The trial of Fadil Novalić and others, accused of buying 100 Chinese ventilators at a price of 10.5 million KM, continued today with the testimony of three employees of the Federal Civil Protection Administration (FCPA).
The first to testify was Harisa Pepeljak, senior clerk for office operations in the General and Legal Affairs Sector of FCPA. She specifically worked on the protocol and confirmed that on April 3rd, 2020, the proposal for the purchase of 100 ventilators was recorded, as well as the contract with Fikret Hodžić's "Silver Raspberry", which states the type of ventilators HC-VE003.

Answering the questions of the state prosecutor Mirza Hukeljić, she said that the contract was accompanied by a specification for the mentioned type of ventilators. The contract for the purchase of the second type of ventilators ACM812A is not recorded nor does it have acceptance stamps.
Also, according to her, the notification about the delay of the ventilators sent by Fikret Hodžić was recorded on April 22, 2020, in which the ACM812A ventilators were listed, and also the same notification with the same text arrived, recorded on April 28, 2020, and read on ventilators type HC-VE003.
It is interesting that these notices also state the sentence that the ventilators arrived at Sarajevo Airport on April 25, 2020.
Witness Pepeljak confirmed that she and her colleague entered in the record book only those offers on the procurement of medical devices and equipment that will be worked on and procured.

The second witness was Meliha Glavinić, FCPA economic technician. She said that on April 3, 2020, Sanita Alagić made an offer to purchase 100 ventilators and gave instructions on how to make the payment. The payment was made on the basis of a procurement offer, and not on the basis of a pro forma invoice, and this was done due to the outbreak of the pandemic. The offer was based on the HC-VE033 ventilators type.
Witness Glavinić said that Alagić came after 10, 15 days and took the complete case, which was never returned.
Fahrudin Solak said that it was not clear to him why this witness was telling lies, because when Alagić made the offer, the witness was not present and that she entered in the book of incoming invoices only what her colleague Nermina Fejzić told her to enter.
Selma Hadžić, technical secretary in the office of FCPA director Fahrudin Solak, also testified. She confirmed that all the offers that arrived in the emails were printed and submitted to the director.
She said she did not read the contents of those offers.
The trial is due to continue on December 1, 2021.

The first to testify was Harisa Pepeljak, senior clerk for office operations in the Sector for General and Legal Affairs of the FCPA

"Ventilators" affair: Witness claims that Solak's assistant took the case about the procurement of devices and never returned them

The President of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, sent congratulations to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion of Statehood Day.
- November 25th is a great day for our homeland, one of the most important dates in its thousand-year history. On that day in 1943, at the First Session of ZAVNOBiH in Mrkonjić Grad, statehood was restored and the historical borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina were confirmed, and the commitment of all its peoples and citizens to live in a country of equality, unity and solidarity was strengthened.
Even today, 78 years after the session of ZAVNOBiH, we can confirm the millennial state continuity of our homeland and send a message of its unquestionable future. In these challenging times for our homeland, all its peoples and citizens, it is extremely important to do everything together to make it a country of a better future, prosperity, development, justice and equal opportunities - said the Press Center of SBB.

In these challenging times for our homeland, all its peoples and citizens, it is extremely important to do everything together to make it a country of a better future, prosperity, development, justice and equal opportunities

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated the citizens of B&H on Statehood Day

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid held separate meetings yesterday with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, Šefik Džaferović and Milorad Dodik. 

The meetings confirmed that the visit takes place during a particularly complex and challenging period for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- It was​ clear to me that there is a difference in outlook when it comes to key challenges and their resolution. From my side, I conveyed to all Presidency members the urgent need to decrease tensions, cease the use of divisive rhetoric and to restore the full functionality of State-level institutions - she stressed. 
Schmid urged political leaders to focus on implementing reforms and dealing with the real problems citizens face, for instance unemployment, corruption, and the need for quality, inclusive education.
- The ongoing crisis is negatively affecting the economy and discouraging investment. The aggregate result of these factors is the continued outflow of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially young people - she said. 
Schmid also raised with all interlocutors the critical need for electoral reform. 
- Citizens are losing faith in elections, which undermines the very foundation of democracy. Citizens are losing faith in elections, which undermines the very foundation of democracy. Constructive engagement is needed to amend the B&amp;H Election Law in line with international standards. I underlined that the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), together with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stand ready to provide expertise and facilitation in support of this critical effort - she stated. 
The OSCE, including through the OSCE Mission, will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in keeping with the mandate provided under the Dayton Peace Accords.
- We will continue to focus on building trust, reconciliation and reform. Ultimately, responsibility rests with the country’s leaders to make the right decisions and to move forward. The many positive success stories at the local level across the country serve as an inspiration in this regard, and as proof that positive change is possible - Scmid concluded, OSCE announced.&nbsp;

