Five new countries including the US were added on Friday to the EU's travel list, lifting entry restrictions against the coronavirus for international arrivals.EU governments agreed to add the US, North Macedonia, Serbia, Lebanon, and Albania to the list, their representative Council of the EU announced.The list also included Taiwan, which China considers a “breakaway province,” while Taipei insists on its independence since 1949 and currently maintains independent diplomatic relations with at least 16 nations.Restrictions for travelers from two of China's special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao, were also lifted with the condition of reciprocity.The decision updated the list already featuring Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Israel, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China in case of reciprocity.Residents of these countries can visit the EU for non-essential purposes regardless of their vaccination status.The free travel list is considered a recommendation for EU members, whose governments are allowed to make exceptions and allow visitors from other non-EU countries.The bloc decided to restrict the entry of non-EU nationals to its territory last March in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents of US, North Macedonia, Serbia, Lebanon, Taiwan can visit bloc without COVID-19 restrictions

Restrictions for travelers from two of China's special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao, were also lifted with the condition of reciprocity

EU adds 5 new countries to free travel list

Austria will donate one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to western Balkan countries, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said Friday.

In April, Austria and Slovenia promised thousands of coronavirus vaccine doses to the Czech Republic after coming under fire from Brussels for refusing to help EU partners in greater need of jabs. 
-We will deliver one million doses of vaccines from Austria to the western Balkans from August until the end of the year- Kurz told reporters after meeting representatives from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.
A spokesman told AFP that the donations would be mostly AstraZeneca and that further details -- including who gets how many -- would still need to be decided.
-We will only be able to overcome this pandemic once all countries in Europe and beyond have overcome it- Kurz said.
Almost half of Austria's almost nine million people have already received at least one shot, while a quarter is fully vaccinated.

Kurz: We will only be able to overcome this pandemic once all countries in Europe and beyond have overcome it

Almost half of Austria's almost nine million people have already received at least one shot, while a quarter is fully vaccinated

Austria to donate million Covid vaccine doses to Balkan states

One in two Germans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, health authorities said Friday, warning against complacency as the Delta variant is expected to become the dominant strain.

The variant first identified in India, now spreading fast in Britain and elsewhere, has doubled to just over 6 percent of all new infections in Germany during the week ending June 6 from the previous seven days.
-By the autumn, it will be the dominant strain- said Lothar Wieler, who heads the disease control agency RKI. 
It was "biologically logical" for the strain to become dominant simply because it was more infectious, he said.
Data from Britain, which has one of the fastest vaccination campaigns in the world, show that innoculation helps prevent serious disease.
Nevertheless, "that is valid only for fully vaccinated people," said Wieler, noting that those who have received only one jab could still catch the variant and spread it.
Around 29 percent of Germans are fully vaccinated.
Germany has eased most restrictions, reopening restaurants, shops, pools and museums in the last weeks as new infections dip sharply.
On Friday, it recorded 1,076 new cases, while the the number of new cases over a seven day period continued to drop to 10 per 100,000 people.
Wieler said however that it was necessary to keep wearing masks indoors, such as on public transport or at offices. 
"We have achieved really good results but the virus is still active and please let us give this virus no chance," he urged.

Data from Britain, which has one of the fastest vaccination campaigns in the world, show that innoculation helps prevent serious disease

Around 29 percent of Germans are fully vaccinated

Half of Germans have first jab but variant fuels fears

The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina says that three people were arrested during today's searches in Tuzla and Sarajevo.
- The searches refer to a total of three people, and are carried out with the aim of finding documentation, evidence and official records of the American University in Tuzla. The suspects will be questioned within the legal deadline, after which the acting prosecutor will make a decision on further activities in the case.
Searches are conducted in order to find evidence of the work and activities of this institution, as part of the investigation related to illegalities and irregularities in connection with the issued diplomas.
In the interest of working on the case, we cannot provide more information at this time - it is eritten in the statement of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H.

