Hong Kong will ban evening dining at restaurants and close fitness centres, the city's leader said Tuesday, as part of new measures aimed at stemming a fourth wave of coronavirus infections.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the rules will come into effect on Thursday and aim to reduce the "number of people on the streets", echoing moves taken by authorities when cases spiked earlier this year.
Dining out will be banned after 6 pm, beauty and massage parlours will be forced to close, and civil servants would be asked to work from home, she said.
Hong Kong's strict social distancing measures have largely helped keep infections to under 7000 in the city of 7.5 million, with 112 deaths.
But daily recorded cases have risen again to more than 100 on several occasions in recent weeks, the highest level since July.
Speaking ahead of a weekly meeting with policy advisers, Lam said "the strictness of social distancing measures must at least return to the level" of the outbreak's peak in the city in July and August.
Schools, bars and nightclubs have already been ordered to close.
The city's health minister Sophia Chan, speaking later on Tuesday, said the measures would last for two weeks from Thursday until December 23.
Fines for breaching mask-wearing or social gathering rules will be increased to HK$5,000 ($645) from Friday, she said.
Authorities fought the spread of Hong Kong's initial outbreak at the start of the year by shutting schools and restricting travel across the city's border with mainland China, where the virus was first detected.
The territory endured two more Covid-19 infection spikes over the spring and summer, prompting tighter quarantine protocols and economically painful social distancing rules for restaurants and other businesses.
Last week Hong Kong reimposed some of their strictest social distancing measures since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions on public gatherings were tightened with a maximum of two people allowed to meet, down from four. 
Authorities have also launched a hotline for residents to report social distancing breaches.

Schools, bars and nightclubs have already been ordered to close

Hong Kong will ban evening dining in restaurants and close beauty and massage parlours in a bid to stem a fourth wave of coronavirus infections

Hong Kong to impose new virus restrictions to battle fourth wave

Embattled low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle, which recently filed for bankruptcy protection in Ireland, said Tuesday it had launched a similar process in Norway.
Burdened with massive debt after an ambitious expansion programme and suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic that has paralysed global air traffic, Europe's third-biggest no-frills airline is now fighting for its survival.
An Irish court on Monday allowed Norwegian to put itself and several Irish subsidiaries -- which manage its fleet and some of its routes in Europe -- under "examinership", the equivalent of the US procedure known as Chapter 11, to shield itself from creditors.
-A supplementary reconstruction process under Norwegian law will be to the benefit of all parties and will increase the likelihood of a successful result- Norwegian chief executive Jacob Schram said in a statement.
-Our aim is to secure jobs in the company and to contribute to securing critical infrastructure and value creation in Norway- he added.
Pending a worldwide roll-out of Covid vaccines that could enable air traffic to return to normal, Norwegian last week presented a rescue plan that included slashing its fleet, debt conversion and a rights issue of up to four billion kroner ($453 million, 374.5 million euros).
Shareholders are due to vote on the plan at an extraordinary general meeting on December 17.
The company, a pioneer in the low-cost long haul sector, has been in the red since 2017 and its debt amounted to 48.5 billion kroner at the end of September.
Just six of the 140 aircraft it had in service at the start of the year are still flying, on Norwegian domestic routes, while only 600 employees among a formerly 10,000-strong payroll are still at work.

Europe's third-biggest no-frills airline is now fighting for its survival

Just six of the 140 aircraft Norwegian was operating at the start of 2020 are still flying

Norwegian Air to seek bankruptcy protection in Norway

The statement of Sebija Izetbegović, director of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo (KCUS), that this institution did not and will not procure "ramdesivir", a drug used to treat patients with coronavirus, provoked violent reactions in the public.
&nbsp;Namely, "Remdesivir" is sold in several private pharmacies in BiH.&nbsp;

One therapy with this drug, which involves taking six ampoules, costs about 5,500 marks.

The case of the sale of "remdesivir" in B&amp;H is disputable due to the fact that the director Izetbegović demanded the urgent delivery of this medicine, and then gave up the procurement. Namely, in September, KCUS announced a tender for the procurement of the drug "remdesivir".
According to the documentation for the public procurement of "remdesivir", it is evident that KCUS requested the procurement of this drug in the value of 257,000 KM, which is a sufficient amount for the therapy of about fifty patients. However, after the Federal Ministry of Health gave consent to the company "Farmis" for the emergency procurement of this medicine, director Izetbegović abruptly gave up its purchase.

