Japan’s anti-coronavirus vaccination campaign is showing results as the capital Tokyo registered the lowest COVID-19 cases in at least one year, authorities said Monday.

The Japanese government revealed that more than 64% of the country’s 126 million population was “fully vaccinated” against the coronavirus, public broadcaster NHK News reported.
- Over 93.1 million people, or 73.6% of the population, have received their first shots, and that more than 81.4 million people, or 64.3%, have had two shots - the government figures showed.
The data was released on the same day when Tokyo registered 49 coronavirus cases, which is the lowest daily number of cases since June last year. It is the third consecutive day that the capital registered decreasing number of coronavirus cases.
Japan is witnessing a “steady decline” in infections across the country which has reported 1.7 million COVID-19 cases, including 17,941 deaths, so far.
Authorities are also mulling third booster vaccine shots by the end of this year while the government has secured millions of more vaccines from US manufacturer Pfizer in a deal signed last week.

More than 64% of country’s 126M population fully vaccinated, say authorities

The Japanese government revealed that more than 64% of the country’s 126 million population was “fully vaccinated” against the coronavirus

Japan’s vaccination showing results as Tokyo registers lowest cases

A group of Greenpeace activists staged a protest in front of Downing Street on Monday.

Some of the protesters locked their hands in metal barrels and closed the main road in front of Prime Ministry offices.
Philip Evans, a spokesperson for the group, said they were protesting against an oil drilling project off the cost of Shetland Islands.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Evans said the planet could not afford fossil fuels and they urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to rethink about the Combo oil field project.
Police cut loose protesters from the barrels with electric saw and arrested at least 10 of them. The main road in Whitehall remains closed until the afternoon hours and traffic was serviced through reduced lane.
The Greenpeace protest came only weeks before a climate summit which will be held in Glasgow in early November. Many world leaders will come together in COP26 to discuss the global heating and precautions to be taken within the next 10 years.

Group of environmentalist activists urged UK government to cancel oil drilling project

Some of the protesters locked their hands in metal barrels and closed the main road in front of Prime Ministry offices

Greenpeace protest blocks Downing Street entrance

President of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Bakir Izetbegović stated today that he does not want to meet with a member of the Presidency of B&amp;H and president of the SNSD Milorad Dodik, and president of the HDZ B&amp;H Dragan Čović until the blockade of the state institutions is lifted, which Dodik has directly produced.

Izetbegović commented on Dodik's statement that he was ready to talk to him and Čović about constitutional changes, but only on the condition that foreign officials do not participate in the conversation.
- Dodik sent me a message that he is in the mood for such a meeting, but without foreigners, as he said without "tutors", which I refused. Dodik created the situation that we are in at the moment. Now he expects me to convene a meeting and look for solutions.&nbsp;The three of us will not sit together until Dodik gives up the blockades he created in the country. If the blockade of the state is removed and if the budget is adopted, then we can talk. I acted in the same way when Dragan Čović did a similar thing - Izetbegović emphasized.Regarding the situation, he believes that members of the international community are necessary.
- The OHR is in charge of resolving such situations. I cannot do the work of the OHR and the work of the B&amp;H Parliament, the Court and the Prosecutor's Office. There is work for all of them here. I am president of a political party - says Izetbegović.
He is convinced that what Dodik is suggesting leads to an attack on the constitutional order, undermining the military power of the state, and unlawfully adopting the legislation on the armed forces.
- If Dodik tries to stop the work of the SIPA and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina by force, then this will be an attack on the constitutional order. Had it not been for Milorad Dodik's policies in the last 15 years, this would have been a much less unfortunate country, including the entity of Republic of Srpska. It has the poorest pensioners in Europe and the highest coronavirus mortality. Such an irresponsible policy that seeks to bring us into conflict is all the product of Dodik himself and those who support him and vote for him. They themselves bear the consequences of the situation in which they live - Izetbegović underlined.

