At least two people were killed in a fire that erupted in a COVID-19 hospital in the central Romanian city of Ploiesti, according to local authorities on Thursday.

Police spokesperson Mihaela Florescu said the blaze broke out for an unknown reason in the infectious disease wing of the state hospital.
She underlined that two patients connected to the breathing apparatus died in the fire.
Noting that 20 patients in the hospital were evacuated, Florescu said a hospital employee was injured while trying to extinguish the fire.
In Romania, currently undergoing the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden on the health system and hospitals increased significantly.
The blaze in the Ploiesti hospital was the fourth fire that broke out in the country's COVID-19 hospital during the pandemic.
Romania to date reported over 1.72 million coronavirus cases and nearly 52,000 pandemic-related fatalities, according to the US' Johns Hopkins University.

Also, 1 medical employee injured in blaze in infectious disease wing of state hospital in central Romanian city of Ploiesti

Blaze broke out for an unknown reason in the infectious disease wing of the state hospital

Fire kills at least 2 people in COVID-19 hospital in Romania

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the migration crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border in a telephone talk with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a second time in as many days, according to the Kremlin.

- The leaders continued their discussion of the situation on the Belarusian borders with the European Union and confirmed the importance of settling the acute migration crisis as soon as possible in accordance with international humanitarian standards - it said in a statement.
Putin once again urged the EU to restore contacts with Belarus to resolve the problem.
The leaders also spoke about the situation in Ukraine with the Russian leader drawing Merkel's attention to the use of drones by Ukrainian armed forces, which violates the Minsk Agreement.
- President Putin noted Kiev’s destructive policy, which is relying increasingly on force. Thus, it is using assault drones in violation of the Minsk Package of Measures,” it said. “The destabilizing and dangerous provocations by the armed forces of the United States and other NATO countries in the Black Sea were also noted.-

Russian leader reiterates call for EU to talk directly to Belarus

Putin, Merkel hold 2nd phone talk in 2 days about migration crisis on Belarusian-Polish border

Members of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) rejected the request of the President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ranko Debevec not to publish the disciplinary decision against him, said after the session in Banja Luka the President of the Council Halil Lagumdžija.
He clarified that the decision in the case against the President of the Court of B&amp;H will be made public in an anonymized form after the HJPC rejected the Commissioner's request not to publish the public disciplinary decision made in his case.
The HJPC has not previously published a disciplinary decision releasing the President of the State Court, Ranko Debevec, because he must first decide on his defense counsel's request that the decision not be published.
Debevec was acquitted after the HJPC's Second Instance Disciplinary Commission upheld his appeal and dismissed in full the disciplinary action charging him with “conduct in and out of court that damages the reputation of the judicial office and intentionally providing false, misleading and insufficient information regarding with any other matters within the competence of the Council ”. He was punished with a public reprimand by the first-instance decision.
Debevec was acquired after the HJPC’s Second Instance Disciplinary Commission upheld his appeal and dismissed in full the disciplinary action charging him with “conduct in and out of court that damages the reputation of the judicial office and intentionally providing false, misleading and insufficient information regarding any other matters within the competence of the Council ”. He was punished with a public reprimand by the first-instance decision.
Debevec was also charged with the same claim that, since 2004, with the exception of 2009, he had deliberately provided insufficient information on property abroad, ie Spain, through personal financial reports submitted to the HJPC.

Lagumdžija clarified that the decision in the case against the President of the Court of B&H will be made public in anonymized form

Debevec: Acquitted on all counts, but the decision was never made public

The HJPC will announce a disciplinary decision against Ranko Debevec

A delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by B&amp;H Defense Minister Sifet Podžić, attended a ceremony marking the Armistice Day, organized today in Sarajevo by the French Embassy in B&amp;H.

In the presence of the diplomatic representatives of the countries whose ambassadors are accredited in B&amp;H, EUFOR and the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo, French Ambassador Christine Toudic laid a wreath at the monument to French soldiers killed for France and peace in B&amp;H since 1992 and read an address by the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War of the Republic of France.
In addition to B&amp;H Defense Minister Sifet Podžić, who joined Ambassador Toudic in an honorary salute, the military ceremony was attended by B&amp;H Assistant Minister of Defense for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović, senior officers of the B&amp;H Joint Staff, as well as members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces Military Orchestra, announced the Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of B&amp;H.

