The Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Miroslav Jenča will be visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina from 19 to 22 October.

Jenča will meet with government authorities, political leaders, representatives of civil society, and members of the international community to gain a better understanding of developments and views in the country.
He intends to reiterate the Secretary-General’s message in support of dialogue, trust-building and social cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region, announced the office of the UN in B&amp;H.

He will meet with government authorities, political leaders, representatives of civil society, and members of the international community

UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča visiting B&H

Queen Silvia of Sweden personally presented the world-renowned award to the "Novi Put'"Association from Mostar (A New Path) at a gala event at the Royal Palace in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, on Monday.

This award was presented to the representatives of the Mostar NGO, Abida Pehlić and Alma Muratović-Kajtaz for their engagement in protecting children from child trafficking and sexual exploitation, on the occasion of October 18, the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, the association announced today. 
The association "Novi put" from Mostar is the winner of the prestigious international award for 2021, awarded by the Foundation "Child10" from the Kingdom of Sweden, for the fight against child trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, as well as the award of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and her foundation "Care about children".
The "Novi put" association from Mostar is one of only ten awarded organizations, chosen from more than 90 nominations from 27 countries around the world.
The ceremony in Stockholm was attended by a large number of eminent personalities, key policymakers of the UN and the EU, invited by the Swedish Queen, to meet with the award-winning organizations.
The awards ceremony was followed by a high-level panel discussion with Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Ilias Chatzis, Head of UNODC's Department for Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, Diane Schmitt. EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Anna Ekstedt, Swedish Anti-Trafficking Ambassador and many others.

This award was presented to the representatives of the Mostar NGO, Abida Pehlić and Alma Muratović-Kajtaz for their engagement in protecting children from child trafficking and sexual exploitation

The "Novi put" association from Mostar is one of only ten awarded organizations, chosen from more than 90 nominations from 27 countries around the world

Queen Silvia of Sweden presents an award to Mostar's "Novi put" association

Voters in the Balkan states of North Macedonia and Kosovo headed to the polls on Sunday to choose new mayors and city council members.

In North Macedonia, more than 3,400 polling stations were open from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM local time (0500-1700GMT) for about 1.82 million registered voters to elect the figures and parties that will govern the country locally for the next four years.
In each race, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote Sunday, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a second round next Sunday, Oct. 31.
Voters are choosing 81 mayors and city council members for each city.
​​This year, for the first time the country is using devices to detect voters' fingerprints.
Three parties wooing the votes of local ethnic Turks are running this year: the Turkish Democratic Party (TDP), Turkish Action Party (THP), and Turkish National Unity Movement (TMBH).
Those in quarantine due to coronavirus, the elderly, prison inmates, and nursing home residents cast their votes on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kosovo had 2,477 polling stations for nearly 1.89 million voters.
In addition to 23 independent candidates, some 5,500 people from 32 political parties, one coalition, and 33 civil initiatives are competing in the election.
In Kosovo, voters are choosing 38 mayors and city council members for four-year terms.
Parties in the polls include the Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP), Kosovo Justice Turkish Party (KATP) and Innovative Turkish Action Party (YTHP).

Voters head to polls to choose figures, parties to govern countries locally for next 4 years

Voters headed to the polls on Sunday to choose new mayors and city council members

North Macedonia, Kosovo hold local elections

Germany’s president said on Monday that his country still bears the guilt for the systematic murder of Jews by the Nazi regime.