I cannot do the work of the OHR and the work of the B&H Parliament, the Court and the Prosecutor's Office, Izetbegović emphasized

Izetbegović: The three of us will not meet until the blockade of the state ends

In the continuation of the trial of Amir Zukić and others in the "Bosnia" case, the current member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šefik Džaferović, was questioned this morning. He testified about the circumstances of the appointment of Esad Džananović to the position of executive director in "Elektroprivreda BiH".
Džaferović, as a member of the SDA Personnel Commission, testified this morning about the position taken by this body on Džananović's appointment, who is also being tried in this case.
When asked by the lawyer of the accused Zukić, Senka Nožica, whether Zukić ever called him about the appointment of Džananović and demanded something from him, he said:
- I was never contacted by Mr. Zukić, or asked for anything about the work of the SDA Personnel Commission. You have to ask others that - said Džaferović.
Džaferović said that Džananović passed the competition procedure properly and that discussions on appointments were being held at the session of the Personnel Commission. But, as he said, in the end he was unanimously elected.
- I would not allow anyone to influence me, not even Zukić - said Džaferović.
In addition to Džaferović, Adnan Efendić from the KS Personnel Commission and Abid Jusić from the Centar Municipality Commission also testified today. Both claimed that Zukic did not influence them when adopting the position on the appointment of Džananović.

Džaferović said that Džananović passed the competition procedure properly and that there were discussions about the appointment at the session of the Personnel Commission

Džaferović: Member of the SDA Personnel Commission

Šefik Džaferović reveals in court whether Amir Zukić called him about appointing Džananović

The trial in the "Bosnia" case continues this morning at the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, in which Amir Zukić, former SDA Secretary General Asim Sarajlić, former SDA Vice President and former President of the Personnel Commission, and Safet Bibić, Senad and Nedžad Trako, Ramiz Karavdić and Esed Džananović are the accused.
They are accused of illegal employment mediation, abuse of position and receiving a reward or other form of benefit for trading in influence, in connection with employment in public companies. The trial began in May 2017. 
Members of SDA personnel commissions from several levels are expected to appear as witnesses on Monday. At the SDA level at that time, in addition to Sarajlić, the Personnel Commission included Adil Osmanović, Senija Bubić, Šefik Džaferović, Halid Genjac, Sadik Ahmetović and Šefkija Okerić.

Four witnesses were called for Monday. According to the Avaz reporter, Džaferović and Sarajlić arrived at the Court.
At the last hearing on September 13, Senka Nožica, Amir Zukić's lawyer, said that the members of the Personnel Commission were called to check whether the defendant had ever influenced the selection of leading positions proposed by the SDA in the Personnel Commission.
- The party has always had its proposals and we want to see if in this particular case he had an influence on the election of the director of the Public Company (PE) "Elektroprivreda BiH", which he is charged with. That is why we call on the members of the municipal, cantonal and members of the commissions of the party's presidency to express themselves - said Nožica.

They are accused of illegal employment mediation, abuse of office and receiving a reward or other form of benefit for trading in influence, in connection with employment in public companies

Šefik Džaferović has arrived at the Municipal Court, he is testifing in the Amir Zukić and others case

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Turkey on Oct. 16 to discuss bilateral relations and international issues, her spokesman said Friday.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Steffen Seibert said Merkel will visit Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Turkey is a very important, close partner for us - he said, adding that the two leaders will discuss a wide range of international and regional issues, including the EU-Turkey cooperation on migration management and refugee protection.
Chancellor Merkel’s visit will take place ahead of an EU leaders summit in Brussels on Oct. 21-22.
After 16 years in power, Angela Merkel is preparing to leave active politics later this year, but she will remain in her post until a new coalition government is formed.
Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) narrowly lost the general elections late last month.

Merkel, Erdogan to meet in Istanbul to discuss bilateral relations, international issues

German Chancellor Merkel to visit Turkey on Oct. 16

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed on Thursday Turkey's ratification of the 2015 Paris climate accord, saying Ankara should rapidly present its national plan to combat climate change. 

