The handover of the post of Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo between the current commander, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad and the incoming Brigadier General Pamela L. McGaha, took place today in Sarajevo.

<h2>Eric Folkestad had done an impeccable job </h2>

The Allied Force Commander in Naples, Admiral Robert Burke said they have gathered today for the 17th handover of the post of the NATO HQ Sarajevo, a tangible expression of the Alliance's continued commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's defense and security sector reforms.

He said that the current commander of the NATO headquarters, Eric Folkestad, had done an impeccable job during his tenure and that he is leaving Sarajevo after strengthening NATO's relations with B&amp;H institutions, improving close cooperation with the European Union and helped the people of B&amp;H get closer to their aspirations for full integration into Europe.
He also welcomed Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, who is coming to Sarajevo from the post of Commanding General of the 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Orlando, Florida, expressing hope that she will continue to build on great successes while continuing NATO's commitment to peace, security and prosperity.

Brigadier General Eric Folkestad said that the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo witnessed many successes of the B&amp;H Armed Forces and that they were pleased to support key NATO Partnership for Peace programs in the interest of lasting security and prosperity for all citizens.

- In the end, I will tell the team of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo that you are an example worthy of respect when it comes to trust, integrity and honorable service and that it was a real honor and the greatest privilege to serve with you. The time has come to hand over this mission to the next NATO commander who will lead this expert team and continue to build the future on solid foundations of the past 26 years of peace - he said.
Brigadier General McGaha thanked the numerous ambassadors, civilian leaders and members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces for their trust, especially the team at the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo.
- There is no doubt that the changes that our partners have achieved in the past year will have a huge and positive impact on the quality of life, not only of dedicated members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces and their families, but also of their wider communities - she said.

Brigadier General Eric Folkestad said that the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo witnessed many successes of the B&H Armed Forces

Pamela L. McGaha takes over the command of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zoran Tegeltija spoke today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy of the US President Joe Biden for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar on the current political and economic situation in B&amp;H and the region.

Tegeltija emphasized the commitment of the institutions in B&amp;H to the European path, with full respect for the constitutional competencies of all levels of government and respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement.
He pointed out the need for internal dialogue and agreement between political representatives in B&amp;H, and stressed that revoking the imposed decision of the former High Representative would create a precondition for the normal functioning of all institutions, emphasizing that threats or sanctions do not contribute to resolving the current situation in B&amp;H.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the Ambassador of the United States of America to B&amp;H Eric Nelson, the interlocutors exchanged views on other current topics, the Council of Ministers of B&amp;H announced.

Tegeltija emphasized the commitment of the institutions in B&H to the European path, with full respect for the constitutional competencies of all levels of government and respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement

Tegeltija and Escobar on the current political situation in B&H

The Collegium of the National Assembly of the entity of Republic of Srpska (RSNA) scheduled the 24th special session for Friday, December 10, it was announced from the assembly.

Earlier, at the session held on November 12, the collegium adopted the proposal of the agenda of the special session with five items.
The proposed agenda of the 24th special session includes "Information on the transfer of competencies from Republic of Srpska to the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with proposed conclusions", then "Information on the transfer of competencies in the field of indirect taxation, with proposed conclusions", "Information on judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with proposed conclusions ".
The proposed agenda also includes "Information on the transfer of competencies from Republic of Srpska to the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of defense and security, with proposed conclusions" as well as the "Declaration on Constitutional Principles".
The Collegium approved a longer time frame for the address a member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, and all leaders of parliamentary political parties based in Republic of Srpska were allowed to submit a request to address the special session.

Earlier, at the session held on November 12, the collegium adopted the proposal of the agenda of the special session with five items

A special session of RS National Assembly scheduled for Friday, December 10

Acting on the order of the prosecutor of the Special Department for War Crimes of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H, police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&amp;H arrested five persons suspected of war crimes.

The investigation refers to crimes against victims, Serb civilians from the area of Hrasnica, Butmir and Sokolović kolonija, who were illegally detained in the camp of the Elementary School "Aleksa Šantić" and imprisoned in one building in Hrasnica.
The accused are charged with the murder of at least eight captured civilians, and among the suspects are the direct perpetrators of the murders.
After examining the suspects, the acting prosecutor will make a decision on further activities in the case, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H announced.

