In the last 24 hours, 2,111 samples were registered to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 393 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

New cases have been registered in all the cantons in the Federation of B&amp;H, except in Podrinje canton, the FB&amp;H Public Health Institute said.
In the past 24 hours, 15 people died in the Federation of B&amp;H.
In the last 24 hours in the Brčko District, out of 129 samples processed, 25 were positive for coronavirus. In the past 24 hours, one person has died, two have recovered from the infection, and 21 patients are in hospital.
In the entity of Republic of Srpska, 828 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, and coronavirus was confirmed in 376 people.
Also, in the last 24 hours, six deaths were reported, according to the RS Institute of Public Health.
The total number of hospitalized is 556.

New cases have been registered in all the cantons in the Federation of B&H, except in Podrinje canton

In the past 24 hours, 15 people died in the Federation of B&H

COVID-19 confirmed in 794 people in B&H, with 22 deaths

Famous Turkish producer and DJ with an address in Amsterdam, Burak Yeter, is the headliner of the first edition of "Fest.033", which will start on September 11th at White Fortress in Sarajevo. 
In an exclusive interview for "Avaz", Yeter spoke about Sarajevo, his plans and revealed how he spent his time at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, how much the overall situation affected his work...

In couple of days you are coming to Sarajevo. Are you excited because, after all, you have a lot of fans here?
- I had some events in Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, last event was in Banja Luka. It would be my first in Sarajevo and I am super excited.
Can we expect a spectacle at the White Fortress?
- I can say that i am familiar with historic places because of our Symphonic tours and my virtual sets. I always like Bosnian culture and history, the city sight is perfect to me from high land. And also I can say that the food is great over there. I am sure it’s going to be great night on 11th September.

How did you spend your time during the lockdown?
- The live events got cancelled but then i started the virtual concerts in Amsterdam, Antalya, Dubai, Banja Luka, etc. I had more time for the productions, so I produced remixes, new songs and arrangements. I had instagram live with Alica Keys and we started a new song.

Has the pandemic affected your creativity?
- Not at all, even it made my works more creative. As mentioned above during pandemic apart of live events, we worked harder to keep the music on. I definitely missed the live events but now we are back in some countries and by the end of this year, we have around 80 live events confirmed in various countries.

How did it feel when you first got on stage after the break?
- I’m very happy to keep going from the point that i stopped due to pandemic. We started to make some daily plans for some countries now. It’s not like last months or last year. Day by day the booking requests come. In this subject, we can fight against the situation with PCR tests, Vaccine certifications. It’s really very strange period but the music must not stop. As the world turns, the music continues playing.

What are your plans for the future?
- At the moment, I release singles. The last songs that I published were Bring It Back and Last Night, they did pretty well on portals. Also I released my official music video “Oh My My” with Montiego and it hit over 5 millions on Youtube in 3 days. We shot this video in Medellin, Colombia.&nbsp;I believe that the songs are lifeless. I plan to re-touch songs like "Tuesday", "Happy", "My Life is Going On" and release new versions.

- After Bosnia and Herzegovina, I perform in Dubai, Mexico, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Mykonos. I will announce other dates soon - says Yeter.

I am sure it’s going to be great night on 11th September

Yeter: He will perform at White Fortress in Sarajevo on Saturday

Turkish producer and DJ Burak Yeter for "Avaz" before the concert at White Fortress: The view of Sarajevo from hights is perfect to me

The Russian president and the head of the European Council on Wednesday discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, agreeing to cooperate on regional stability, a Kremlin statement said.

In a phone call, Vladimir Putin and Charles Michel also expressed readiness to prevent the risks of the spread of terrorism, extremism, and drug crime, the statement added.
-Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining civil peace in the country and preventing violence, as well as establishing a real intra-Afghan dialogue to ensure the integrity of the Afghan state, taking into account the interests of all population groups- it read.
Discussing the Ukrainian settlement, Putin and Michel agreed on the necessity of the Minsk Agreement’s implementation, the statement noted.
Putin also informed Michel about the steps being taken to fulfill the trilateral cease-fire agreement among Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, it said.
In a separate statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is closely following the developments in Afghanistan and currently does not plan contacts with the interim government established by the Taliban.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan after taking the control of Kabul on Aug. 15, forcing the president and other top officials to leave the country.
On Tuesday, the Taliban announced an interim government, which includes only its own members, claiming the current Cabinet is temporary.