- “We Germans still bear a share of the guilt that perpetrators, accomplices and supporters of the systematic murder of Europe’s Jews heaped upon themselves - Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi deportations of Jews.
 The president attended a commemorative event at Berlin's Grunewald train station, where the systematic deportation of the Jewish population started in 1941.
- To this day we feel ashamed that fellow citizens were taken from the heart of society, harassed, deprived of their rights, expropriated – and finally dispatched on a journey to their death - he told the participants.
 Steinmeier said the crime took place before the eyes of everybody, the exclusion and the picking up took place in the course of everyday German life.
- That is the dreadful truth even if the actual murders and eliminations took place in the conquered and occupied territories in the east - he said.
 About six million Jews are believed to have died during the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany.
 Steinmeier expressed regret that in today’s Germany many Jews still face anti-Semitism, and he called for a stronger stance against anti-Semitic hate crimes.
- “So, on a day like today and in a place like this, we also say: never again must anti-Semitism be allowed to have a place in our society - he said.
- Never again must anti-Semitic attitudes and actions be allowed to go unfought or unchallenged.-

Germany commemorates 80th anniversary of Nazi deportations of Jews from Berlin

Germans still bear guilt for Holocaust, President Steinmeier says

The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated an additional USD 750,000 to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e. a better response to the pandemic, including monitoring, public communication and diagnostics.

This USAID assistance through the World Health Organization (WHO) in B&amp;H was realized at today's signing of the agreement, which was attended by US Ambassador to B&amp;H Eric Nelson, USAID Mission Director Courtney Chubb and WHO Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr. Erwin Cooreman.
Ambassador Nelson said the assistance would help the WHO to strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina's fight against COVID-19 by addressing precisely the critical responses to the pandemic.
- Better data, clearer risk communication, community engagement, and improved labs and diagnostics are vital to the country's fight against the virus - Nelson added.
Cooreman said they are grateful to USAID for this important donation that will help the WHO provide Bosnia and Herzegovina with the best tools and assistance in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Our main focus has been and still is saving lives and ending the acute phase of this pandemic - Dr. Cooreman said.
With this funding, USAID has donated USD 11.2 million in assistance to B&amp;H against COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, using direct and redirected funds, USAID said.

This USAID assistance through the World Health Organization (WHO) in B&H was realized at today's signing of the agreement

Dr. Erwin Cooreman, Eric Nelson and  Courtney Chubb

USAID: Additional USD 750,000 to help fight COVID-19 in B&H

Director of the General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš" Ismet Gavrankapetanović hosted today the Ambassador of Turkey to B&amp;H Sadik Babur Girgin on a visit to that health institution.

They visited the Covid department, and the Ambassador was interested in organizing work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Director Gavrankapetanović thanked the Ambassador for the visit as well as for understanding and help in medicines that arrived for our patients from Turkey, in the previous pandemic wave. He emphasized that, throughout the pandemic, the General Hospital, in addition to caring for covid patients, remained open to other patients and that the number of admissions, operations and services has increased many times over, compared to the previous period - it is stated.
During that meeting, plans for further development of the General Hospital as well as cooperation in the field of health education were discussed.

During that meeting, plans for further development of the General Hospital as well as cooperation in the field of health education were discussed

Sadik Babur Girgin and Ismet Gavrankapetanović

Turkish Ambassador visits General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš"

Today, the Mayor of Zenica Fuad Kasumović held a meeting with Fahrudin Radončić, businessman and leader of the Alliance for a Better Future of B&amp;H and prof. dr. Mirsad Kacila, cardiac surgeon and director of the Sarajevo Heart Center, the Zenica City Administration announced.
Numerous topics were discussed, and special attention was paid to the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the development of the city of Zenica.

<h2>The situation in the country is extremely difficult</h2>

- We have a single position that the situation in the country is extremely difficult, that the patriotic bloc should exist and that at the same time we must work on development, for which Zenica has already become known. With Mayor Kasumović, I opened the topic, on which I have been talking in recent days with other party leaders, about the one opposition candidate for the position of a member of the Presidency of B&amp;H - said Radončić after the meeting.
The mayor of Zenica, Fuad Kasmović, said that at the meeting they once again confirmed their commitment that the current Election Law should be changed in the part related to the introduction of electronic voting, so that the winners are decided by those who vote, not those who count the votes.
- The meeting was also attended by the esteemed professor Dr. Mirsad Kacila, who expressed his readiness to build a state-of-the-art heart center on the land of the City and citizens of Zenica within the Zenica hospital. I supported the idea and we expect that the project will be realized, so that the citizens finally get a respectable center.
I waited for those who run the hospital and who are in charge of health care to do that, however, they dealt with positions and director positions. Earlier, they accused me of disputing the development of the hospital and its modernization, and almost a year has passed since the City of Zenica gave its consent, and that project is still in the same place - said Mayor Kasumović.