The accused are charged with the murder of at least eight captured civilians, and among the suspects are the direct perpetrators of the murders

The investigation refers to crimes against victims, Serb civilians from the area of Hrasnica, Butmir and Sokolović kolonija

SIPA arrests five people for war crimes in Hrasnica

Austria's former Interior Minister Karl Nehammer was sworn in on Monday as the country's new chancellor.

A member of the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), Nehammer became the third chancellor in three months after a corruption scandal involving former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
With a cabinet reshuffle, new finance, education, interior, and foreign affairs ministers were also sworn in during the inauguration ceremony at the Hofburg Palace, the official residence of President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Speaking at the ceremony, Van der Bellen said the most important issue on the new government's agenda was the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the social and economic problems it has caused.
Pointing out the importance of data-driven decision making amid the pandemic, as well as dialogue and cooperation between the coalition partners, Van der Bellen underlined that trust in political institutions, which has been falling in recent weeks, can be re-established.
With Nehammer's official inauguration, the chancellor's seat changed hands for the third time in the last three months.
Known for his harsh stance towards Muslims in the country and his anti-immigration attitude, the former interior minister has drawn criticism from both the opposition and non-governmental organizations.
Meanwhile, Alexander Schallenberg, who was dismissed as chancellor, was reinstated as foreign minister.
After Kurz left politics last week, the ministers of finance and education also resigned. Then-Chancellor Schallenberg said he was also ready to hand over his post to the next chair of the OVP.
Kurz had to resign as chancellor on Oct. 9 following his involvement in a public investigation on graft, bribery, and breach of trust.

Former interior minister, Austrian People's Party (OVP) member Nehammer becomes 3rd chancellor of country in 3 months

Karl Nehammer sworn in as Austria's new chancellor

In the past 24 hours, a total of 1,512 samples were tested in Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which 267 were positive for Covid-19.

A total of 33 people died, 16 of them in the Federation of B&amp;H and 16 in the Republic of Srpska, and one in the Brčko District of B&amp;H. So far, 12,780 people have died in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a result of coronavirus infection.
In the past 24 hours, a total of 1,313 samples were registered with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 238 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
In the past 24 hours, 16 people died in the Federation of B&amp;H.
In Republic of Srpska, 140 laboratory samples were tested, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in 26 people.
Three new cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in the Brčko District of B&amp;H, and a total of 59 samples have been tested. One person died.

Three new cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in the Brčko District

In the past 24 hours, 16 people died in the Federation of B&H

B&H registers 267 new coronavirus cases and 33 fatalities

In the period January - October 2021, there were 808,268 tourist visits in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is 87.1 percent more and they had 1,914,453 overnight stays, which is 74.5 percent more than for the same period in 2020.

To compare the results achieved so far by the arrival and overnight stays, in the period January-October 2019, the year before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, tourists in Bosnia and Herzegovina had 1,448,086 visits and 2,987,903 overnight stays.
The number of overnight stays of domestic tourists in the first ten months of this year was higher by 36.5 percent, while the number of overnight stays of foreign tourists was higher by 131.9 percent compared to the same period in 2020.
In the total number of overnight stays, the share of domestic tourists was 47 percent, while 53 percent was the participation of foreign tourists.
In the structure of overnight stays of foreign tourists, most overnight stays were realized by tourists from Serbia (15.7 percent), the United Arab Emirates (13 percent), Croatia (9.5 percent), Saudi Arabia (8.4 percent), Germany (5.4) percent), Kuwait (4.1 percent), Turkey (3.8 percent) and Slovenia (3.5 percent), for a total of 63.5 percent. Tourists from other countries realized a total of 36.5 percent of overnight stays, stated the BiH Agency for Statistics.

The number of overnight stays of domestic tourists in the first ten months of this year was higher by 36.5 percent

In the total number of overnight stays, the share of domestic tourists was 47 percent, while 53 percent was the participation of foreign tourists

More than 800 thousand tourists in the first ten months in B&H

Four new multi-mission helicopters Bell Huey 2 whose purchase was jointly financed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States arrived on Saturday at the Sarajevo International Airport.