- "Remdesivir" will not be procured for KCUS, regardless of the fact that the auction procedure had to be legally brought to an end - said Izetbegović.
However, the medicine was still imported to B&amp;H, through the company "Farmis", which found itself in trouble due to KCUS's withdrawal from procurement. As we find out, the company "Farmis" (which is not owned by B&amp;H) did not have any earnings from the purchase of "remdesivir". It was explained to us that it was exclusively a humanitarian procurement in order for the medicine, which is successfully used all over the world, to reach Bosnia and Herzegovina patients.
- There was an option for "Farmis" to simply throw the medicine in the trash because there was no possibility of return, since this is a very difficult situation in the world. Another option was to put the drug on sale in pharmacies so that patients could, at least in some way, get the drug they refused from KCUS - our source told us.
The question is what is the real reason why director Izetbegović suddenly gave up on this procurement. It is even speculated that patients will not get this medicine for free or at a much lower price, because no one could fit into this business, like in the one with the purchase of a respirators, because the supplier practically worked without commission.
Although Izetbegović justifies herself by saying that the medicine is useless, a respected infectologist, Dr. Ednan Drljević from the General Hospital "Prim. dr. Abdullah Nakaš“ claims that remdesivir is very effective in treating coronavirus, and that it is the only drug we currently have available.

- If this medicine is procured by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of B&amp;H, the Federation or Sarajevo Canton, we will be happy to determine the criteria and give it to our patients. We will do that as long as it is recommended by the most developed and best-organized countries in the world - Dr. Drljević pointed out.&nbsp;

The consequence of the fact that KCUS made a request to "Farmis" to purchase "remdesivir", but did not buy it, is that doctors now often prescribe it to patients hospitalized at KCUS, who must buy it in one of the private pharmacies if they have 5,500 KM.
Also, it is known that KCUS received most money from the budget during the pandemic and millions of marks are in question. At the same time, many warn that director Izetbegović, with her well-known "management", that is saving over the backs of patients, often the most difficult ones, maintains a monopoly over the lives of patients.

In Serbia and Montenegro, they are very transparent when it comes to "remdesivir", so the officials there regularly inform the public about how much of this medicine they bought with money from the budget. Thus, for patients in these countries, this medicine is provided free of charge, and in these countries "remdesivir" cannot be bought in pharmacies, but is allocated by the competent state funds to hospital institutions.

Why the director of KCUS gave up on the import of "remdesivir"

"Remdesivir" is used for treating patients with coronavirus

Sebija's new hunt for a monopoly on patients lives

In recent years, citizens of neighboring countries in B&amp;H have bought consumer goods worth millions, mainly in supermarkets and shopping malls along the border.
Everything was bought, from food products, to construction materials and furniture. The reason is lower prices, but also a VAT refund, which means big savings for customers.

However, the corona significantly affected cross-border shopping due to border closures. How much the closed borders were a blow to the economy is best shown by the figures.
- The total number of requests for VAT refunds in 11 months of 2020 was 218,395. The total value of goods purchased in B&amp;H and exported outside the customs territory of B&amp;H amounted to 63,961,034 KM, while VAT was 9,293,483 KM. The citizens of Croatia and Serbia asked for the most refunds - Ratko Kovačević, spokesman of the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of B&amp;H, explained for "Avaz".

This year, this situation is not surprising because the citizens of Croatia and Serbia, given the closed borders, were practically the only ones who could come to buy. He added that, compared to the previous year in which there was no emergency situation caused by the pandemic, it can be seen that the total number of requests for VAT refunds to foreign citizens was significantly higher, in total in 11 months of 2019 there were 438,718 requests.
- The total value of goods that were then purchased in B&amp;H and taken out of the customs territory of B&amp;H amounted to 135,894,609 KM, while the required VAT refund was 19,745,370 KM - Kovačević pointed out.

The fact that 218,395 requests were submitted in 11 months of this year, almost the same as in the first half of last year, speaks what are the losses.
- In the first half of last year, 192,459 requests for VAT refund were submitted, and the value of the purchased goods amounted to 60.43 million KM. So, in the first six months of last year, foreigners bought goods worth 60.43 million KM, and in the first 11 months of this year, 63 million KM, even three millions less. The value of goods bought and taken out of B&amp;H by foreign citizens in this period is 135.8 million KM - it was explained.
So, the losses are higher than 70 million KM.