- I expect Turkey to present as soon as possible a national #ClimateAction plan in line with its commitment to get to net zero emissions by 2053- Guterres said on Twitter.
On Wednesday, Turkey’s parliament ratified the Paris Climate Agreement to contribute to global efforts against climate change.
On Dec. 12, 2015, parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change reached an agreement to fight climate change and achieve a sustainable low-carbon future at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris.
The Paris Agreement, defined as "a bridge between today's policies and climate-neutrality before the end of the 21st century," seeks to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by stopping global average temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels over the next century.
It also seeks to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes Turkey's ratification of 2015 Paris climate accord

UN chief says he expects Turkey to present climate plan soon

A court in northern Greece has postponed the trial of a religious leader of the country's Muslim Turkish minority elected in defiance of Greek authorities who have sought to appoint the holder of post.

Ibrahim Serif, the elected mufti of Komotini (Gumulcine) in northeastern Greece, had been sued by Greek authorities in March 2018 on charges of usurping authority after he attended a circumcision ceremony in 2016 and was to stand trial on Thursday.
Serif's lawyer, Ercan Ahmet, and 11 other attorneys from the Istanbul-based International Jurists Union (UHUB) attended the trial in Thessaloniki, while the court announced that it would be postponed until Dec. 8 after a police officer who was to serve as the prosecution's witness did not show up.
UHUB's secretary general, senior legal expert Refik Korkusuz, has been following Serif's case and has stressed that it contradicts the rulings of the European Court of Human Right (ECHR).
- We expect Greek judicial authorities to respect the ECHR's decisions - he said, expressing worry that the case was intended to suppress the Muslim Turkish minority in Greece.
Yasin Sanli, the chair of the 2nd Istanbul Bar Association, on the other hand, underlined that such cases were in obvious violation of international treaties and basic rights.
Such cases are akin to threating Muslim Turkish minority in Greece, he remarked, while another lawyer who followed the case, Abubaker Siddiqe of the London Bar Association, agreed that the case opposes ECHR decisions.

Serif was elected mufti of Komotini in 1990 by the local Muslim Turkish community.

Ahmet Mete, the current mufti of Xanthi (Iskece), and his predecessor Mehmet Emin Aga had also previously been convicted by Greek courts for usurping authority.
The Western Thrace region of Greece is home to a Muslim Turkish minority of around 150,000 people, where muftis have legal jurisdiction to decide on the family and inheritance matters in the local community.
The issue of mufti elections has been a long-standing problem for the group since 1991.
The election of muftis by Muslims in Greece was regulated in the 1913 Treaty of Athens with the Ottoman Empire and was later included in Greek law.
However, Greece annulled this law in 1991 and started appointing muftis itself.
The majority of Muslim Turks in the cities of Komotini and Xanthi do not recognize the appointed muftis and instead elect their own, who are not recognized by the Greek state.

Jurists worried case against Ibrahim Serif intends to suppress Muslim Turkish minority in Greece

Greek court postpones trial of Turkish minority's elected mufti

The trial of Novalić and others in the "Ventilators" affair continued today with the interrogation of Hasan Ganibegović, former director of the Office of the Prime Minister of FB&amp;H Fadil Novalić.
Explaining his role in the Prime Minister's Office, Ganibegović said that there were problems with Novalić's advisers, who, although subordinate to him, mostly knew how to bypass him and communicate directly with the Prime Minister.
He was not directly involved in the procurement of 100 ventilators, which were paid 10.5 million KM. However, when the import of medical equipment and means was discussed earlier, Ganibegović claims that he asked Novalić not to interfere in the business of procuring ventilators. According to him, it is a political decision, not an epidemiological one.
When asked by prosecutor Džermin Pašić, Ganibegović repeatedly answered "I don't remember".
Prosecutor Pašić quoted him as saying everything during the Prosecution hearing. Ganibegović said that he said everything he said in the Prosecution under pressure from the prosecution and the arrest.
As it was evident that Ganibegović was changing his statement today, Prosecutor Pašić declared him an "enemy witness".
However, Ganibegović confirmed that he found out about the purchase of 100 ventilators, which were procured by the company " Silver raspberry ", on April 13, 2020, when Prime Minister Novalić told him to write him a speech about the arrival of ventilators.
Ganibegović met Fikret Hodžić on April 22 of the same year, after Novalić told him to help Hodžić obtain import permits.
The continuation of Ganibegović's interrogation is scheduled for October 13.