The helicopters were shipped from the US on the Antonov An-124 aircraft.
According to the US Embassy, the whole package includes tools, ground support equipment, two year warranty as well as training of the B&amp;H Armed Forces pilots and maintainers operating and performing maintenance on this type of aircraft.
- This will increases the readiness of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support civilian authorities to respond to emergencies and natural disasters, to include medical evacuation, firefighting, search and rescue, as well as other missions defined by legal framework - said the US Embassy.
A total package cost amounts to $38.5 million, of which the US financed USD 34.2 million and B&amp;H Ministry of Defence USD 4.3 million.
The official handover of the helicopters is planned after the test flights, in the presence of the media and high guests.
On that occasion, the Ministry of Defense informs the citizens that in the coming days, and as of today, they can expect increased helicopter activity in the zone of the capital of B&amp;H.

The helicopters were shipped from the US on the Antonov An-124 aircraft

A total package cost amounts to $38.5 million

Four Huey II helicopters for AF B&H arrive at Sarajevo Airport

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday started an official two-day Gulf tour that includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.

The French state-run news channel France 24 said that Macron arrived in Dubai before heading to Qatar late on Friday, adding that he is scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
It also said Macron will meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
France 24 quoted two unnamed sources as saying Paris will sign a number of agreements with Abu Dhabi, including a possible multi-billion dollar deal for purchasing 80 French Rafale warplanes.
The Dassault company -- the Rafale warplanes manufacturer -- confirmed in a statement that the UAE will acquire 80 Rafale F4 jet fighters.
Dassault said the UAE will be "the first user outside France" of the Rafale F4.
Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said there will be a signing of deals during Macron's visit to the UAE. He did not give details.
According to a report presented to the French parliament, the UAE was the fifth biggest customer of the French defense industry with €4.7 billion ($5.3 billion) between 2011-2020.
In 2019, Qatar received 36 Rafale fighter jets after signing a deal with Dassault in May 2015.
On Saudi Arabia's visit, France 24 cited the French Presidency as saying the Kingdom is a key player in the region and there was need to hold a deep dialogue.

UAE to purchase 80 French Rafale F4 warplanes

French president starts 2-day Gulf tour

Germany is likely to see a sharp rise in the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients in the next three weeks, acting Health Minister Jens Spahn warned on Friday.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Spahn said the recently agreed measures will show their impact only after a couple of weeks, while an upward trend in hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions still continues.
- The situation in intensive care units is likely to reach a tragic peak around Christmas - he said, adding that many hospitals in coronavirus hotspots are already overwhelmed and have run out of ICU beds.
He urged citizens to follow hygiene and social distancing rules and avoid unnecessary contact with others to stem the spread of the virus.
Many hospitals are currently operating in crisis mode and postponed non-critical operations, while several hospitals were also considering delaying surgeries for cancer and heart patients.
There were 4,797 seriously ill coronavirus patients in ICUs across the country on Friday, with 2,564 of them on ventilators, according to the DIVI association for emergency medicine.
The Robert Koch Institute, the country's disease control agency, confirmed 74,352 new infections and 390 coronavirus-related fatalities in the past 24 hours.
According to the institute, nearly 925,800 individuals are currently sick due to COVID-19, an alarming figure not seen in the previous three waves of the pandemic.
Dr. Lothar Wieler, the head of the institute, said the actual number of active cases might be two to three times higher than this figure, due to undetected or unreported cases.
Germany has seen a rapid increase in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, as people spend more time indoors during the colder months and a considerable segment of the population remains unvaccinated.
The German government’s goal has been to vaccinate at least 75% of the population to prevent an exponential rise in new cases during winter.
But as of Thursday, 57.2 million people, or 68.8% of the population, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Germany's overall vaccination rate lags behind many other EU members, including Portugal, Spain, Denmark, and Malta.