To this amount should be added the money spent on cigarettes, alcohol and fuel, which are not subject to tax refund, as well as on goods purchased in the markets where they do not issue fiscal invoices. With these products, losses in trade increase by tens of millions of KM.

The total value of goods purchased in B&H and exported outside the customs territory of B&H amounted to 63,961,034 KM, says Kovačević

Everything was bought, from food products, to construction materials and furniture

Foreigners took out of B&H 70 million KM worth less goods

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 437 cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed in the last 24 hours, while 60 people died. 
In the last 24 hours, 1,311 samples were reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 351 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
New cases have been registered in all cantons / counties in the Federation of B&amp;H.
So far, a total of 292,684 samples have been tested, and coronavirus has been confirmed in 61,031 cases.
As of today, 41,267 patients have been cured in the Federation of B&amp;H, and in the past 24 hours, 619 patients recovered. Currently, 18,058 cases are active.
In the past 24 hours, 39 new deaths were reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H.
As of today, the total number of deaths in the Federation of B&amp;H is 1,706.
One newly infected person was registered in the Brčko District, but, unfortunately, five people died.
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 and the Hospital Sv. Vračevi in Bijeljina tested 392 laboratory samples, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in 85 people.
From newly confirmed cases, 46 of them are males and 39 females, of which 16 are younger, 48 middle-aged and 21 older.
In the last 24 hours, 16 deaths were reported to the Republika Srpska Institute of Public Health, in which the presence of a new coronavirus was confirmed. These are 12 men and four women, middle-aged and older, of which seven are from Banja Luka, three from Zvornik, two from Doboj and one each from Prijedor, Prnjavor, Petrovac and Bijeljina.
So far, 31,854 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Republika of Srpska, and a total of 1,212 people have died who tested positive for coronavirus.

One newly infected person was registered in the Brčko District, but, unfortunately, five people died

In B&H, 60 people died, while 437 are newly infected

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he believes that he would have the opportunity to meet with US President-elect Joe Biden in the first half of next year.
Vučić told RTS that he has better personal relations with Biden than with the outgoing President Donald Trump, but he also reiterated his position that it would have been easier for Serbia if the previous administration had remained. Speaking about the fate of the agreement on the normalization of economic relations between Belgrade and Priština, which was signed in the presence of Trump at the beginning of September, Vučić emphasized that Serbia respects its word and signature.
Former ambassador of Serbia to the USA, Đerđ Matković, stated that it is extremely important that the bilateral meeting between Vučić and Biden will be held in the first months of the work of the new American administration.
- One of the main topics will be the Washington Agreement and the President has clearly said that Serbia will respect its word and its signature, regardless of the change in the White House - our interlocutor emphasizes.

Vučić said that he has better personal relations with Biden than with the outgoing President Donald Trump

Conversation between Vučić and Biden in the next six months

The President of the United States at the beginning of his term has meeting with Vučić

Europe has given the Western Balkans the prospect of membership in the European Union. The continuation of the partnership between the European Union and the United States and close cooperation in this region is essential, especially in terms of facilitating the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, according to the latest Brussels document proposing ways of transatlantic cooperation to the new US administration.

European Union leaders have made proposals to US President-elect Joe Biden on priorities and ways to cooperate, including this region, emphasizing joint action.
"We must work together to support reconciliation, improve governance and push for key reforms," the Brussels proposal said.
Our shared commitment, they said, is key in a world where authoritarian forces seek to overthrow democracies, aggressive actors try to destabilize regions and institutions, and closed economies exploit the openness on which our societies depend, the report said. With regard to the Western Balkans, the EU reiterates that the emphasis should be on strengthening relations between Belgrade and Priština.
However, signals from the Biden administration suggest that engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be strengthened. The response of the newly elected American president is still awaited, but what is clear is that, despite the proposal of Brussels, which does not bring anything that has not already been seen, there will be a change in the role of the international community.

Political analyst Reuf Bajrović believes that EU-US relations depend largely on the issue of Chinese 5G technology and Russia's Nord Stream 2 project.
- The proposed agenda is the first step in the negotiations on obviously uncoordinated interests. The Balkans is one such issue - Bajrović said for "Dnevni Avaz".