According to prof. dr. Mirsad Kacila, Zenica-Doboj Canton, has a big problem related to the health condition of citizens in the field of cardiology.
- We are ready with the project that has existed for a long time to make a modern heart center within the Zenica hospital, for which the consent of the mayor is necessary. I am happy that today we received the support of Mayor Kasumović to start this project, which will be one of the biggest and best when it comes to the health system in the Federation of B&amp;H - after the meeting in the office of the Mayor of Zenica, said prof. dr. Mirsad Kacila, director of the Sarajevo Heart Center.

Numerous topics were discussed, and special attention was paid to the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the development of the city of Zenica

Mayor Kasumović with Radončić and Doctor Kacila: Support for the construction of the Heart Center in Zenica

The Banja Luka District Public Prosecutor's Office has suspended the investigation against Nenad Nešić, a state MP, for abusing his official position at the time when he was acting director of the public company the Roads of the Republic of Srpska, Nešić confirmed for FENA.

Nešić, who is the president of the Democratic People's Alliance (DNS), pointed out that the investigation was suspended because "there was no evidence that he committed anything illegal".&nbsp;

He pointed out that the investigation was suspended because "there was no evidence that he committed anything illegal"

Banja Luka Prosecutor's Office suspends investigation against Nenad Nešić

Fully vaccinated foreign travelers will be eligible to enter the US beginning Nov. 8, the White House announced on Friday.

Spokesman Kevin Munoz said the mandate will apply to both international land and air travel, adding on Twitter that the "policy is guided by public health," and is "stringent, and consistent."
The decision to bring the regulation into force for all travelers worldwide replaces what had been a confusing patchwork of policies that will now be dropped in preference for a uniform approach for all international travel.
The Biden administration announced on Sept. 20 it would lift COVID-19 travel bans initially imposed by former President Donald Trump starting in early November for fully vaccinated travelers, but did not specify an exact date.
Travel bans were originally imposed by the Trump administration in March 2020 when the pandemic entered full swing in the US. The regulations curtailed travel from some European countries and China before being expanded to include other nations, including South Africa and Brazil.
In addition to being fully vaccinated, foreign travelers will also have to show a negative test result taken within three days prior to their departure, the White House said last month.
Friday's announcement sent airline stocks soaring with American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines all posting gains of over 1%.

Vaccine mandate to apply to both land and air travel, spokesman Kevin Munoz says

US allowing entry to fully vaccinated foreign travelers beginning Nov. 8

The trial of Zijad Mutap, his daughter Alisa Ramić-Mutap, two police officers Josip Barić and Hasan Dupovac and Muamer Ožegović, an employee of the Chrystal Hotel, continued yesterday in the Court of B&amp;H with questioning of Muriz Memić, a Prosecution witness.
They are charged with covering up the murder of Dženan Memić on February 8, 2016 in Ilidža.
In an almost two-hour testimony, Muriz Memić recounted the course of events, from the moment he was informed that Dženan Memić, his son, had been injured.
Muriz said that he immediately went to KCUS, where he found Zijad Mutap and Josip Barić.
- My cousin gace me the Dženan's cell phone. Cousin took the phone from Zijad Mutap. For six years, I have been wondering how Zijad Mutap got Dženan's phone - said Muriz Memić.
He added that approaching Zijad Mutap and Barić from behind, he heard Mutap say that Alisa could not be hit by the vehicle and that she was threatened.
He then talked to Dr. Alija Čelja, who told him that the situation was difficult, that Dženan had a brain hematoma, that they had to open his skull and that the operation would take four or five hours.