The searches related to three persons, and are conducted with the aim of finding documentation, evidence and official records of the American University in Tuzla

B&H Prosecutor's Office on Prcić's arrest and aearch at American University: Three people arrested in Tuzla and Sarajevo

Mostar Mayor Mario Kordić and Mostar City Council President Salem Marić met with Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the European Union Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
They discussed current activities of the new city administration and infrastructure projects in Mostar at the meeting.
Mayor Kordić and the President of the City Council Marić emphasized that the City Administration has a significant job ahead of it and that the expectations of the citizens are high. They acquainted Ambassador Sattler with the plans of the new leadership of the City of Mostar, especially when it comes to improving the functionality and transparency and activities on the implementation of priority infrastructure projects.
Sattler welcomed the efforts of the new administration and called for resolving urgent issues for the citizens of Mostar.
The interlocutors also discussed projects whose implementation was contributed by the European Union, as well as the need to implement projects that would strengthen the economy and tourism, the City of Mostar announced.

They discussed current activities of the new city administration and infrastructure projects

Mario Kordić, Johann Sattler and Salem Marić

Ambassador Sattler meets with Kordić and Marić

In the last 24 hours, 1,324 samples were registered with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 14 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

New cases have been registered in the Una-Sana, Central Bosnia, Zenica-Doboj, West Herzegovina, Tuzla and Sarajevo Canton.
A total of 703,360 samples have been tested so far, and SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in 133,809 individuals in FB&amp;H.
In the past 24 hours, one death was reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H in Tuzla Canton. As of today, the number of deaths in the Federation of B&amp;H is 5,526, the Institute announced.
In Republic of Srpska, 400 laboratory samples were tested in the last 24 hours, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in seven people.
In the same period, two deaths were reported to the RS Institute of Public Health in which the presence of the coronavirus virus was confirmed.
So far, 64,318 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in that entity, and a total of 3,767 people who have been tested for the virus have died.
Today, two new cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the Brčko District of B&amp;H out of 98 processed tests. One person died and 188 people recovered.

New cases have been registered in the Una-Sana, Central Bosnia, Zenica-Doboj, West Herzegovina, Tuzla and Sarajevo Canton

In Republic of Srpska, 400 laboratory samples were tested in the last 24 hours, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in seven people

B&H registers 23 new coronavirus cases and four fatalities

The Cantonal Board of SBB Sarajevo believes that the president of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, should continue to hold the presidential position in SBB and has no right to unilaterally withdraw from the team that created and gave hope to the citizens, it was announced today.
The Cantonal Board believes that Radončić is very much needed, both at the head of SBB and in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to Bosniaks as people.
- Since the announcement of President Radončić on N1 television that he is considering relinquishing his presidential position, as the SBB commissioner for Sarajevo Canton, I have received hundreds of calls from members and citizens asking Radončić to remain president. I must say that I agree with everyone, because he is a leader with great personal and political capacity, and in such complex circumstances in our country and region, we really need him. Also, in 2009, when SBB was founded, people followed Radončić and saw in him hope for a way out of the bad situation in the country, and that is why we want him to continue to lead us - said SBB Commissioner for Sarajevo Canton Mirvad Kurić.
Furthermore, as stated by the Cantonal Board, at this moment of general hopelessness - both in Sarajevo and in the whole country - there is no serious and creative alternative to the current government.
- Only SBB led by Radončić, which are not disruptive, but a factor that unites all parties in B&amp;H, is an option that can be the only alternative to the citizens. We already have a young and potent team, and we can only be strong with Radončić at the helm, because ten years ago we followed him and because of him the majority entered politics and started on the path of an alternative to the unsuccessful dynastic government - Kurić emphasized.

We already have a young and potent team, and we can only be strong with Radončić at the helm, said Mirvad Kurić

Only SBB, led by Radončić, is the alternative to the citizens

The Alliance for a Better Future of B&amp;H and I deeply respect today's decision of the Assembly of Montenegro, which adopted the Resolution on Genocide in Srebrenica which condemns and prohibits public denial of genocide, said the president of SBB Fahrudin Radončić.
- This is a great decision of the Assembly of Montenegro, which was supported by deputies and positions and the opposition, we congratulate them on that. This proves that Montenegro is a country that knows how to respect the values of civilization and that by adopting today's resolution, it has put itself on the right side of history.
With an official resolution in the Assembly, condemning the Srebrenica genocide and banning public denial, Montenegro sent a message to all Balkan countries and showed how they should treat the genocide committed against Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We believe that the resolution of the Montenegrin Assembly will encourage all those in B&amp;H who currently oppose the ban on public denial of genocide to change the current decadent position, so that the Parliamentary Assembly of B&amp;H can finally pass a law banning genocide denial in our country - stated Radončić, it was announced from SBB.