As it was evident that Ganibegović was changing his statement today, Prosecutor Pašić declared him an "enemy witness"

"Ventilators" affair: Hasan Ganibegović confirmed that Novalić told him to help Hodžić with the import of ventilators

In the "Diploma" affair, in which Denis Prcić, owner of the American University in B&amp;H, and Osman Mehmedagić, director of the ISA Intelligence and Security Agency, were arrested earlier, the B&amp;H Prosecutor's Office expanded the investigation to several people because there is a high degree of suspicion that others diplomas from the American University in B&amp;H were forged, which are used by employees in B&amp;H institutions.

<h2>There is no evidence of graduation</h2>

According to information that „Avaz“ has, one of the forged diplomas was identified as a diploma from the American School of Public Administration, which is in the possession of Amina Pekić, otherwise the sister of Mehmedagić's close associate Muhamed Pekić.
The Prosecution obtained information that Pekić had no evidence of graduation in his personal file, but Bisera Turković and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to provide the Prosecution with the requested information.

However, as we find out, members of the SC MUP seized Pekić's personal file three days ago, on the order of the Court of B&amp;H.
Prosecutors believe that Pekić, with a forged diploma, is working in the B&amp;H diplomatic mission in Brussels with NATO, as an employee of the B&amp;H MFA.

<h2>Act of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H</h2>

The Prosecution considers that the use of a forged diploma in such an important place represents "a serious shame for B&amp;H and a huge damage to the reputation of B&amp;H in the world", about which the MFA of B&amp;H has already written.
However, it is indicative that the B&amp;H Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bisera Turković have been refusing to submit Pekić's personal file in the form of information and photocopies for months.
They turned a deaf ear to the act of the Prosecutor's Office on June 25 this year and did not want to submit the requested information, which is why a court order was requested.

One of the forged diplomas was identified as a diploma from the American School of Public Administration, which is in the possession of Amina Pekić

MFA of B&H: Entered by order of the Court

"Diploma"affair: SC MUP inspectors seized documentation from the B&H MFA, who is the target of the B&H Prosecutor's Office

On October 4, Ambassador Nelson met with ambassadors and other representatives of the embassies of Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to discuss tools, methods, and best practices in supporting a better future for all B&amp;H citizens by holding corrupt actors accountable.

The U.S. Embassy Sarajevo committed to increasing information sharing with like-minded partners concerning the activities of corrupt actors and make it more difficult for corrupt B&amp;H actors to take their ill-gotten gains and invest them abroad; to stand up for anti-corruption champions within B&amp;H including public servants, investigative journalists, and civil society; and to continue public engagement against corruption and its negative impact on B&amp;H.
As part of its commitment to holding corrupt actors accountable, U.S Embassy Sarajevo is implementing new steps to cancel or deny visas for travel to the United States for business or tourism for individuals involved in corruption, stated the United States Embassy in B&amp;H.&nbsp;

We will stand up for anti-corruption champions within B&H including public servants, investigative journalists, and civil society, they said

US Embassy : Corrupt individuals must be held accountable

The FB&amp;H Assistant Minister of Health Goran Čerkez considers the recommendation that employees in sectors of social interest must be vaccinated fully justified, especially if they are in the category where they are perfectly safe to receive the vaccine. 