The meetings confirmed that the visit takes place during a particularly complex and challenging period for Bosnia and Herzegovina

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi today, after the meetings with B&amp;H officials, said that his message to domestic leaders was to commit to political dialogue and reviving the European agenda for B&amp;H.

- Only then can this country fully realize all the benefits that come from European Union programs and funds, including the European investment package, which is a fundamental package of EU assistance aimed at improving the economy and supporting the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic - said Várhelyi.
He says that B&amp;H is an important beneficiary of this program and its implementation would enable the implementation of those key projects, which were previously agreed with the local authorities.
- However, this realization, in turn, requires urgent action. Some of the examples of projects are in the field of transport, such as Corridor Vc, which includes not only the motorway but also the railway traffic. Then demining of the Sava River, securing the road connection on the route Sarajevo - Podgorica, the gas interconnection between B&amp;H and Croatia. In general, this whole plan represents a significant chance for B&amp;H to completely transform its existing economic model and to make a step forward in terms of green and digital transformation, i.e .to go further in the direction of gradually reducing dependence on coal as raw material - said Várhelyi.
He also underlined that in order to fully enjoy all the benefits that come through this type of assistance, it is necessary to have urgent measures and activities to be taken, and in order to ensure the right assistance, including in the context of recovery after the pandemic.
- We need to have functional institutions at the level of B&amp;H. Decisions are still awaited that will ensure the realization of significant investments. Otherwise, there is a danger that these infrastructure investments will be lost. We are talking about almost 1.5 billion euros of infrastructure investments or 90 million euros that still remain for implementation under IPA for 2022. Without these urgent decisions, there is a danger for B&amp;H not to be a participant in the next year and numerous other programs such as the Creative Europe and Horizon 2020 programs, - Várhelyi emphasized.
He conveyed the message to the political leaders to use the existing offer of the European Union in the sense of political and financial support provided to B&amp;H, which will enable its recovery.
- That is why it is necessary to have a constructive dialogue and the will of all parties and stakeholders. Any boycott and blockades on either side are absolutely unacceptable and do not benefit anyone. We expect all political leaders to bring back their attention on the implementation of reforms - said Várhelyi, who is on a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Only then can this country fully realize all the benefits that come from European Union programs and funds, including the European investment package

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

This morning, the Foreigners Affairs Service of BiH (SPS) undertook operational activities aimed at controlling the movement and stay of migrants in the area of ​​Velika Kladuša, Cazin and the city of Bihać in order to relocate migrants from abandoned facilities to the temporary reception center Lipa.

The SPS inspectors controlled the movement and stay of migrants at the locations of Bosanska Bojna, Hadžin Potok, Crnaja, Turija, the Hippodrome, Elezovići, Kamenica and Stens.
At all these locations, inspectors for foreigners found a total of 30 people, originally from Afghanistan and Pakistan, of whom four were family members, 21 single persons and five unaccompanied minors.
The Service for Foreigners' Affairs relocated the mentioned migrants to the temporary reception center Lipa, where they were provided with medical assistance in accordance with epidemiological measures, their identification and registration, and accommodation, food and other non-food products.
Considering that five unaccompanied minors were found during the implementation of these activities, the competent Center for Social Work Velika Kladuša was informed in order to initiate the procedures for determining guardianship.

The SPS inspectors controlled the movement and stay of migrants at the locations of Bosanska Bojna, Hadžin Potok, Crnaja, Turija, the Hippodrome, Elezovići, Kamenica and Stens

Inspectors for foreigners found a total of 30 people

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people were burned to death early Tuesday in a bus accident in western Bulgaria.

The bus with North Macedonian license plate caught fire after crashing into a roadside barrier on a highway near the Pernik city, west of Sofia, according to private television NOVA.
Initial reports indicated 12 children were among those killed, while seven people injured in the accident were taken to a hospital in the capital.
It was reported that the bus departed Istanbul on Monday and entered Bulgaria late that night.