In phone call, President Putin, European Council head Michel call for peace, intra-Afghan dialogue

In a phone call, Vladimir Putin and Charles Michel also expressed readiness to prevent the risks of the spread of terrorism, extremism, and drug crime, the statement added

Russia, European Council agree to cooperate on Afghanistan

Daily COVID-19 deaths and infections in Africa slightly swelled on Wednesday, according to an update by the Africa CDC.

With 605 more deaths, the death toll reached 200,741, while 17,441 new infections pushed the number of total cases to 7.95 million.
Nearly 7.2 million patients have recovered on the continent, where close to 68 million tests have been conducted so far, the data showed.
Of the five geographical regions in Africa, Southern Africa has recorded more than 3.8 million cases, North Africa 2.4 million, East Africa 927,900, West Africa 617,300, and Central Africa 222,100 cases.
At least 104,700 people died from the virus in Southern Africa, 64,700 in North Africa, 19,100 in East Africa, 9,000 in West Africa, and 3,200 in Central Africa.
Just about 2.93% of Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so far, the data showed.
Around 104.2 million doses out of 137.7 million -- or 75.66% -- supplied to the continent have been administered, with 4.85% of the population having received one dose until now.
Morocco leads all African countries in terms of vaccination, having administered some 33 million.
Around 50.24% of the country’s population of nearly 37 million has received one vaccine dose, while 40.06% has been fully vaccinated, according to the Africa CDC data.

605 more deaths, 17,441 infections recorded in past 24 hours, says Africa CDC

Nearly 7.2 million patients have recovered on the continent, where close to 68 million tests have been conducted so far, the data showed

Africa sees rise in COVID-19 fatalities, cases

Vaccinated people are 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who are unvaccinated, Germany’s top health expert said on Wednesday.

Professor Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said vaccines continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19, despite the emergence of new variants such as the Delta strain.
-The risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 is 10 times less likely among vaccinated people compared to those who are unvaccinated- he told a news conference in Berlin.
Wieler said a RKI study found vaccinations prevented at least 38,000 deaths and 77,000 hospitalizations in Germany between January and July this year.
Nearly 20,000 people were saved from landing in intensive care units, he added.
-Vaccines are our most powerful tool against COVID-19- he stressed, adding that the jabs protect not only recipients but also others by slowing the spread of an infectious disease and curbing new variants.
Wieler called on people who are still undecided to get vaccinated against COVID-19 without delay, saying Germany may face a big resurgence in the fall and winter if it fails to meet its vaccination target in the coming weeks.
-If we cannot significantly increase the current vaccination rates, the current fourth wave of the pandemic can take a fulminant course in autumn- he warned.
Some 54.9 million people in Germany, or 66% of the population, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine so far, while 51.2 million, or 61.7%, have been fully vaccinated.
The government is aiming to vaccinate 70% of the population by the end of September, but seems set to miss the goal as the pace of the rollout has slowed down in recent weeks.

Germany’s top health expert says vaccination has prevented 38,000 deaths, nearly 77,000 hospitalizations in country

Professor Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said vaccines continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19, despite the emergence of new variants such as the Delta strain

'Vaccinated people 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19'

Almost six years after the 2015 terror attacks in Paris, France on Wednesday started the trial of 20 people accused in the case.