We believe that the resolution of the Montenegrin Assembly will encourage all those in B&H who currently oppose the ban on public denial of genocide to change the current decadent attitude, said Radončić

Radončić: Montenegro has sent a message to all Balkan countries

Radončić: Montenegro's decision is significant, with the adoption of the Resolution, they put themselves on the right side of history

This morning, the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina asked the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to order one-month custody for the arrested Alisa Mutap, the ex-girlfriend of the young man Dzenan Memić. 
Custody was also requested for the arrested, Muamer Ožegović, an employee of the "Crystal Hotel" in Ilidža, where he was employed as a receptionist on the fateful night, but also for members of the Directorate for Coordination of B&amp;H Police Bodies, Nedžad Hrvat and Nebojša Veljović.
A court hearing will be held during the day at the proposal of the Prosecutor's Office.

On a tragic night in Ilidža, Veljović and Hrvat secured diplomatic facilities. The Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina suspects them of concealing evidence.
Specifically, it is suspected that in order to conceal the evidence, they consciously informed their superiors that only one person had been injured, only to later say that "two people were injured"
During the interrogation in this judicial institution today, Mutap did not defend with silence, but actively presented her defense. That was confirmed to us by her lawyer Goran Dragović.
He said Mutap is looking to undergo a polygraph test.
Alisas's father Zijad Mutap and police officers Hasan Dupovac and Josip Barić are in custody.

Custody has also been proposed for Ožegović, Veljović and Hrvat

"Memić" case: Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina requests custody for arrested Alisa Mutap, receptionist and two police officers

Student Jasmin Memić, who protested with his colleagues in front of the building of the American University in Tuzla a month ago, also addressed the journalists in Tuzla today.
The students reported Denis Prcić to the competent prosecutor's office, and the epilogue is today's action in which the premises of the American University in Tuzla and the apartments of the founder Denis Prcić are being searched.

- We are waiting for the issuance of diplomas that we have earned through our hard work. We did not want to be subject to racketeering of director Denis Prcić for 1,500 KM he asked for the issuance of diplomas before the end of the contract. Now the documentation has been returned to him on the condition that he issue diplomas, however he avoids contact with students, he does not want to issue diplomas as it should be according to the protocol. The diplomas should have been issued last year - said Memić.
He added that those who are not in their final year, they cannot even continue their education and must re-enroll at the Faculty.

- Some even miss the high school diplomas that were handed in at enrollment, and it was not returned to them either. It is not easy for younger colleagues because their schooling is frozen and there are no indications that they will start schooling soon.
As for the issuance of diplomas, a five-member Commission has been engaged in front of the Ministry of Education, and we appeal to them to end this agony of students as soon as possible so that we can continue our education - said Memić.

By the way, a student of Prcić's University is also Osman Mehmedagić, the director of ISA. He handed over the diploma to the Commission for the Supervision of the Work of the ISA, but declared it a secret. It was determined that he acquired it in a suspicious manner, which is why the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H is investigating him.

We did not want to be subject to racketeering of director Denis Prcić for 1,500 KM he asked for the issuance of diplomas before the end of the contract

Students received justice: Prcić racketed us, so we reported him

Members of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of the Interior arrested Denis Prcić, the founder and director of the American University in Sarajevo, the "Avaz" portal has learned.
He was arrested after searches of his property and the premises of the American University in Tuzla and Sarajevo. He was handcuffed in the premises of the American University and taken out.
His associates Melisa Belkić Mujkanović and Emir Mujkanović, employees of the American Faculty, were also arrested.
During the search of Prcić's University, members of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of the Interior did not find any evidence that Mehmedagić was ever a student of this higher education institution.

After the processing in the MUP TC, Prcić will be transferred to the premises of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H within the legal deadline, on whose order he was arrested.
On June 10th, he was questioned as a suspect in the premises of the Tuzla Canton Prosecutor's Office.
Prcić was reported to the TC Prosecutor's Office by a larger group of students, from whom he asked for an additional 1,500 KM for the issuance of diplomas, more precisely, they stated in the report that he had racketed them. So far, dozens of witnesses have been examined in this case, and the US Embassy in Sarajevo, of which he is a citizen, has been informed.
However, he is being targeted by the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H for issuing a controversial diploma recently submitted by ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić.
Mehmedagić submitted the diploma he received at the American University to the Commission for Supervision of the Work of the ISA, but he declared it a secret.
However, the investigation established that his name was subsequently added to the list of students.
It is suspected that he enabled the director of the Intelligence and Security Agency of B&amp;H, Mehmedagić, to obtain a diploma in an illegal way.