French Ambassador Christine Toudic laid a wreath at the monument to French soldiers killed for France and peace in B&H since 1992

Delegation of B&H MoD at the ceremony marking the Armistice Day

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović met with Dietmar Koester, Member of the Socialist Group and the German SPD in the European Parliament. They discussed the current security and political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Džaferović stressed that the ruling structures in RS, led by Milorad Dodik, are attacking state institutions against the foundations of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
He said that the laws announced by Dodik can be implemented only with the illegal use of force, and the illegal use of force against state institutions is a frontal blow to peace.
B&amp;H Presidency member Džaferović informed Koester about the blockades of institutions that have been carried out by representatives of the RS entities for three years, to a greater or lesser extent, on various occasions, through non-appearance or voting against all decisions, which harms the state and all citizens.
He also pointed out that the blockade was accompanied by unilateral attacks on the Office of the High Representative, as the only constitutional mechanism for unblocking institutions.
Special attention was paid to the activities and plans of the European Parliament, and especially the group of friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding the situation in B&amp;H and the region of the Western Balkans, the Presidency of B&amp;H announced.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

They discussed the current security and political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Džaferović spoke with a representative of the Socialist Group and German SPD

The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted today the Action Plan for the Fight against Corruption for the period from 2021 until the adoption of the Strategy in FB&amp;H, which will be published on the FB&amp;H Government website.

The plan includes chapters on preventing and combating corruption, developing awareness of its harmfulness, as well as cooperating with civil society, and coordinating, monitoring and evaluating anti-corruption activities, the FB&amp;H Government's Press Service said.
The plan specified the activities and deadlines for their implementation, as well as the holders of activities. The team formed by the FB&amp;H Government revised the previous plan and noticed its shortcomings, and adjusted the new one to the situation in the FB&amp;H institutions, so a lot has been done on the division of tasks within the competences of the institutions.

The plan includes chapters on preventing and combating corruption, developing awareness of its harmfulness, as well as cooperating with civil society, and coordinating, monitoring and evaluating anti-corruption activities

FB&H Government adopts a new Anti-Corruption Action Plan

The US is facilitating the first delivery of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s coronavirus vaccines to people living in conflict zones and other humanitarian settings, the nation's secretary of state said Wednesday.

Antony Blinken, who spoke at a virtual COVID-19 ministerial meeting, announced the US has helped broker a deal between Johnson &amp; Johnson’s and COVAX to send the vaccines.
- We're eager for people in these difficult circumstances to get protection against COVID-19 as soon as possible. We know the urgency of this fight-&nbsp; said the top diplomat.&nbsp;- We've got to be relentless because this pandemic is relentless. And we have to be coordinated, united, because that's what a global health emergency like this requires.-This is the first time the US has gathered foreign ministers to discuss how to end the COVID-19 pandemic since it began nearly two years ago.Blinken said the pandemic is not just a health crisis but a security, economic and humanitarian crisis.- That's why we need foreign ministers to step up and lead as well - he said.
He also said in North America and Europe, more than half the population is fully vaccinated but in Africa, it falls to less than 10%.
- We got to close that gap - he said.
According to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus data tracker, 250 million people have been infected with the virus and 5 million have died since December 2019.

"We're eager for people in these difficult circumstances to get protection against COVID-19", says US diplomat

US says it brokered deal to send COVID vaccine to conflict zones

Two Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers carried out a patrol in the airspace of Belarus on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The aircraft checked out air defense systems and interoperability with ground command posts of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus, the ministry said in a statement.
The exercise came amid heightened tensions between Belarus and Poland over a migration crisis that has escalated this week.
On Monday, Polish authorities deployed about 15,000 troops along the border to stop migrants heading to the EU who enter the country after passing through Belarus.
The heavy deployment has sparked concern in Russia, with the Kremlin saying it is closely monitoring “the alarming situation” and urging all parties to behave responsibly.​​​​​​​

Russian, Belarusian militaries carried out joint training tasks, says Russian Defense Ministry

The exercise came amid heightened tensions between Belarus and Poland over a migration crisis that has escalated this week

Russian bombers patrol Belarus airspace amid Poland border tensions

Poland's defense minister said Wednesday his country continues to struggle with a recent migration flow at its eastern border with Belarus.