In an almost two-hour testimony, Muriz Memić recounted the course of events, from the moment he was informed that Dženan Memić, his son, had been injured

Video / Shocking testimony of Muriz Memić in the Court of B&H: Zijad Mutap said in front of KCUS that Alisa could not be hit by a vehicle

The questioning of Hasan Ganibegović, the former head of the Office of the Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, has ended in the trial of Fadil Novalić and the other indictees in the "Ventilators" affair.
Right at the beginning, and before the questioning of this witness, the lawyer Vasvija Vidović, who represents Novalić, told the Trial Chamber that her computer was hacked last night and that all the documentation collected for 10 years was destroyed. She later told reporters that she could not connect it with certainty to this case, nor to any other. She reported the case to the Federal Police Administration (FPA).

Answering the questions of Vasvija Vidović, Hasan Ganibegović said that the letters of intent to China for the purchase of ventilators were written by the technical secretary Bahra Džaka. In the first letter of intent dated April 2, 2020, Džaka used a facsimile of the signature of the FB&amp;H Prime Minister.
HCVE003 type ventilators were listed in that letter. The second letter of intent dated April 4, 2020, in which the purchase of 100 ACM812 ventilators was stated, was signed by the Prime Minister of FB&amp;H, Fadil Novalić.
Ganibegović confirmed that the second letter of intent was indeed signed by Prime Minister Novalić.
There were many questions for Ganibegović and about the viber group "Gensek".
Ganibegović also later said that in a conversation with Bahra Džaka and Prime Minister Novalić, he said that there were no offers other than "Silver Raspberry" for the purchase of such a large number of ventilators.

As Ganibegović claimed that he was questioned in the Prosecutor's Office under great pressure, the questions of Prosecutor Mirza Hukljić followed in that direction, who explained that the questions were directed because the witness questioned the veracity of his allegations in the investigation, on which, among other things, the indictment is based.
Judge Branko Perić suddenly joined in and said the prosecutor was exhausting the witness.
- Did the witness confirm the allegations in the indictment? Of course not. Now you are exhausting the witness to get the answers you want - said Perić.
Prosecutor Hukeljić said that he would stop questioning the witness because "after such a statement by the judge, it makes no sense."
The next hearing is scheduled for October 20, when Edita Kalajdžić, Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister of the FB&amp;H, will be questioned.

You are exhausting the witness to get the answers you want, Judge Perić said during the examination of prosecutor Mirza Hukljić

Fadil Novalić and Vasvija Vidović upon arrival at the Court of B&H

Hearing in the "Ventilators" case finished: The computer of Vasvija Vidović, Fadil Novalić's lawyer, was hacked

On the occasion of media announcements about the allegedly conducted survey within the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the possible withdrawal of some members of the AF B&amp;H from the system, we inform the public that no official survey has been conducted in the defense system. 

Conducting such a survey would violate the Law on Defense of B&amp;H and the Law on Service in the AF B&amp;H, which are elements of a criminal offense.
The Armed Forces of B&amp;H are absolutely committed to the execution of legally defined missions and tasks and are aimed at further modernization, said the Press Service of the B&amp;H Ministry of Defense.&nbsp;

Conducting such a survey would violate the Law on Defense of B&H and the Law on Service in the AF B&H, which are elements of a criminal offense

The Armed Forces of B&H are absolutely committed to the execution of legally defined missions and tasks

B&H Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces did not conduct any survey

The trial of the Prime Minister of the Federation of B&amp;H, Fadil Novalić, and others, accused of procuring 100 ventilators worth 10,530,000 KM, continued today in the Court of B&amp;H.
Apart from Novalić, in the case of the disputed purchase of ventilators, the accused are the suspended director of the Federal Administration of Civil Protection Fahrudin Solak, the Minister of Finance of FB&amp;H Jelka Milićević and the owner of the company "Silver raspberry" Fikret Hodžić.
Novalić, Solak and Hodžić are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal offenses in connection with acts of abuse of position or authority, and receiving a reward or other form of benefit for trading in influence.
The indictment also charges them with money laundering, falsification or destruction of business or trade books or documents, falsification of official documents and violation of the obligation to keep trade or business books and compile financial reports and their falsification or destruction.
Milićević is accused of negligent work in the service.

