian Democrats fall to 34%, its lowest in a year, a Forsa opinion poll conducted for RTL/ntv television showed.
Two regional elections are due this month and a national election in September, when Merkel is due to step down.Health Minister Jens Spahn said the vaccine campaign should be accelerated within days, assuming approval is granted for over-65s to get the AstraZeneca/Oxford shot. Evidence of its efficacy is mounting from Britain, where more than 30% have already received their first shot.

The government currently only allows the AstraZeneca vaccine to be given to people aged 18 to 64, which has led to a low take-up of available doses, slowing vaccination efforts

A medical worker takes a swab sample from a person at a COVID-19 quick test center of German drugstore chain dm-drogerie markt amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Karlsruhe, Germany, March 4, 2021.

Germany agrees easing of COVID-19 curbs, more testing and vaccinations

On the eve of his historic trip to Iraq, Pope Francis paid tribute Thursday to those who have suffered from years of violence, saying he came as a "pilgrim of peace".

In a video message, the 84-year-old offered his hand to "brothers and sisters of other religions", but also highlighted the heavy toll paid by Iraq's Christian communities, saying there had been "too many martyrs".
-I long to meet you, to see your faces, to visit your land, ancient and extraordinary cradle of civilisation- the pope said.
-I come as a pilgrim, a penitent pilgrim to implore forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord after years of war and terrorism.--I come as a pilgrim of peace in search of fraternity, animated by the desire to pray together and to walk together, also with the brothers and sisters of other religions- he added.
The pope, making his first foreign trip since the coronavirus pandemic swept Europe a year ago, will arrive in Iraq on Friday before embarking on a packed schedule of events through to Sunday.
From central Baghdad to the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, welcome banners featuring his image and Arabic title "Baba al-Vatican" already dot the streets.
From Ur, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham in the southern desert, to ravaged Christian towns in the north, roads are being paved and churches rehabilitated.
Among the most extraordinary moments of the trip will be his one-on-one meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highly reclusive cleric, who is a top religious authority for many of the world's Shiite Muslims.&nbsp;

Francis is fulfilling the dream of a predecessor, John Paul II, by visiting Iraq -- despite a rampaging coronavirus epidemic and an upsurge in violence. 

The security challenges were highlighted Wednesday when a rocket attack hit a base hosting US-led coalition troops, which came after several weeks of escalating US-Iran tensions on Iraqi soil.
The pope said on Wednesday he was determined not to "disappoint" the Iraqi people.
But concerns over security and tight restrictions imposed to stop the spread of Covid-19 mean that most Iraqis will have to follow the trip on television.
Though the pope enjoys being among his faithful, crowds at his events have been strictly limited, while he will mostly travel in an armoured, covered car.

Iraq's Christian community is one of the oldest and most diverse in the world, with Chaldeans and other Catholics making up around half, along with Armenian Orthodox, Protestants and others.

By 2003, when the US-led invasion toppled then-dictator Saddam Hussein, Christians made up around six percent of Iraq's 25 million people. 
But after years of bloodshed, its numbers have fallen to just 400,000 today. 
The Argentine pope said he was "honoured to meet a martyred Church" and thanked them for their faith.
There had been "too many martyrs", he said, while survivors "have in your eyes the images of destroyed houses and desecrated churches, and in your hearts the wounds of loved ones left behind and homes abandoned".
He said the Catholic Church that he leads "encourages you to go on".
Francis also paid tribute to the minority Yazidi community, "who have suffered so much". 
Thousands of Yazidis were killed and women taken into sexual slavery when the Islamic State swept through Iraq in 2014.

The pope, making his first foreign trip since the coronavirus pandemic swept Europe a year ago, will arrive in Iraq on Friday before embarking on a packed schedule of events through to Sunday

Francis is fulfilling the dream of a predecessor, John Paul II, by visiting Iraq

Slovenia has decided to donate 4,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to B&H

Podžić visits cadets and members of AFB&H who are undergoing training in Turkey

Čerkez: Dramatic epidemiological situation, we should not hesitate with measures

B&H Medicines Agency: Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines can be used

COVID-19 confirmed in 621 people in B&H, with 28 deaths

Czech capital Prague, Labour Ministry face cyber attacks

Conditions for 620 migrants staying in 'Lipa' camp are improving every day

Japan to extend virus state of emergency in Tokyo area

Novalić: FB&H in the new wave of coronavirus epidemic, lockdown the last option

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor on a working visit to B&H

Israel, Austria and Denmark establish vaccine-supply alliance

Toudic: France committed to continue supporting B&H

Lučić-Sattler: Adopt strategic documents in the field of human rights

Czech Republic to get China’s Sinopharm virus vaccine

Germany agrees easing of COVID-19 curbs, more testing and vaccinations

Pope says he will visit Iraq as 'pilgrim of peace'

News

Slovenia has decided to donate 4,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to B&H

Podžić visits cadets and members of AFB&H who are undergoing training in Turkey

Čerkez: Dramatic epidemiological situation, we should not hesitate with measures

B&H Medicines Agency: Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines can be used

COVID-19 confirmed in 621 people in B&H, with 28 deaths

Czech capital Prague, Labour Ministry face cyber attacks

Conditions for 620 migrants staying in 'Lipa' camp are improving every day

Japan to extend virus state of emergency in Tokyo area

Novalić: FB&H in the new wave of coronavirus epidemic, lockdown the last option

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor on a working visit to B&H

Israel, Austria and Denmark establish vaccine-supply alliance

Toudic: France committed to continue supporting B&H

Lučić-Sattler: Adopt strategic documents in the field of human rights

Czech Republic to get China’s Sinopharm virus vaccine

Germany agrees easing of COVID-19 curbs, more testing and vaccinations

Pope says he will visit Iraq as 'pilgrim of peace'