Among killed are 12 children as bus bursts into flames, according to private television

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Salakovac Refugee Reception Center received on Tuesday IT equipment provided by the B&amp;H Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees through the project "Support to the system of reception and integration of B&amp;H citizens returning under readmission agreements", which is implemented with the support of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The value of the project is 600,000 euros, and IT equipment worth 106,000 KM was procured for 20 local communities, i.e. 47 computers and 43 multifunctional devices, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of B&amp;H announced.
The aim is to strengthen local communities technically so that they can develop a system of monitoring and evaluation in providing support for the reintegration of persons returning under readmission.
The project led by the Ministry in cooperation with the implementing partner "Hilfswerk International" is of great importance for all actors involved in the readmission process.
The implementation of the project will continue the coordination of all levels of government in B&amp;H through the formation and construction of missing capacities, while fulfilling internationally accepted obligations, and enable the smooth acceptance and integration of others.

The value of the project is 600,000 euros, and IT equipment worth 106,000 KM was procured for 20 local communities, i.e. 47 computers and 43 multifunctional devices

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Members of the Collegia of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina talked today with the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Helga Maria Schmid, who is on a working visit to B&amp;H, about the current situation in B&amp;H.

The meeting was attended by the Speaker and Vice-Speakers of the House of Representatives of the B&amp;H Parliamentary Assembly Denis Zvizdić, Nebojša Radmanović and Borjana Krišto, as well as the Deputy Speakers of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of B&amp;H Nikola Špirić and Bakir Izetbegović.
Thanking the members of the leadership of both houses of the PAB&amp;H for the long-term excellent cooperation that state institutions, especially the PAB&amp;H, achieved with the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H, Schmid expressed concern over the current political crisis in B&amp;H and the non-functioning of state institutions.
The senior OSCE official stressed the need for state institutions to start functioning at full capacity and advocated avoiding the rhetoric of divisions and secessionism, which she said were a huge obstacle to investment and reform on B&amp;H's European path.
Schmid appealed to the highest officials of the PAB&amp;H to establish a constructive dialogue in BiH on all open issues, and especially emphasized the issue of electoral reform and the adoption of amendments to the B&amp;H Election Law that would eliminate sources of discrimination in the electoral process and resolve technical issues that would preserve the integrity and ensure greater transparency of the electoral process.
In this regard, Schmid offered all the necessary support and assistance of the OSCE Mission, as well as partner international organizations working to promote democracy and electoral processes throughout Europe and the world.
Members of the leadership of both houses of the PABiH presented their views on the current situation in B&amp;H and possible directions for resolving the political crisis and open issues.
They stressed the complexity of the political situation, the need to preserve peace, establish dialogue and build trust, as well as the need for the European Union to show a clear intention to expand to the Western Balkans and accelerate the European integration process for all countries in the region.
At the meeting, which was attended by the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec, members of the collegium of both houses of the PAB&amp;H expressed gratitude to the OSCE Mission for support and implemented projects in the field of rule of law, anti-corruption, institution-building and areas of improving the electoral and educational process in B&amp;H.
As announced, the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid will inform all 57 OSCE participating States about the results of the visit to B&amp;H.

The senior OSCE official stressed the need for state institutions to start functioning at full capacity and advocated avoiding the rhetoric of divisions and secessionism

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

The Ukrainian foreign minister said on Monday that whether Russia will launch a new attack on his country depends on the strength of his country and its partners.

Speaking to the Ukraine 24 TV channel, Dmytro Kuleba said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is mulling a new attack on Ukraine.
- Two factors will determine whether he (Putin) will implement this option; firstly, our own strength and the composure of the Ukrainians, and secondly, the strength and coordination of our partners - he stressed. 
Underlining that they need to demonstrate maximum effectiveness as a society and state in the coming months, he urged the people not to panic.
Russia has been trying to destabilize Ukraine in many ways since 2014, he said, adding that Russia's main aim is to make Ukraine as weak as possible by destabilizing the country internally and by preventing it from cooperation in the defense sector with other countries.
Earlier this month, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Russia has continued its military buildup near its border and has stationed 90,000 Russian troops, according to The Associated Press.
Russia seized and occupied Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and remains the de facto authority there. Moscow also that year began to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine against the central government, a policy that it has maintained over the past seven years.
Its spring buildup led to concerns then of an imminent invasion of Ukraine, but Moscow drew down its forces beginning in April.