Mariusz Blaszczak told Polish Radio that multiple attempts to break through a border fence were witnessed late Tuesday.
- All those who managed to pass through have been detained - said Błaszczak, citing reports from the army.
Underlining that security forces in the region are doing their best to ensure border security, he said military support for border guards has been increased to 15,000 troops and could rise further, if necessary.
The Defense Ministry posted a video on Twitter showing how Belarusian security services "are intimidating migrants by firing shots in their presence."
Tensions between Poland and Belarus escalated Monday after nearly 4,000 migrants, mostly from Middle East countries, headed to the Polish border and tried to breach the barriers.
Polish authorities deployed about 15,000 troops along the border on Monday to stop migrants heading to the EU who enter the country after passing through Belarus.
The heavy deployment has sparked concern in Russia, with the Kremlin saying it is closely monitoring “the alarming situation” and urging all parties to behave responsibly.​​​​​​​
The EU accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of engaging in a form of “hybrid” warfare and using migrants as a weapon to destabilize European countries.

"All those who managed to pass through’ to EU ‘have been detained", says Mariusz Błaszczak

Irregular migrants continue to wait at the Polish-Belarusian border on November 10, 2021 in Belarus

Poland’s defense chief reports multiple attempts by migrants to pass through Polish frontier

The German chancellor and Russian president discussed the Poland-Belarus border crisis in a phone talk on Wednesday.

Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said the chancellor called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence on Belarus to stop the use of migrants as a political tool to exert pressure on the EU.
- She underlined that the instrumentalization of migrants by the Belarusian regime is inhumane and unacceptable - Seibert said on Twitter.
Tensions between Poland and Belarus escalated on Monday after nearly 4,000 migrants, mostly from the Middle East countries, headed to the Polish border and tried to breach the barriers.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of engineering the migration crisis.
A Kremlin statement emphasized that Putin told Merkel that the EU should discuss the migration crisis directly with Belarus.
The statement said both the leaders discussed the refugee situation on the borders of Belarus with the EU countries and expressed concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the migration crisis.
Putin proposed direct talks between the representatives of the EU member states and Belarus to address the problems, the Kremlin said.
The leaders agreed to continue the conversation on this topic, the statement added.
The EU accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of engaging in a form of “hybrid” warfare and using migrants as a weapon to destabilize the European countries.

German chancellor calls on Russian president to use his influence on Belarus to stop use of migrants as political tool

Merkel speaks with Putin as Poland-Belarus border crisis escalates

High Representative Christian Schmidt visited today three key state institutions located in Banja Luka, the B&amp;H Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange (IDDEEA), the B&amp;H Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA), and B&amp;H Agency for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, to show his support and express appreciation for the important work these institutions are doing for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- The institutions I visited today provide indispensable services to all citizens of this country. Attempts to undermine such state institutions not only constitute a serious challenge from a legal and political point of view but would also result in overwhelming practical problems for citizens. Without these institutions, citizens would be deprived of personal and travel documents, effectively preventing them from traveling and interacting with the rest of the world. Financial flows to all levels of government would be interrupted with essential services for citizens being jeopardized. Of particular concern, during this global pandemic, citizens would be deprived of a reliable supply of high-quality medicine - said the High Representative.
The High Representative used this opportunity to express his gratitude for the immense contribution these three agencies, along with all other state-level institutions, provide to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated the OHR.&nbsp;

Attempts to undermine such state institutions not only constitute a serious challenge from a legal and political point of view but would also result in overwhelming practical problems for citizens, he emphasized