He concluded that the first move of Biden's government regarding B&amp;H would be to strengthen the OHR in the context of the Bonn powers. Regarding the relationship between the USA and the EU, he states that the role of Germany is extremely important here.
"Germany will obviously have to make some concessions in the Balkans to the United States and tighten relations with Russia, which has so far supported Germany," he added.

As we have learned, the Biden administration will certainly respect the will of Brussels to act jointly and in a coordinated manner in the Balkans, but the question is who will have the leading role in that. It is already known that all leading international initiatives after Dayton in B&amp;H were joint and coordinated with the European Union.
Brussels, which has been trying to influence the Balkans through soft diplomacy and membership conditions for years, will now be joined by a robust American political agenda, which could be a crucial step towards the final stabilization and Europeanization of the Balkans.

"Avaz" finds out:  Brussels sent a proposal to the newly elected leader of the USA

The EU is asking Biden to work together in the Balkans

Pope Francis will make a historic visit to Iraq in March, the Vatican said Monday, the first ever by a pontiff and which will include a trip to Mosul.
The 83-year-old has long spoken of his desire to visit the Middle Eastern country, although the Vatican said the programme would "take into consideration the evolution of the worldwide health emergency".
Francis will be the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Iraq, where the number of Christians has dropped dramatically over the past two decades.
-He will visit Baghdad, the plain of Ur... the city of Erbil, as well as Mosul and Qaraqosh in the plain of Nineveh- spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement, during a trip planned from March 5 to 8, 2021.
There were more than one million Christians in Iraq but just a few hundred thousand are left following sectarian warfare after the 2003 US-led invasion and the Islamic State group's sweep through a third of the country in 2014.
The pope's visit to Mosul will be particularly significant, given that it was a former stronghold of the Islamic State group.
Francis was forced to cancel all foreign trips in June after it became clear that coronavirus, which hit Italy in early March, would make travel for the elderly pontiff too dangerous.
He said last year that Iraq was on his list for 2020 trips.
At the time he said he hoped Iraq could "face the future through the peaceful and shared pursuit of the common good on the part of all elements of society, including the religious, and not fall back into hostilities sparked by the simmering conflicts of the regional powers.".
-The pope's visit will come as the realisation of a dream of his predecessor, Pope St. John Paul II- the Vatican's news portal said.
-The Polish pope had planned to travel to Iraq at the end of 1999, but was prevented by Saddam Hussein- it added.
The Iraqi government welcomed news of Francis' visit, with the foreign ministry saying: "It symbolises a message of peace to Iraq and the whole region."
President Barham Saleh officially invited the pope to visit Iraq in July 2019, hoping it would help the country "heal" after years of strife.

Francis will be the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to visit Iraq

Trip is planned from March 5th to 8th, 2021.

Pope plans historic Iraq trip in March

Seven workers at a Pakistan hospital who left scores of Covid-19 patients without sufficient oxygen for hours have been suspended after several of their charges died, authorities said.
Five patients in the Covid isolation ward and one in the intensive care unit at the government-run hospital in Peshawar died due to the delay in sourcing oxygen, a preliminary report said late Sunday. 
The chronic oxygen deficiency "went unnoticed, unsupervised and unchecked," the report said, adding that no backup oxygen supply had been put in place.
The hospital director was among those suspended with immediate effect. 
Taimur Saleem Jhagra, a provincial health minister, told AFP that authorities will hold a second detailed inquiry over the next five days.
-The hospital was low on oxygen from around 8pm in the evening, how come they couldn't manage to solve the issue until after 12pm?- Jhagra said.
-Some of the staff were off, some were absent and there wasn't any alternate arrangements, even the emergency squad was not available- he added.
Hospital spokesman Farhad Khan told AFP Sunday a disruption in oxygen supplies affected some 200 people, including nearly 100 with coronavirus.&nbsp;
Pakistan has reported more than 400,000 cases of coronavirus -- including over 8,000 deaths -- since it arrived in late February.&nbsp; 
Intensive care units in hospitals across the country are now almost full, with provincial governments struggling to deal with the soaring caseload.