The attacks rolled out in a single night of terror across Paris and at the Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis where three suicide bombers struck outside while a football match was taking place.
Subsequent attacks hit various cafes around Paris, and a third group of attackers carried out a mass shooting and held people hostage during a rock concert at the Bataclan Theater.
The carnage claimed the lives of 130 and left 350 people injured. The Daesh/ISIS terror group claimed responsibility for it.
The trials are being held in a specially built court housed in the Palais de Justice, France’s central courthouse. Preparations have been underway for two years for the largest trial to ever take place in Paris.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday in an interview with French news outlet France Inter that the “terrorist threat” is “even higher during this period.”
He also discussed both the government’s role and responsibility in thwarting attacks.
-Objectively, I believe that the trial will be an opportunity to tell the truth and also to shed light on the responsibilities of the French state.-He detailed that since the start of President Emmanuel Macron’s five-year term in office, a total of 36 major attacks have been halted by French intelligence services.
He went on to acknowledge that there are dysfunctions in information gathering that have taken place, and are still evolving.
-We have made a lot of progress- Darmanin said.
Of the 20 people charged over the Nov. 13 attacks, six will be tried in absentia. Twelve of them face life in prison.
Among the defendants is Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker.
More than 300 witnesses will offer testimony over the next nine months. The case file contains over a million pages of documents.
To stem any further threats or violence from taking place, 1,000 police officers have been deployed around the courthouse in what Darmanin has called an “absolutely gigantic effort.” The entire trial will be recorded by eight cameras specially installed in a control room.
A verdict in the case is expected next May.

Long-awaited proceedings get underway at special court in Paris, interior minister warns of elevated terrorist threat

The attacks rolled out in a single night of terror across Paris and at the Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis where three suicide bombers struck outside while a football match was taking place

Trial begins over 2015 Paris terror attacks

A conflict between Greece and Turkey is not inevitable, said the US envoy to Athens on Tuesday.

Speaking at an online panel, titled Changing Tides: Great Power Competition In the Eastern Mediterranean, hosted by the Center for European Policy Analysis on Tuesday, Geoffrey Pyatt made remarks on relations between Turkey and Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean, and other regional developments.
Noting that Greece is an important American ally in the Eastern Mediterranean, he drew attention to the recently improving relations between Greece and other countries in the region, including the UAE, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.
Pyratt also reiterated Washington’s support for the 3+1 cooperation framework between Greece, Southern Cyprus, Israel, and the US.
Highlighting the importance of regional energy cooperation, he said: “One of the greatest examples of regional energy cooperation anywhere in Europe is the Southern Gas Corridor, which relies on the relationship between the TAP (Trans Adriatic) pipeline and Turkey every single day.
-This is an area that offers the prospect of building new channels for cooperation and for win/win. I do not accept the principle that conflict between Greece and Turkey is inevitable, and it’s certainly not in the interest of the United States.- Pyratt added.

Conflict between 2 NATO allies not in Washington’s interests, says Geoffrey Pyatt

US envoy: Conflict between Turkey, Greece not inevitable

Deputy Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mijo Krešić, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the AFB&amp;H Major General Ivica Jerkić and Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo Brigadier General Eric Folkestad visited the military training ground "Manjača" today to monitor evaluation of the SEL-2 Light Infantry Battalion Group (INF-L-BNG).

During the tour of the military camp "Manjača", a briefing was held by the director of the exercise, Brigadier Slaven Blavicki, during which the guests were introduced to the dynamics of the SEL-2 assessment.
Also, the guests were addressed by the head of the NATO monitoring team, Colonel Tore Bade, who expressed his satisfaction with the evaluation process so far and stressed that the Light Infantry Battalion Group is well on its way to successfully completing the SEL-2 evaluation.
The Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, congratulated on the successful implementation of this very demanding event, and added that next year is the final phase of evaluation, and that the units have proven capable so far, so the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud of their AFB&amp;H .
Activities as part of NATO's SEL-2 Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC E&amp;F) assessment began on 6 and will end on 9 September.

Activities as part of NATO's SEL-2 Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC E&F) assessment began on 6 and will end on 9 September

During the tour of the military camp "Manjača", a briefing was held by the director of the exercise, Brigadier Slaven Blavicki, during which the guests were introduced to the dynamics of the SEL-2 assessment

General Folkestad: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud of AF B&H

Osman Mehmedagić, director of the Intelligence and Security Agency ISA B&amp;H, violated the prohibitive measures imposed on him after he was recently arrested and released by the decision of the Court of B&amp;H. That is the reason why the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H is again requesting detention.
On July 16th, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina imposed prohibitive measures on Osmica, after the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina's motion for one-month detention was previously rejected.