Nearly 925,000 individuals currently sick due to disease, but real number might be 2-3 times higher, top health expert says

Many hospitals are currently operating in crisis mode and postponed non-critical operations

Germany’s hospitals brace for COVID-19 peak at Christmas

A World Health Organization spokesman said Friday the health body has not seen reports of deaths related to the new omicron variant of coronavirus and stressed that delta remains the focus of the fight against the pandemic.

At a UN news conference, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told journalists that the health organization is still collecting evidence on the new variant that was tracked down in southern Africa on Nov. 11 and named as omicron about a week ago.
- We have not seen reports of omicron-related deaths yet - said Lindmeier.
- Let's also not forget that the predominant variant right now still remains the delta variant. Omicron may be on the rise, and we may come to a point where it takes over as the dominant variant.The WHO spokesman said the world needs to protect itself against the delta variant.
Since COVID-19 was first discovered nearly two years ago, the WHO has confirmed nearly 263 million cases and over 5.22 million fatalities globally.
- The more countries keep looking into and keep testing people and looking into specifically the omicron variant, we will also find more cases and more information, and hopefully not, but also possibly deaths - said Lindmeier.
After the omicron variant was tracked down in Botswana and South Africa, some countries in Europe and North American last week put severe travel restrictions on counties in the southern African region and even banned flights.
These measures drew top officials' condemnation at the UN, WHO, international travel bodies, and workers' associations.
- Instead of looking at closing borders, restrictions, and so on, it is much more preferable to prepare your country, your health system for possible incoming cases - said Lindmeier.
- We can be pretty sure that this omicron variant will spread. Delta also started somewhere. And now we have it as a predominant variant in over 90% of the world. -He said that due to the behavior of the omicron variant, "we will not be able, most likely, to keep it out of individual countries."

WHO spokesman says delta remains dominant strain globally although omicron will likely spread

WHO: We have not seen reports of omicron-related deaths yet

No deaths related to omicron variant of coronavirus seen so far, says WHO

After several days on the run, Petar Dukić (1980), suspected of international organized crime and illicit drug trafficking, surrendered to the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H in Sarajevo, after which the acting prosecutor ordered the suspect to be taken into custody. 

The Prosecutor from the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption, after questioning the suspect in the presence of his lawyer, will submit a motion to the Court of B&amp;H to order custody measures.
During the recent operation codenamed "Transporter", a large quantity of more than 300 kilograms of the narcotic drug skunk was found and seized in the premises used by the suspect.

The Prosecutor from the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption, after questioning the suspect in the presence of his lawyer, will submit a motion to the Court of B&H to order custody measures

Petar Dukić surrenders to B&H Prosecution

Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&amp;H Bisera Turković met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjártó, on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Stockholm.

The two officials talked about the strengthening of relations between the two countries, current developments in the region and B&amp;H, and upcoming visits by state officials.
Also, the Euro-Atlantic reform processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina were discussed, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&amp;H.
&nbsp;

The two officials talked about the strengthening of relations between the two countries

Turković speaks with Szijjártó on the sidelines of OSCE meeting

- Overcoming the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina is necessary to refocus the country on the serious socioeconomic challenges its citizens are facing, which cause hardships for all and drive the emigration of talented young people - High Representative Christian Schmidt said during talks in London with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Elizabeth Truss.

The High Representative told Foreign Secretary Truss that Britain’s longstanding support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement has been an indispensable element in maintaining peace and that UK engagement continues to play a significant role in the country’s economic recovery.
The High Representative proposed focusing on economic cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the need to help strengthen the participation in particular of the younger generation to overcome the old segregating narratives.
The High Representative expressed confidence that a reenergized and focused approach by the International Community will result in Bosnia and Herzegovina quickly becoming a "peaceful, viable state irreversibly on course for European integration."During his visit to London, the High Representative also held talks with Minister for Europe and Americas Wendy Morton, Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser David Quarrey, and Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey.
In addition, High Representative Schmidt met with members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina All-Party Parliamentary Group, whose objective is to strengthen relations and cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UK, stated the OHR.&nbsp;

The High Representative told Foreign Secretary Truss that Britain’s longstanding support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement has been an indispensable element in maintaining peace

Schmidt and Truss: The rights of citizens are paramount

The B&amp;H Court upheld the verdict convicting former reservist policeman Simo Stupar for involvement in illegally detaining, beating and killing Bosniaks in the Vlasenica area in 1992.