HR Schmidt gives support to key state institutions in Banja Luka

The ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board issued a joint statement today. In light of recent attempts to undermine his role, the Ambassadors of the PIC Steering Board reiterate their firm support to the authority and mandate of the High Representative as guardian of the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The High Representative’s role is vital if B&amp;H is to fulfil the 5+2 conditions and subsequently graduate from international supervision, moving closer to the EU.
The main responsibility for achieving these objectives lies with the authorities and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We call upon all levels of government to assume their responsibilities and fulfil the mandate given to them by voters. Greater political will is needed to make progress against shared goals and to overcome division.
Destabilizing and divisive rhetoric or acts, including undermining state institutions and reforms which have provided stability, financial benefit and functionality for all of B&amp;H, must stop. This is not in the interest of any BiH citizen or company and diverts attention from much-needed action and reforms on the European path.
We reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to the existence of B&amp;H as a single and sovereign state comprising of two entities and Brčko District.
We commend the High Representative for his commitment to engagement with all parties. We welcome the High Representative’s focus on the issue of State and Military Property and we urge all political actors to fully cooperate with the OHR in the pursuit of a functional resolution in the interest of B&amp;H and its Entities.
We confirm the continuous importance of EUFOR/Althea in ensuring a safe and secure environment in B&amp;H, which remains a precondition for a peaceful and stable development to the benefit of all citizens. We, therefore, welcome the renewal of the mandate of EUFOR/Althea for another 12 months by the UNSC on November 03, 2021.
Together with HR Christian Schmidt, we, members of the PIC SB, continue to stand ready to assist and support local actors in their endeavours to ensure a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for all citizens in B&amp;H, stated the OHR.&nbsp;The Russian Federation does not join this Statement.

The High Representative’s role is vital if B&H is to fulfil the 5+2 conditions and subsequently graduate from international supervision, moving closer to the EU

The ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board issued a joint statement today

PIC ambassadors reiterate their strong support for the HR's mandate

Fahrudin Radončić, the leader of SBB B&amp;H, commented today for the "Avaz" portal on the meeting of opposition parties organized by the president of SDP B&amp;H Nermin Nikšić, at which eight conclusions were adopted.
- Today's meeting should be viewed in the broader context of the joint efforts of the international community and the domestic political factor to reach a compromise and clear positions on changes to the Constitution and the Election Law of B&amp;H. Given that the conclusions are known, I just want to add that I thank the US government and Brussels for helping to resolve the extremely difficult situation, where a step forward in resolving today's issues that were discussed at the meeting is very important - said Radončić.

Given that the conclusions are known, I just want to add that I thank the US government and Brussels for their help in resolving the extremely difficult situation

Radončić: Thanks to the US government and Brussels for their help

Radončić: The meeting should be viewed in the broader context of the joint efforts of the international community and domestic forces

In the continuation of the trial of Federal Prime Minister Fadil Novalić and others accused of procuring 100 Chinese ventilators at a cost of 10.5 million KM, the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina continued with the direct questioning of Sanita Alagić, Assistant Director of the Federal Administration's Director Fahrudin Solak, otherwise the head of the Sector for Finance and Public Procurement.

Alagić stated that she received information from the Commander of the Federal Civil Protection Staff, Jelka Milićević, that the FB&amp;H Government had found a supplier of ventilators.
The witness confirmed that on April 2, 2020, the Federal Administration of the Central Committee received offers from the company "Silver Raspberry" for the purchase of 100 ventilators. Alagić said that there were three offers. The day before, as she said, she had prepared a decision to allocate funds for the purchase of ventilators.
On April 3, Solak signed a contract with Fikret Hodžić and the company "Silver Raspberry". Those decisions and the contract related to the procurement of the HCV003 ventilators. Two or three days later, the witness claims, director Fahrudin Solak called her and informed her that he had called Fikret Hodžić and that an error had occurred and that the contract should state "purchase of ACM812A ventilators".

<h2>The first two pages of the contract</h2>

As Alagić explained, the price was the same for both contracts. She corrected the contract and other decisions were also corrected, and she claimed today that the first two pages of the contract listing the type of HCV003 ventilators probably had to remain in their office. She denied the allegations from the investigation, when she stated in her statement that she most likely threw away those pages.
By the way, the state prosecutor Džermin Pašić quoted witness Alagić on several occasions today from her allegations from the investigation, which she claims today are not true and that they are in fact the constructions of the prosecutor. Prosecutor Pašić said at one point that in the end he claimed that the witness was not telling the truth today.

Alagić stated that she received information from the Commander of the Federal Civil Protection Staff, Jelka Milićević, that the FB&H Government had found a supplier of ventilators

Arrival of Fadil Novalić at today's hearing

Trial in "Ventilators" affair continues: Prosecutor Pašić claims that witness Alagić is not telling the truth

At 12 o'clock, a meeting organized by the President of the Social Democratic Party of B&amp;H, Nermin Nikšić, began with representatives of the opposition parliamentary parties from the Federation of B&amp;H, which operate in the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the B&amp;H Parliament.
The meeting comes after more and more frequent attacks on the constitutional order of B&amp;H and the announcement of the removal of competencies from B&amp;H. Joint action is being agreed on.
The meeting is attended by the leader of SBB Fahrudin Radončić, the president of the NIP Elmedin Konaković, the president of the PDA Mirsad Kukić and Denis Zvizdić.
After the meeting,they will adress the media.