- If we ask our patients to be tested before entering the hospital, why wouldn't medical workers working in the wards with 100 people be vaccinated? - asked Čerkez.
He also stated that someone who works in the health care system must have an awareness about the importance of vaccination, as one of the greatest scientific inventions of all time.
- It is debatable what kind of people work there, and what kind of education they actually have - Čerkez told reporters in Sarajevo.
He pointed out that in the coming period, measures should be considered that include showing a certificate of vaccination or a negative test when entering public events, given the low percentage of the vaccinated in the country.
- Such measures are stimulating, and by no means restrictive. The introduction of such certificates would create conditions for some sectors to function much easier, such as tourism and sports - Čerkez emphasized.
&nbsp;

He also stated that someone who works in the health care system must have an awareness about the importance of vaccination, as one of the greatest scientific inventions of all time

Čerkez: If patients need tests why medical workers should not be vaccinated

The trial in the "Ventilators" affair continued today. According to "Avaz" reporters, the accused are arriving at the Court of B&amp;H, and today the former head of Novalić's cabinet, Hasan Ganibegović, is testifying.

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 related to 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.

Novalić, Solak and Hodžić are charged with conspiracy to commit crimes

Ventilators mafia: Former chief of Fadil Novalić's staff is testifying today, what will he reveal?

Acting prosecutor Ćazim Hasanspahić said yesterday in the Court of B&amp;H, at the beginning of the trial of the accused five in the "Dženan Memić" case, that he believes that the Court should extend the ban on the accused, especially due to the fact that one of the protected witnesses was attacked.
- The Prosecutor's Office, in cooperation with the competent authorities, is investigating this case. We do not claim that any of the accused is behind the attack, but everything should be investigated - said Hasanspahić.
The "Avaz" portal learns from sources close to the investigation that the protected witness was beaten in East Sarajevo ten days. He was beaten by several people who were previously known to the police.
Due to the injuries sustained, this man, who was on friendly terms with the accused Zijad Mutap, but sought protection for fear of retaliation, even spent the night in the Sarajevo hospital, where he was given help.
Our sources claim that before the attack on him, the attackers asked this person the question: "Are you that protected witness?"
The Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H was immediately informed about this attack, which is now checking whether the attack is related to the "Memić" case or whether there are earlier disagreements.

Due to the injuries sustained, this man, who was on friendly terms with the accused Zijad Mutap, spent the night in the hospital

Dženan Memić: What does the Prosecution claim?

"Avaz" reveals details about the beaten witness who spent the night in the hospital: "Are you the one who is protected"

The Belgian government started negotiations on introducing a 4-day workweek, Belgian daily newspaper De Morgen reported on Thursday.

According to a proposal submitted by the liberals and supported by all other coalition parties, Belgium would reduce the full-time workweek from five days to four by keeping the same number of weekly hours.
In practical terms, people with the standard Belgian contract of weekly 38 hours would work 9,5 hours every day, but they would have an extra day off in return for the daily two-hours overwork.
- In general, we think it is a good initiative for the liberty of employment, but workers should be able to choose - Meyrem Almaci, the president of the Greens in the Belgian federal parliament, told reporters.
Next weekend, the federal government will discuss in which sectors they would propose the 4-day workweek.
The socialist trade union has already criticized the proposal, calling for an overall reduction of working hours.

Belgian employees could opt for working two extra hours to get an extra day off

According to a proposal submitted by the liberals and supported by all other coalition parties, Belgium would reduce the full-time workweek from five days to four by keeping the same number of weekly hours

Belgian government mulls 4-day workweek

A US federal judge ordered Texas to suspend a law that effectively prevents women from having an abortion in the state.