The appeals chamber of the B&amp;H state court on Thursday confirmed the verdict sentencing Simo Stupar, a former reservist policeman at the Public Safety Station in Vlasenica, to 12 years in prison for crimes against humanity, BIRN reports. 
The state court said it had "rejected as unfounded an appeal filed by the defendant’s defense lawyer".
The verdict was handed down in Stupar’s absence as he left Bosnia and Herzegovina in October this year and is currently a fugitive.
He was initially found guilty in May this year of participating in a widespread and systematic attack on the Bosniak population in the Vlasenica area from April 1992 to the end of September that year, as a member of the reservist police force of the Public Safety Station in Vlasenica.
The verdict said that Stupar took part in an assault on the village of Džamdžici in the Vlasenica area on May 18, 1992, when five people were killed and several houses were set on fire.&nbsp;He and three others also participated in the murder of a disabled civilian.The verdict found that Stupar further participated in the beating of a Bosniak civilian at the police station in Vlasenica in the first half of June 1992 and in the inhumane treatment of another man.
The second man was hit on his back with chains and ordered to get down on all fours, and Stupar and others carved a cross and a Serb symbol onto his back. They then poured salt on his wounds.
Stupar was also found guilty of having participated in the arrest of two men on July 10, 1992. After their arrest, the two men disappeared and their bodies were only found in 2007.
The defendant was originally tried alongside Zoran Tešić, who was acquitted of all charges.

The defendant was originally tried alongside Zoran Tešić, who was acquitted of all charges

B&H Court upholds crimes against humanity sentence for ex-policeman Simo Stupar

Police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) today arrested seven people in the area of Bijeljina and Sokolac due to suspicion that they committed war crime against civilians, in connection with criminal offenses "individual and command responsibility" and "complicity" from the Criminal Code of B&amp;H.

Persons deprived of their liberty will be handed over to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina for further criminal proceedings at the SIPA premises, the SIPA B&amp;H said.

Persons deprived of their liberty will be handed over to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina for further criminal proceedings

SIPA today arrested seven people in the area of Bijeljina and Sokolac

Pamela L. McGaha takes over the command of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

Tegeltija and Escobar on the current political situation in B&H

A special session of RS National Assembly scheduled for Friday, December 10

SIPA arrests five people for war crimes in Hrasnica

Karl Nehammer sworn in as Austria's new chancellor

B&H registers 267 new coronavirus cases and 33 fatalities

More than 800 thousand tourists in the first ten months in B&H

Four Huey II helicopters for AF B&H arrive at Sarajevo Airport

French president starts 2-day Gulf tour

Germany’s hospitals brace for COVID-19 peak at Christmas

No deaths related to omicron variant of coronavirus seen so far, says WHO

Petar Dukić surrenders to B&H Prosecution

Turković speaks with Szijjártó on the sidelines of OSCE meeting

Schmidt and Truss: The rights of citizens are paramount

B&H Court upholds crimes against humanity sentence for ex-policeman Simo Stupar

Seven persons arrested under suspicion of war crimes

News

Pamela L. McGaha takes over the command of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

Tegeltija and Escobar on the current political situation in B&H

A special session of RS National Assembly scheduled for Friday, December 10

SIPA arrests five people for war crimes in Hrasnica

Karl Nehammer sworn in as Austria's new chancellor

B&H registers 267 new coronavirus cases and 33 fatalities

More than 800 thousand tourists in the first ten months in B&H

Four Huey II helicopters for AF B&H arrive at Sarajevo Airport

French president starts 2-day Gulf tour

Germany’s hospitals brace for COVID-19 peak at Christmas

No deaths related to omicron variant of coronavirus seen so far, says WHO

Petar Dukić surrenders to B&H Prosecution

Turković speaks with Szijjártó on the sidelines of OSCE meeting

Schmidt and Truss: The rights of citizens are paramount

B&H Court upholds crimes against humanity sentence for ex-policeman Simo Stupar

Seven persons arrested under suspicion of war crimes