The meeting comes after more frequent attacks on the constitutional order of B&H and the announcement of the removal of competencies from B&H

B&H Parliament: Joint action is being agreed on

Nikšić gathered representatives of the opposition from FB&H, and joint action at the state level is being agreed

The Institute for Genocide Research Canada (IGC) has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H against Tanjug's journalist Marko Trošić for denying the genocide in Srebrenica. 

According to the IGC in a press release, during the interview of B&amp;H Presidency Chairman Željko Komšić in his office, Trošić denied the genocide in Srebrenica which was established by final verdicts of international and national courts, in which he committed the crime under Article 145a paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code of B&amp;H.
As proof of the allegations made, the IGC submitted material evidence from the media which clearly and unequivocally shows the denial of the Srebrenica genocide.
Namely, the mentioned journalist expressed his own opinion, which is not based on judicial, historical and scientific facts about the genocide in Srebrenica. During the interview, the journalist first said that he would not agree with the statement that there was genocide, and then that his position was not important.
- The journalist, therefore, did not express the facts, but his own comment and opinion, which directly deny judicial, scientific and historical facts about the genocide in Srebrenica. By denying the genocide in Srebrenica, the journalist humiliated the victims of genocide, but also international courts, international law, international justice and international institutions, especially the UN - IGC announced.

As proof of the allegations made, the IGC submitted material evidence from the media which clearly and unequivocally shows the denial of the Srebrenica genocide

The Institute for Genocide Research Canada (IGC)

Fire kills at least 2 people in COVID-19 hospital in Romania

Putin, Merkel hold 2nd phone talk in 2 days about migration crisis on Belarusian-Polish border

The HJPC will announce a disciplinary decision against Ranko Debevec

Delegation of B&H MoD at the ceremony marking the Armistice Day

Džaferović spoke with a representative of the Socialist Group and German SPD

FB&H Government adopts a new Anti-Corruption Action Plan

US says it brokered deal to send COVID vaccine to conflict zones

Russian bombers patrol Belarus airspace amid Poland border tensions

Poland’s defense chief reports multiple attempts by migrants to pass through Polish frontier

Merkel speaks with Putin as Poland-Belarus border crisis escalates

HR Schmidt gives support to key state institutions in Banja Luka

PIC ambassadors reiterate their strong support for the HR's mandate

Radončić: The meeting should be viewed in the broader context of the joint efforts of the international community and domestic forces

Trial in "Ventilators" affair continues: Prosecutor Pašić claims that witness Alagić is not telling the truth

Nikšić gathered representatives of the opposition from FB&H, and joint action at the state level is being agreed

IGC files criminal complaint against Tanjug's journalist for denying genocide

News

Fire kills at least 2 people in COVID-19 hospital in Romania

Putin, Merkel hold 2nd phone talk in 2 days about migration crisis on Belarusian-Polish border

The HJPC will announce a disciplinary decision against Ranko Debevec

Delegation of B&H MoD at the ceremony marking the Armistice Day

Džaferović spoke with a representative of the Socialist Group and German SPD

FB&H Government adopts a new Anti-Corruption Action Plan

US says it brokered deal to send COVID vaccine to conflict zones

Russian bombers patrol Belarus airspace amid Poland border tensions

Poland’s defense chief reports multiple attempts by migrants to pass through Polish frontier

Merkel speaks with Putin as Poland-Belarus border crisis escalates

HR Schmidt gives support to key state institutions in Banja Luka

PIC ambassadors reiterate their strong support for the HR's mandate

Radončić: The meeting should be viewed in the broader context of the joint efforts of the international community and domestic forces

Trial in "Ventilators" affair continues: Prosecutor Pašić claims that witness Alagić is not telling the truth

Nikšić gathered representatives of the opposition from FB&H, and joint action at the state level is being agreed

IGC files criminal complaint against Tanjug's journalist for denying genocide