Apart from Novalić, in the case of the disputed purchase of ventilators, the accused are the suspended director of the FACP Fahrudin Solak, the Minister of Finance of FB&H Jelka Milićević and the owner of the company "Silver raspberry" Fikret Hodžić.

Arrival of the accused in the Court of B&H

"Ventilators" affair: Look at the arrival of Fadil Novalić and the other accused

Several hundred migrants and refugees are still staying on their own in improvised makeshift camps in the area of Bihać and Velika Kladuša, regardless of the worsening weather conditions. Such a decision is primarily explained by the close proximity to the border zone with the Republic of Croatia, i.e. an easier way to try to reach the destination in the European Union. 

Abdul from Afghanistan has been staying in an improvised camp in the woods near Velika Kladuša for several months, and he has already tried to cross the border with the Republic of Croatia five times.
- The conditions in this camp are of poor quality, however, the border is in the immediate vicinity, so it is much easier for us to organize an attempt to cross. I have specifically tried five times, but each time I was stopped by the Croatian police. They confiscated my documents and mobile phone and sent me back to Bosnia and Herzegovina. My wish is to bring my family to a safe country in the European Union, so I will continue - said Abdul.
Unfortunately, the uncontrolled stay of migrants and refugees in abandoned buildings and such types of improvised camps caused an increase in the number of cases of disturbing public order and peace of the citizens of Bihać and Velika Kladuša, which was confirmed by the Una-Sana Canton Police Administration.
Minister of Internal Affairs of the USC, Nermin Kljajić, confirmed that the works on the construction of the temporary reception center "Lipa" are in the final phase, but that there is still no official information when the first migrants will move into the newly built camp.
The number of beneficiaries of the services of the temporary tent settlement at the Lipa site changes almost daily, although most of them are satisfied with the current living conditions.

Such a decision is primarily explained by the close proximity to the border zone with the Republic of Croatia

The number of beneficiaries of the services of the temporary tent settlement at the Lipa site changes almost daily

Several hundred migrants are still in makeshift camps in USC

A cautious calm descended over Beirut on Thursday evening after nearly four hours of violence in the Lebanese capital left at least six people dead and more than 30 wounded.

Panic and fear gripped the city after gunfire broke out at a protest by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement near the Palace of Justice.
Hundreds of supporters of the two Shia groups had gathered to demand the removal of Tarek Bitar, the judge heading the probe into last year’s deadly Beirut port blast.
Commenting on the violence, both Hezbollah and Amal groups accused in a joint statement “armed group” affiliated with the Lebanese Forces party, led by Samir Geagea, of being behind the attack.
The groups called for bringing those accountable for the violence to justice.
The protest started hours after a court dismissed a complaint against the judge and allowed him to continue the investigation.
The groups accuse the judge of bias, with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently saying that Bitar’s work “involves political targeting and has nothing to do with justice.”
According to the Lebanese Red Cross, the number of fatalities currently stands at six and more than 30 people have been wounded.
The organization’s update came after Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi told reporters that five people were killed and at least 16 injured.
Among those killed was a woman who was struck by a bullet in her home, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Mawlawi said “the problem started with sniping, and the first person was hit in the head... the organizers of the demonstration assured us that it was peaceful.”
The Lebanese military said in a statement that the protesters were attacked while heading toward the Palace of Justice.
The army urged people to vacate the area and warned that any individuals with weapons will be shot.
The Beirut port blast in August 2020 killed more than 200 people, injured around 6,000, and left some 300,000 homeless, besides causing massive damage and further weakening Lebanon’s already fragile economy.