The hospital director was among those suspended with immediate effect

Pakistan is struggling with a second wave of the virus

Pakistan suspends staff after oxygen shortage kills Covid patients

The UN children's agency Monday appealed for $2.5 billion in new funds for 39 million children in the Middle East and North Africa impacted by war, poverty and the coronavirus pandemic.
-The region is home to the highest number of children in need in the world- said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
-This is largely due to man-made crises including armed conflicts, poverty and economic stagnation-.
He said the latest appeal "aims to reach children with critical humanitarian assistance and continue responding to the massive needs emerging as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic".
Children are most in need in war-torn Yemen, in and outside conflict-wracked Syria, and in Sudan, UNICEF said in a statement.
In Yemen, 12 million children, or almost every child, need assistance after five years of conflict, it said.
In Syria, 4.8 million children need aid after a civil war has killed more than 380,000 people, displaced millions and ravaged the economy. 
A further 2.5 million live as refugees in neighbouring countries after their parents fled the almost ten-year conflict.
In Sudan, 5.3 million children need aid because of unprecedented floods, an economic crisis and a sweeping political transition from autocratic rule toward democracy.
In Lebanon, 1.9 million children now rely on assistance as the economy has plummeted and following a massive explosion in Beirut that killed more than 200 people and ravaged large parts of the capital in August.
Most funds requested in UNICEF's appeal would go towards supporting children's education, while the rest would ensure access to water, sanitation, healthcare and nutrition, and mental health support, it said.
-We hear of fatigue to fund long-term crises like in Yemen and Syria- Chaiban said.
But he stressed that "the world cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of children impacted by two of the most horrific conflicts in recent history".

Children are most in need in war-torn Yemen, in and outside conflict-wracked Syria, and in Sudan

The latest appeal "aims to reach children with critical humanitarian assistance and continue responding to the massive needs emerging as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic"

UNICEF seeks $2.5 bn for Mideast children as virus deepens poverty

Southern California went into a strict lockdown Monday, with more than 20 million people under stay-at-home orders triggered after hospitals faced being overwhelmed by record Covid-19 cases.
Governor Gavin Newsom last week announced new statewide bans on gatherings and "non-essential" activities would come into effect once 85 percent of intensive care unit beds have been filled.
Under the lockdown, most offices will close and gatherings of people from different households are banned. Bars and personal services such as hair salons will be temporarily closed, and restaurants will only be allowed to offer take-out and delivery.
-We are at a tipping point in our fight against the virus and we need to take decisive action now to prevent California's hospital system from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks- Newsom said. 
By implementing stay-at-home orders when ICU capacity falls below 15 percent, "we can flatten the curve as we've done before and reduce stress on our health care system."
California's Department of Public Health said on Sunday that ICU capacity in Southern California and San Joaquin Valley had fallen below 15 percent.
-The regional stay at home order will take effect in those two regions tonight at 11:59 pm and will remain in effect for at least three weeks- it said.
California is experiencing record new cases of Covid-19 in a third wave of the virus, with two days last week in which 113 deaths were recorded, up from around 14 daily fatalities in early November.
Non-essential travel is also temporarily restricted statewide and hotels will no longer be allowed to cater to tourists.
Offices must close, except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
Shops will be limited at 20 percent capacity, while only schools with waivers will be allowed to remain open.
California, the most populous US state, has seen more than 1.3 million cases and nearly 20,000 deaths. It recorded 30,075 new infections on Saturday.
Newsom said there would be new grants and tax relief to help small business owners who have been hard-hit.
The measures follow similar bans on gatherings that went into place this week in densely populated and badly hit Los Angeles County.
They extend upon a near-statewide nighttime curfew introduced last month.
But the new, stricter measures still fall short of California's first lockdown in March, which saw most outdoor activities including beach access and hiking banned.
In northern California, San Francisco has also implemented a stay at home order, which went into effect Sunday night due to a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
-Within weeks we may not be able to care for people at our hospitals if we don't take action NOW- the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management tweeted as it announced the lockdown.

Most offices will close and gatherings of people from different households are banned

California governor Gavin Newsom said the state was at a 'tipping point in the our fight against the virus'