The law prohibits women from having an abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is after about six weeks of pregnancy. Many women would not even know they are pregnant in that timeframe.
Texas Republicans have sought to escape the fate of other “heartbeat bills” that have been struck down as unconstitutional by putting enforcement in the hands of citizens who can sue abortion providers or others who assist them with an abortion.
That includes people who help pay for the abortion or individuals who might transport them to a women’s health center for the procedure, including ride-share drivers.
Uber and Lyft have vowed to pay their drivers’ legal fees should they be sued under the law.
District Court Judge Robert Pittman issued the ruling late Wednesday in the first legal blow to the law, which is one of the most restrictive in the US.
He said in a 113-page ruling that the state’s Republican legislators “contrived an unprecedented and transparent statutory scheme whereby it created a private cause of action in which private citizens with no personal interest in or connection to a person seeking an abortion would be able to interfere with that right using the state’s judicial system, judges, and court officials.”
- From the moment S.B. 8 went into effect, women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution,” he wrote, using the law’s formal name. “This Court will not sanction one more day of this offensive deprivation of such an important right.-Texas officials have informed the court that they plan to appeal Pittman’s ruling.
Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion group, denounced Pittman’s ruling in no uncertain terms, saying it “is the legacy of Roe v. Wade: Judges catering to the abortion industry, crafting a conclusion first &amp; then searching the depths of legal literature for a rationale later.”
The case mentioned in the group’s tweet affirmed in 1973 a woman’s right to an abortion by striking down Texas laws that criminalized abortion.
Planned Parenthood, the US’ leading abortion rights advocacy group, hailed the ruling, but said it is “overdue,” and vowed to “continue fighting this ban in court, until we are certain that Texans’ ability to access abortion is protected.”

Law prevents women "from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution", says judge

The law prohibits women from having an abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is after about six weeks of pregnancy

Japan’s vaccination showing results as Tokyo registers lowest cases

Greenpeace protest blocks Downing Street entrance

Izetbegović: The three of us will not meet until the blockade of the state ends

Šefik Džaferović reveals in court whether Amir Zukić called him about appointing Džananović

Šefik Džaferović has arrived at the Municipal Court, he is testifing in the Amir Zukić and others case

German Chancellor Merkel to visit Turkey on Oct. 16

UN chief says he expects Turkey to present climate plan soon

Greek court postpones trial of Turkish minority's elected mufti

"Ventilators" affair: Hasan Ganibegović confirmed that Novalić told him to help Hodžić with the import of ventilators

"Diploma"affair: SC MUP inspectors seized documentation from the B&H MFA, who is the target of the B&H Prosecutor's Office

US Embassy : Corrupt individuals must be held accountable

Čerkez: If patients need tests why medical workers should not be vaccinated

Ventilators mafia: Former chief of Fadil Novalić's staff is testifying today, what will he reveal?

"Avaz" reveals details about the beaten witness who spent the night in the hospital: "Are you the one who is protected"

Belgian government mulls 4-day workweek

US federal judge temporarily blocks Texas abortion restrictions

News

Japan’s vaccination showing results as Tokyo registers lowest cases

Greenpeace protest blocks Downing Street entrance

Izetbegović: The three of us will not meet until the blockade of the state ends

Šefik Džaferović reveals in court whether Amir Zukić called him about appointing Džananović

Šefik Džaferović has arrived at the Municipal Court, he is testifing in the Amir Zukić and others case

German Chancellor Merkel to visit Turkey on Oct. 16

UN chief says he expects Turkey to present climate plan soon

Greek court postpones trial of Turkish minority's elected mufti

"Ventilators" affair: Hasan Ganibegović confirmed that Novalić told him to help Hodžić with the import of ventilators

"Diploma"affair: SC MUP inspectors seized documentation from the B&H MFA, who is the target of the B&H Prosecutor's Office

US Embassy : Corrupt individuals must be held accountable

Čerkez: If patients need tests why medical workers should not be vaccinated

Ventilators mafia: Former chief of Fadil Novalić's staff is testifying today, what will he reveal?

"Avaz" reveals details about the beaten witness who spent the night in the hospital: "Are you the one who is protected"

Belgian government mulls 4-day workweek

US federal judge temporarily blocks Texas abortion restrictions