Shooting started near protest by Hezbollah, Amal Movement supporters for removal of Beirut port blast judge

Panic and fear gripped the city after gunfire broke out at a protest by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement near the Palace of Justice

At least 6 killed, over 30 wounded in Beirut protest violence

An Afghan teenager who came to the UK as a refugee was stabbed to death in southwest London, local media reports said Thursday.

Hazrat Wali, an 18-year-old student at Richmond Upon Thames College, was attacked during a fight in Craneford Way, Twickhenham on Tuesday.
- Hazrat was a very good boy. He came here to study, he was living all on his own in London. His immediate family are all back in Afghanistan - a relative was quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.
- I saw him in hospital. He had a fight is all that I’ve heard.-The victim was attacked during a fight on a footbridge and later he collapsed in the playing fields in Craneford Way. He died of his wounds an hour later despite first aid efforts from a teacher who was on the field with his student.
Police on Wednesday evening named Wali as the victim of the attack.
- We are still working to establish the motive behind this tragic attack and are following a number of leads - said Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall from the Specialist Crime Command.
She said: “Officers have recovered CCTV from the area and spoken to a number of witnesses who described seeing a fight in the moments before Hazrat was attacked.
- We know a lot of people were on the field at the time and I’d urge anyone who has not yet spoken to police to contact us immediately.-

Police name Hazrat Wali as victim of stabbing incident in southwest London

Hazrat Wali, an 18-year-old student at Richmond Upon Thames College, was attacked during a fight in Craneford Way, Twickhenham on Tuesday

UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča visiting B&H

Queen Silvia of Sweden presents an award to Mostar's "Novi put" association

North Macedonia, Kosovo hold local elections

Germans still bear guilt for Holocaust, President Steinmeier says

USAID: Additional USD 750,000 to help fight COVID-19 in B&H

Turkish Ambassador visits General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš"

Mayor Kasumović with Radončić and Doctor Kacila: Support for the construction of the Heart Center in Zenica

Banja Luka Prosecutor's Office suspends investigation against Nenad Nešić

US allowing entry to fully vaccinated foreign travelers beginning Nov. 8

Video / Shocking testimony of Muriz Memić in the Court of B&H: Zijad Mutap said in front of KCUS that Alisa could not be hit by a vehicle

Hearing in the "Ventilators" case finished: The computer of Vasvija Vidović, Fadil Novalić's lawyer, was hacked

B&H Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces did not conduct any survey

"Ventilators" affair: Look at the arrival of Fadil Novalić and the other accused

Several hundred migrants are still in makeshift camps in USC

At least 6 killed, over 30 wounded in Beirut protest violence

18-year-old Afghan refugee stabbed to death in UK

News

UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča visiting B&H

Queen Silvia of Sweden presents an award to Mostar's "Novi put" association

North Macedonia, Kosovo hold local elections

Germans still bear guilt for Holocaust, President Steinmeier says

USAID: Additional USD 750,000 to help fight COVID-19 in B&H

Turkish Ambassador visits General Hospital "Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakaš"

Mayor Kasumović with Radončić and Doctor Kacila: Support for the construction of the Heart Center in Zenica

Banja Luka Prosecutor's Office suspends investigation against Nenad Nešić

US allowing entry to fully vaccinated foreign travelers beginning Nov. 8

Video / Shocking testimony of Muriz Memić in the Court of B&H: Zijad Mutap said in front of KCUS that Alisa could not be hit by a vehicle

Hearing in the "Ventilators" case finished: The computer of Vasvija Vidović, Fadil Novalić's lawyer, was hacked

B&H Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces did not conduct any survey

"Ventilators" affair: Look at the arrival of Fadil Novalić and the other accused

Several hundred migrants are still in makeshift camps in USC

At least 6 killed, over 30 wounded in Beirut protest violence

18-year-old Afghan refugee stabbed to death in UK