Russia’s possible attack depends on strength of Ukraine, its partners, says Dmytro Kuleba

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Rumen Radev won the runoff of the presidential elections in Bulgaria on Sunday, according to exit polls.

Alphe Research’s poll said Radev and Vice President Iliyana Yotova received 63.9 % of the votes, while Sofia University Rector Anastas Gerdjikov and Col. Nevyana Miteva received 33.1%.
A total of 3% of the voters did not support any of the candidates.
Out of 6.66 million registered voters in Bulgaria, only 2.5 million voters cast their ballots, and the turnout in the election remained at 33.7%.
A total of 90,000 votes came from Turkey in the first round, while the number of votes in the second round was around 23,000.
Voter turnout was only 40.2% and no candidate collected more than half of the votes in the first round of the elections in the Balkan country.
Mustafa Karadayi, the head of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms party, the only candidate representing ethnic Turks and other Muslims, came third in the first round with 11.5% of the votes.
Over 6.6 million citizens were registered to vote at 13,200 polling stations in Bulgaria and 750 centers in 67 other countries.
Turkey, home to many dual Bulgarian nationals, had 58 polling stations for Sunday’s vote.

Rumen Radev received 63.9 % of votes, according to Alphe Research’s poll

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

Germany’s health minister on Monday sounded alarm about the surge in coronavirus infections, and urged everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and receive their booster shots.

- Probably by the end of this winter, almost everyone in Germany, will have been either vaccinated, recovered, or died … some are telling this in a cynical way…but it’s indeed the case - Jens Spahn told a news conference in Berlin.
Germany is struggling through the country’s worst wave of the pandemic, as active COVID-19 cases hit a record high of 637,200 on Monday.
The figure, which is an estimate of the number of people who are currently sick, has exceeded the peaks of the previous three waves of the pandemic.
Spahn called on those who still have doubts about the jabs to get vaccinated, stressing that this offers strong protection against severe disease from COVID-19.
He also said getting a vaccine is not just a personal choice but a moral and societal responsibility, as unvaccinated allow the virus to spread.
Germany’s vaccination rate remains far behind the 75% goal of the government, which experts say is necessary to prevent an exponential rise in new infections.
Despite public awareness campaigns launched by the government, many are still skeptical about the coronavirus vaccines.
As of Monday, 56.5 million people, or 68% of the country’s population, have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. So far, nearly 5.8 million booster shots have been administered across the country.

Jens Spahn calls on everyone to get vaccinated, booster shots amid sharp rise in coronavirus infections in Germany

German minister: Everyone will be jabbed, recovered, or die by winter's end

Kenyans who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be denied access to in-person government services beginning Dec. 21, an official said Sunday.

Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told a press conference that the government had resorted to the radical move to support its COVID-19 vaccination program to ensure that all Kenyans are safe from the pandemic.
- Everybody seeking in-person government services should be fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination availed by Dec. 21, 2021. Such services will include but [are] not limited to KRA [Kenya Revenue Authority] services, education, immigration services, hospital and prison visitation, NTSA [National Transport and Safety Authority] and port services.&nbsp;Those who have been vaccinated will not risk their lives serving those who have refused to be vaccinated. The key reason why all of us need to be vaccinated is to ensure that we keep the economy going - Kagwe added.Twenty-two people in Kenya tested positive for the disease Sunday from a sample size of 3,191 tested in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate in the country is now at 0.7%.
The total number of confirmed positive cases in the country is 254,710 while the number of deaths totals 5,328. The number of tests conducted so far totals 2,798,001.
A total of 6,388,427 vaccines had been administered nationwide as of Sunday. Of these, 3,986,501 have been partially vaccinated and 2,401,926 fully vaccinated.

Kenyans will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination in order to receive key services as of Dec. 21

Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe told a press conference that the government had resorted to the radical move to support its COVID-19 vaccination program

Kenya to deny government services to those not fully vaccinated

Laboratories in Belgium are struggling to cope with the demand for COVID-19 tests amid a rapidly rising number of infections, local media reported on Monday.