His associates Melisa Belkić Mujkanović and Emir Mujkanović, employees of the American Faculty, were also arrested

Denis Prcić was arrested on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, there is no evidence that Osmica was ever a student

Some people in the French capital joyfully ditched their masks on Thursday after the government announced the precaution against the coronavirus pandemic would no longer be mandatory outdoors.

But the jubilation was tempered by the knowledge that the virus was still circulating, and some safety measures would still be in force for weeks to come.
-It's a small liberation- Benjamin Grolleau, a Parisian who works in marketing, said of not having to wear a mask any more while outside.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Wednesday that the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors would be waived, citing advice from public health experts and an easing in the numbers of people in hospital with COVID-19.
However, masks must still be worn in most workplaces, in shops, on public transport, and in outdoor spaces where lots of people are gathered, for example in stadiums.
Khaled Saad-Zaghloul, an Egyptian on a work trip to Paris, had a particular reason to welcome the change in rules.
-For those who wear glasses, like me, it's a bit difficult to deal with the fog. It is good to go back to normal- he said.
Chandni Biswasl, a student from India who is studying the luxury goods business, was planning to keep wearing her mask, even when outdoors. She said she had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and had a month to wait for the second.
-So I’m still wearing it (the mask) for my own protection- she said. -I’m still convinced that the virus is around us and it can’t really go if the government decides it’s gone, because it’s still there in the world.-

However, masks must still be worn in most workplaces, in shops, on public transport, and in outdoor spaces where lots of people are gathered, for example in stadiums

People walk in a street in Paris without protective face masks as they are no longer required outdoors, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, France, June 17, 2021.

Paris celebrates, cautiously, as France ditches face masks outdoors

Over 2.5 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given worldwide so far, figures compiled by Our World in Data, a tracking website, showed on Thursday.

China leads the global count with over 945.15 million jabs, followed by the US with 312.92 million.
India has administered 265.51 million shots, Brazil 81.54 million, the UK 72.46 million, Germany 63.65 million, France 45.59 million, Italy 43.6 million, and Mexico 38.25 million.
Turkey ranks 10th on the list with over 38.05 million doses given, followed by Spain, Indonesia and Russia.
The country with the most doses administered by population is the United Arab Emirates, with 142.24 doses per 100 people.
Most COVID-19 vaccines are administered in two doses, so the number of shots given is not the same as the number of individuals fully vaccinated.
Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 3.83 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 177.1 million cases reported worldwide, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University.
The US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries.

The country with the most doses administered by population is the United Arab Emirates, with 142.24 doses per 100 people

China leads the global count with over 945.15 million jabs, followed by the US with 312.92 million

Over 2.5B coronavirus vaccine shots given worldwide

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received on Thursday European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at an event to present the actions planned for Greece's economic recovery.

-We welcome the president of the European Commission at a historic moment for Europe and Greece. It is, I believe, the last act of the turmoil caused by the pandemic and the first of a new era- Mitsotakis said in Athens.
The Greece 2.0 plan will make the country eligible for roughly €31 billion, and the funds from the National Strategic Reference Framework and private actions will be close to €100 billion, he added.
Most of the funds will be directed to the green and digital economy, he said.
-The specific program extends to the remotest corner of our country touching all Greek men and women- he said.
Touching upon the choice of venue -- Ancient Angora -- for the event, Mitsotakis said this region was once the center of Athenian trade and philosophical dialogue.
Von der Leyen in her speech said: "Greece will come out stronger than ever and more prepared."
-We are digitizing our economies. We are making the European green deal a reality. We are equipping our societies to be stronger and resilient. Our plan is worth €800 billion and it is the largest recovery package in Europe since the Marshall plan and it is the recovery Europe needs now and in the future- the EU official underlined.
She also announced that the first disbursement will be made in July, adding that "this is by no means the end of the journey, there is still hard work to do."
-Post-COVID-19 Europe will be greener, more digital, more resilient and better fit for the current and forthcoming challenges- she added.