Southern California goes into virus lockdown

Indonesia has received 1.2 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine made by China's Sinovac, officials said, as the world's fourth most populous nation struggles to get soaring case rates under control.
The doses arrived in Jakarta late Sunday on a flight from Beijing, with another 1.8 million expected to be sent again next month.
Although Chinese regulators have yet to clear any of country's vaccines for mass distribution, they have approved some advanced candidates for emergency use. 
On Monday, Indonesia's Covid-19 response team chief Airlangga Hartarto said the first batch of doses will be examined by the food and drug agency, with plans to distribute them to medical workers and other high-risk groups.
The country's top Muslim clerical body, the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI), will also check the first consignment, officials said -- to ensure it meets halal requirements in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. 
Late Sunday, President Joko Widodo welcomed the delivery.
-We are grateful that the vaccine is now available and we can immediately prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak- he said.
-(But) I have to reiterate, first, that all procedures must be followed properly to ensure public health and safety, and the efficacy of the vaccine- he added.
In August, Indonesia launched human trials of the Sinovac-made jab, with around 1,600 volunteers taking part in the six-month study.
The Indonesian government has paid some 637 billion rupiah ($45 million) for the three million Sinovac doses. Another 100,000 more are set to be delivered by another Chinese firm, CanSino.
China has promised to make its vaccines available as a "global public good" as it seeks to counter global criticism for its early handling of the pandemic.
-We expect that multilateral vaccines [from other countries] will also start to arrive gradually in 2021- Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Monday.
Indonesia has been in talks with other pharmaceutical firms, including UK-based AstraZeneca.
The country is one of the Asian nations worst hit by the pandemic, with Covid-19 infections topping 575,000, and more than 17,000 deaths. 
However, the true scale of the crisis is widely believed to be much bigger, as the country has one of the world's lowest testing rates.

The doses arrived in Jakarta late Sunday on a flight from Beijing

The Indonesian Presidential Palace released pictures of the 1.2 million CoronaVac doses arriving in Jakarta

Indonesia receives over a million Chinese Covid-19 vaccine doses

Last month was the hottest November on record as Europe basked in its highest Autumn temperatures in history, the European Union's satellite monitoring service said Monday. 
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) analysis of surface and air temperatures found that November 2020 was 0.8C warmer than the 30-year average of 1981-2010 -- more than 0.1C hotter than the previous record.
For boreal autumn (September-November) temperatures in Europe were 1.9C above the standard reference period, 0.4C higher than the average temperature in 2006, which was the previous warmest.
-These records are consistent with the long-term warming trend of the global climate- said C3S director Carlo Buontempo. 
-All policy-makers who prioritise mitigating climate risks should see these records as alarm bells and consider more seriously than ever how to best comply with the international commitments set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement-.

The landmark deal, which turns five this month, enjoins nations to limit temperature rises to "well-below" 2C (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;
Last week the World Meteorological Organization said 2020 was on course to be among the three hottest years ever recorded.&nbsp;
C3S said that with just one month left to go, 2020 is on par to match 2016, the current record holder.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With just over 1C of warming so far, Earth is already dealing with the devastation caused by more frequent and stronger extreme weather events such as wildfires and tropical storms.&nbsp;Satellite images analysed by C3S also showed that Arctic sea ice extent was the second lowest for November in the database, which began in 1979.

The largest negative sea ice concentration anomalies were in the Kara Sea, while there was below average cover in the eastern Canadian archipelago and Baffin Bay.&nbsp;
-This trend is concerning and highlights the importance of comprehensive monitoring of the Arctic, as it is warming faster than the rest of the world- said Buontempo.

Temperatures were substantially higher than normal across the Arctic and much of Siberia last month, and higher than average across the United States, South America, southern Africa, eastern Antarctica and most of Australia, C3S said.&nbsp;
The five hottest years in history have all come since 2015.

The five hottest years in history have all come since 2015.

With just over 1C of warming so far, Earth is already dealing with the devastation caused by more frequent and stronger extreme weather events such as wildfires