According to daily De Morgen, the surge in COVID-19 cases has pushed many private facilities in charge of processing PCR tests to seek help from the federal network of laboratories, especially in the Flanders region.
At the same time, the national testing platform is also facing capacity problems since the government slashed monthly funding from €720,000 ($813,000) to €270,000 ($305,000) per lab last month.
The reason for the cut was that labs were not delivering the daily target of 2,000 tests because of decreased demand.
The rise in demand for PCR tests is also attributed to the fact that unvaccinated people need to show negative results to enter cafes and restaurants and participate in events with more than 50 people.
New measures to curb the virus spike entered into force in Belgium on Monday, including working from home being mandatory for four days a week, except for sectors that require physical presence of workers.
Everyone above the age of 10 is required to wear a mask on public transport, at restaurants and other entertainment venues, indoor events with over 50 people and outdoor events with more than 100 people.
- There is a real explosion in infections. We must intervene everywhere, and we have to do it strongly - Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said as he announced the new rules last week.
More than 21,500 COVID-19 infections were reported in the country on Friday, while the average for daily cases was close to 14,000 last week.
Despite the alarming jump in infections, thousands of people turned out for huge protests against the tightened restrictions over the weekend.
Some 35,000 people marched in the capital Brussels and police had to use tear gas and water cannons as the protesters threw objects at officers, damaged cars, and set garbage bins on fire.​​​​​​​

Private labs seek government help as virus cases spike across Belgium

According to daily De Morgen, the surge in COVID-19 cases has pushed many private facilities in charge of processing PCR tests to seek help from the federal network of laboratories, especially in the Flanders region

Labs in Belgium unable to cope with surging demand for COVID-19 tests

India recorded 8,488 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest count in 538 days, the Health Ministry said Monday.

- India's active caseload stands at 118,443, the lowest in 534 days. Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.34%, the lowest since March 2020 - the ministry said in a statement.
With Monday's cases, the country’s total number of confirmed infections has reached 34.5 million, while the death toll stands at 465,911, including 249 new fatalities.
India is now seeing a decline in daily cases after an unprecedented rise earlier this year when daily cases even crossed 400,000 and daily fatalities reached 4,500.
The country’s ongoing vaccination drive had reached 1,165,055,210 doses as of Sunday evening, according to the ministry.

Health Ministry says figure is lowest in 538 days

India recorded 8,488 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours

India registers 8,488 new COVID-19 cases

The FB&amp;H Ministry of Labor and Social Policy informs the public that the Law on the Proclamation of November 25 as the Statehood Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina stipulates that the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a national holiday, and on that day state bodies, enterprises and other legal entities will not work.

Accordingly, November 25 - Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is celebrated as a national holiday only one day on the day of the national holiday, and Thursday, November 25, 2021, will be a non-working day, the Ministry announced.&nbsp;

November 25 will be a non-working day

State bodies, enterprises and other legal entities will not work

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sifet Podžić, received today the Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, on the occasion of the end of his one-year mandate.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Defense for Resource Management Mirko Okolić, as well as Assistant Minister of Defense of B&amp;H for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović.
Minister Podžić thanked General Folkestad for the support of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo during his mandate and expressed his expectation for the continuation of successful cooperation.
Cooperation in the Reform Program, the Planning and Audit Process (PARP), the Operational Capability Assessment Program and the building of integrity in the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of B&amp;H were especially emphasized.
General Folkestad once again emphasized the commitment of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo to continue cooperation, and thanked for the correct and successful cooperation.
He emphasized that in the continuation of his professional career, he will help Bosnia and Herzegovina in its development and on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration, announced the B&amp;H Ministry of Defense.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Defense for Resource Management Mirko Okolić, as well as Assistant Minister of Defense of B&H for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović

"Ventilators" affair: Witness claims that Solak's assistant took the case about the procurement of devices and never returned them

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated the citizens of B&H on Statehood Day

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

German minister: Everyone will be jabbed, recovered, or die by winter's end

Kenya to deny government services to those not fully vaccinated

Labs in Belgium unable to cope with surging demand for COVID-19 tests

India registers 8,488 new COVID-19 cases

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Folkestad emphasizes the commitment of NATO HQ to continue cooperation

News

"Ventilators" affair: Witness claims that Solak's assistant took the case about the procurement of devices and never returned them

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated the citizens of B&H on Statehood Day

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

German minister: Everyone will be jabbed, recovered, or die by winter's end

Kenya to deny government services to those not fully vaccinated

Labs in Belgium unable to cope with surging demand for COVID-19 tests

India registers 8,488 new COVID-19 cases

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Folkestad emphasizes the commitment of NATO HQ to continue cooperation