Greece’s resilience plan will transform economy, says Ursula von der Leyen

EU Commission president in Greece to announce recovery plan

Russia registered a highest single-day spike in COVID-19 related deaths since March 23, as the number of cases continues to grow in the country, health authorities said on Thursday.

According to Russia’s emergency task force, 14,057 new coronavirus cases were reported over the last 24 hours, bringing the overall count to 5.26 million.
The growth in new infections resulted in a higher number of fatalities. Some 416 people died of COVID-19 over the past day, pushing the country’s death toll to 127,992.
Some 11,205 more people recovered from the virus, raising the total number of recoveries to 4.83 million.
At least 296,350 people are currently under treatment in Russia.
On Wednesday, in several Russian regions, including Moscow and Moscow Oblast, authorities ordered mandatory vaccination for employees of the service industry, introducing penalties for non-compliance with the requirement.
Several universities are considering to ban unvaccinated students from attending full-time education.
Some regions encourage people to get vaccinated with additional holidays and other bonuses.
Although Russia was the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine -- Sputnik V -- it lags behind in the rate of vaccinated people, with slightly over 10% of the population having gotten a shot.
Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 3.83 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 177 million cases reported worldwide, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.
The US, India and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries.

Authorities order mandatory vaccination for employees of service industry as COVID-19 cases continue to grow

The growth in new infections resulted in a higher number of fatalities

Russia records highest single-day virus deaths since March 23

At least two people were killed in an apparent act of jealousy in the center of the western German town of Espelkamp, while the perpetrator of the crime is still on the run, local media cited police as saying on Thursday.

After the killing of a woman and a man, heavily armed special police units were deployed throughout the town.
Based on initial information, one person was shot in a house and the other in front of it.
The suspect is still on the run, according to police, he is probably armed.
Police initially suspected an ambush, but they now believe it was motivated by jealousy.
The crime scene is in downtown Espelkamp, a 25,000-person city in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Suspect still on the run as police say he is probably armed

Police initially suspected an ambush, but they now believe it was motivated by jealousy

EU adds 5 new countries to free travel list

Austria to donate million Covid vaccine doses to Balkan states

Half of Germans have first jab but variant fuels fears

B&H Prosecutor's Office on Prcić's arrest and aearch at American University: Three people arrested in Tuzla and Sarajevo

Ambassador Sattler meets with Kordić and Marić

B&H registers 23 new coronavirus cases and four fatalities

Only SBB, led by Radončić, is the alternative to the citizens

Radončić: Montenegro's decision is significant, with the adoption of the Resolution, they put themselves on the right side of history

"Memić" case: Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina requests custody for arrested Alisa Mutap, receptionist and two police officers

Students received justice: Prcić racketed us, so we reported him

Denis Prcić was arrested on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, there is no evidence that Osmica was ever a student

Paris celebrates, cautiously, as France ditches face masks outdoors

Over 2.5B coronavirus vaccine shots given worldwide

EU Commission president in Greece to announce recovery plan

Russia records highest single-day virus deaths since March 23

2 killed in Germany over apparent act of jealousy

News

EU adds 5 new countries to free travel list

Austria to donate million Covid vaccine doses to Balkan states

Half of Germans have first jab but variant fuels fears

B&H Prosecutor's Office on Prcić's arrest and aearch at American University: Three people arrested in Tuzla and Sarajevo

Ambassador Sattler meets with Kordić and Marić

B&H registers 23 new coronavirus cases and four fatalities

Only SBB, led by Radončić, is the alternative to the citizens

Radončić: Montenegro's decision is significant, with the adoption of the Resolution, they put themselves on the right side of history

"Memić" case: Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina requests custody for arrested Alisa Mutap, receptionist and two police officers

Students received justice: Prcić racketed us, so we reported him

Denis Prcić was arrested on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, there is no evidence that Osmica was ever a student

Paris celebrates, cautiously, as France ditches face masks outdoors

Over 2.5B coronavirus vaccine shots given worldwide

EU Commission president in Greece to announce recovery plan

Russia records highest single-day virus deaths since March 23

2 killed in Germany over apparent act of jealousy