Last month the hottest November on record: EU

On the occasion of the interview that the president of the SDA, Bakir Izetbegović, gave to Sarajevo's Oslobođenje, the president of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, reacted on his Facebook profile. His comment is transmitted below.In an interview for "Oslobodjenje", Bakir Izetbegović, according to the used-up matrix, sees an additional problem for his current situation in Fahrudin Radončić, who is "again in a destructive phase".If the destructive phase is that I treated illegal and unidentified migrants as a first-class security issue for B&amp;H and Bosniaks, and not as "sexy topic and a tourist opportunity", then I am in the destructive phase.The same applies to the criticism of thefts in the middle of the pandemic, the "Respirators" affair or the well-known criticism of Prime Minister Fadil Novalić that the FB&amp;H in whole Europe systemically responded worst to mitigating economic damage due to a pandemic.In addition, the fact that I politically prevented Ms. Izetbegović from putting a padlock on the General Hospital “Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš ”and that this hospital, contrary to her wishes, successfully opened its doors to patients and became Covid Hospital is also probably my very&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “destructive phase ”.Because, in this way, the first lady was deprived of the self-conceived role of the owner of life and death in the Sarajevo Canton.I did not support the dismissal of the editor-in-chief of TVSA, Duška Jurišić, because it was too clear that she was displaced from party-nationalist positions.The same applies to public criticism of Osman Mehmedagić Osmica, whose abuse of the state security agency is taking on unprecedented destructive proportions and is now, after all, part of the regular trial. It is similar with my long-term remarks that the state is anachronistically governed by a family-bey, and not a democratic way of governing. I am certainly in the "destructive phase" because our deputies in the Tuzla Canton Assembly signed a request for the removal of the local government, and a similar thing will happen in Zeničko-dobojski Canton.This means that Izetbegović will soon be left without the three most important cantonal governments and their prime ministers.With the well-known current "rebel" problems within the SDA and my refusal to fight Izetbegović's opponents for the rest of our lives in the form of Aljoša Čampara or Denis Zvizdić, based on other people's tumbles, Bakir's constant expulsion and satanization of dissidents from the SDA, the general state of society for which he is the most responsible,a non-state attempt to persistently manipulate and abuse any coalition aid (regardless of whether it was SDP, SBiH or SBB, BPS ...), to destroy those parties,the inadmissible self-isolation of Bosniak politics, etc., clearly shows who has been in the destructive phase for decades.Even these days, the true face of those who in the end always spat into the outstretched hand of all those - from the SDA or other parties - who want to build a better and more successful B&amp;H according to all its citizens is really revealed.

<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/FahrudinRadoncic/posts/5052219774788933" data-show-text="true" data-width=""><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/FahrudinRadoncic/posts/5052219774788933" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">STOJIŠ IZA SEBIJE, OSMICE, FADILA I BEGOVSKOG UPRAVLJANJA, A TVRDIŠ DA SAM JA U RUŠILAČKOJ FAZI? U intervjuu...Objavljuje <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FahrudinRadoncic/">Fahrudin Radončić</a> u <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FahrudinRadoncic/posts/5052219774788933">Subota, 5. prosinca 2020.</a></blockquote></div>

Radončić told Izetbegović to stand behind Sebija, Osmica, Novalić and the family-beg management family-bey management of the society, and accuses him of being in a "destructive phase"

Radončić ironically replied to Izetbegović: I am in a "destructive phase"

Speaking about his political plans for the future, Šefik Džaferović confirmed that he will not be a candidate for a member of the Presidency of B&amp;H again in the 2022. elections and that he will leave the candidacy to SDA President Bakir Izetbegović.
Let us remind you that a few months ago, Izetbegović already announced such a scenario, saying, without hesitation, that he would be a candidate again. Such statements are problematic for three reasons. The first one is that Džaferović degrades himself personally with such a statement, letting us know that he is obviously not considered the most competent and capable person to lead the supreme institution in B&amp;H (and he is probably right about that), so he is ready to leave the place without thinking to the party boss.
The second one is that it is revealed to us that the SDA is even today an autocratic party in which key decisions are made at will of its president, while party institutions and procedures exist only for the sake of form. And the third, most problematic thing is that, apart from himself, Džaferović directly degrades the state of B&amp;H and its institutions with such statements.
Of course, it is no secret that Džaferović was nominated for the presidency as a person loyal to Izetbegović and that he was sent to that position to "reserve" the chair for party president, until, due to the laws of our country, his candidacy is allowed again after a four-year break. However, the very way in which the SDA and its leadership treat the highest state function and the institutions of this state in general is shameful.
The Presidency of B&amp;H, Izetbegović and Džaferović clearly let us know, that in their eyes is only a resource in the hands of the party, and the real power is not the one who manages the highest state institution, as is the practice in all serious and democratic countries, but the one who manages the party. In other words, the party is superior to the state.

It is high time to put an end to this partocratic highhandedness and party kidnapping of the state and democracy. We deserve to exercise our rights, protection and obligations through institutions, not parties.

For SDA, the state and its institutions are obviously just an extended arm of personal and party interests

Džaferović: Resource in the hands of the party

Bakir's ficus in the Presidency

Following the publication „Fixing Dayton: A New Deal for Bosnia and Herzegovina“ published by the prestigious American "Wilson" Center, the newly elected US President Joe Biden will definitely try to improve the situation in B&amp;H.
This was said in an exclusive interview for "Dnevni Avaz" by a prominent associate of the Austrian "Marshall Plan Foundation" and the director of the global program for Europe at the "Wilson" center, Daniel Hamilton.

Hamilton is one of the most prominent experts in the United States for Europe, transatlantic relations and American foreign policy. He regularly testifies before the US Senate and Congress and various European parliaments, he is an award-winning author of a number of publications and a former high-ranking US diplomat.
- However, there is no guarantee that Biden will listen to what we wrote in our publication "Fixing Dayton: A New Deal for Bosnia and Herzegovina ". In my opinion, there will be interest in cooperating with the European Union and the citizens of B&amp;H to improve the situation in and around the country. We offer a number of suggestions on how this can be done - Hamilton explained.
Speaking about the biggest problem with which B&amp;H is facing, Hamilton says they are ethno-nationalist politicians.
- So, politicians and kleptocratic elites skillfully manipulate the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement, all in order to plunder the country. That is not their only goal, robbery is the primary one, but there is also the politicization of the judiciary and weakening of state institutions in order to maintain their privileged positions - Hamilton emphasized.
However, he points out that sustainable reform is possible, but only if it is based on a consensus for change among the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- There are numerous ideas for reforming B&amp;H. In our report, we describe a number of opportunities we have heard from citizens. The role of the USA and the EU can only be to provide support and create space for this reform process, which must ultimately be initiated by the citizens themselves - said Hamilton.
He added that the situation in B&amp;H is currently deteriorating, with more and more space being given to malicious influences that are trying to destabilize the country in every possible way.
- I do not necessarily predict a sudden start of a new war, but it is evident that the situation in B&amp;H will be worse, which destroys the prospects of B&amp;H for integration, and thus the entire region. B&amp;H is vital to the entire Western Balkans. Therefore, the success of the reform in B&amp;H will have a positive effect in the entire region, as well as the failure, which will probably make things worse not only for the citizens of B&amp;H but also in the entire region - Hamilton concluded.

In his rich political career, Daniel Hamilton has held several senior positions in the State Department, including the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, which is responsible for NATO, the OSCE and issues of transatlantic security and Balkan affairs. He was also the special American coordinator for the stabilization of Southeast Europe, the assistant director for policy planning in the mandate of two American secretaries of state, as well as the director for policy in the Bureau for European Affairs.

Prominent American expert for Europe Daniel Hamilton

The newly elected president of the USA will definitely try to improve the situation in B&H

Hong Kong to impose new virus restrictions to battle fourth wave

Norwegian Air to seek bankruptcy protection in Norway

Sebija's new hunt for a monopoly on patients lives

Foreigners took out of B&H 70 million KM worth less goods

In B&H, 60 people died, while 437 are newly infected

The President of the United States at the beginning of his term has meeting with Vučić

The EU is asking Biden to work together in the Balkans

Pope plans historic Iraq trip in March

Pakistan suspends staff after oxygen shortage kills Covid patients

UNICEF seeks $2.5 bn for Mideast children as virus deepens poverty

Southern California goes into virus lockdown

Indonesia receives over a million Chinese Covid-19 vaccine doses

Last month the hottest November on record: EU

Radončić ironically replied to Izetbegović: I am in a "destructive phase"

Bakir's ficus in the Presidency

The problem of B&H are politicians and kleptocratic elites

News

Hong Kong to impose new virus restrictions to battle fourth wave

Norwegian Air to seek bankruptcy protection in Norway

Sebija's new hunt for a monopoly on patients lives

Foreigners took out of B&H 70 million KM worth less goods

In B&H, 60 people died, while 437 are newly infected

The President of the United States at the beginning of his term has meeting with Vučić

The EU is asking Biden to work together in the Balkans

Pope plans historic Iraq trip in March

Pakistan suspends staff after oxygen shortage kills Covid patients

UNICEF seeks $2.5 bn for Mideast children as virus deepens poverty

Southern California goes into virus lockdown

Indonesia receives over a million Chinese Covid-19 vaccine doses

Last month the hottest November on record: EU

Radončić ironically replied to Izetbegović: I am in a "destructive phase"

Bakir's ficus in the Presidency

The problem of B&H are politicians and kleptocratic elites