<h2>Approaching witnesses at a distance of 50 meters</h2>

The decision of the Court of B&amp;H precisely states that the suspect Mehmedagić, who is charged with abuse of office and money laundering, is "prohibited from contacting witnesses for the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this criminal case, including approaching them at a distance of 50 meters, and any contact and discuss the case with any person other than defense counsel. "

However, Osmica traveled by plane from Sarajevo Airport on July 21 to Antalya with a witness in the case, Asim Sarajlić, an SDA delegate to the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a member of the Joint Commission for Supervision of ISA. The trip happened only five days after the measures were determined.
According to the documentation that "Avaz" has, Sarajlić and Osmica traveled and spent the summer vacation together in Antalya, and returned to Sarajevo on July 30th. This is confirmed by the official data of the Border Police and the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H, which were forwarded to the Court of B&amp;H.
This is more than a brazen violation of court measures, which is why detention was requested. Mehmedagić also violated the measures ten days ago, when he attended the wedding of Bakir Izetbegovic's daughter with Sarajlić.
We remind you that Sarajlić was questioned in January in the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H. He received an invitation to testify about the circumstances of the sale of the Audi Q5 car to the wife of the ISA director, Amela Šehović.

Namely, the Audi Q5, which she bought from Sarajlić, has been in her name since May 27th, 2019.
The problem due to which this purchase and sale is disputable is that Sarajlić is a member of the Joint Commission for Supervision of the Work of ISA, whose director is Mehmedagić.

<h2>Part of the transaction paid in cash</h2>

It is suspected that this part of the transaction was paid in cash, as well as the house he bought from Šaćir Ćedić, the owner of "Vatra".
Namely, according to the details of the financial investigation, which was conducted by the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H, the agreed value of the vehicle was 62,000 KM. But, according to the information that "Avaz" has, 42,000 marks were paid to Sarajlić from Mehmedagić's account.
The remaining 20,000 KM is missing. More precisely, it is suspected that this part of the transaction was also paid in cash.
It remains to be seen what the Court of B&amp;H, headed by Ranko Debevec, will say about everything.

On July 16th, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina imposed prohibitive measures on Osmica, after the Prosecution's motion for one month's detention was previously rejected, but he violated them after only five days

Here is why the Prosecutor's Office of B&H is requesting detention: Osman Mehmedagić and Asim Sarajlić traveled and spent their summer vacation together in Antalya

The Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H sent a request to the Court of B&amp;H to revoke the prohibitive measures and order custody of the suspect Osman Mehmedagić.
As part of the work on the case, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H came to information and evidence that the suspect Mehmedagić in the past period traveled, communicated and stayed on vacation abroad with a person listed as a witness in the case and who in accordance with the prohibitive measures, the suspect may not approach at a distance of less than 50 meters.
Due to the violation of the pronounced measures of prohibition, detention was requested.

Due to the violation of determined measures of prohibition, custody was requested, the Prosecutor's Office of B&H announced

Mehmedagić: He violated the prohibition measures

The Prosecutor's Office of B&H is again requesting custody for the director of ISA

Education should not be politicized, and educational institutions must be inclusive and have an understanding for the needs of all students, not just those who belong to the majority.

This was the response given to FENA from the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H as a comment on the fact that Bosniak children in Liplje near Zvornik have not started school this year after their parents noticed that the "language of the Bosniak people" is still listed in the school registry books instead of the Bosnian language and literature.
-The practice that is being applied now shows that Bosniaks in the entity of RS are being treated differently, which seriously undermines the possibility of long-term connections within one community and reconciliation in B&amp;H- the OSCE stated. 
They remind that the Decision of the Constitutional Court of B&amp;H (U 7/15) affirms that the name of the language should reflect the wishes of a larger number of people who speak it. That is why, as they emphasize, the language of the Bosniak people is Bosnian, as demanded by the representatives of Bosniaks throughout B&amp;H.
-We welcome the decision of the parents to continue the dialogue with the relevant institutions and bring the children to school- said the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H.

They remind that the Decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H (U 7/15) affirms that the name of the language should reflect the wishes of a larger number of people who speak it

OSCE: The practice that is being applied now shows that Bosniaks in the entity of RS are being treated differently, which seriously undermines the possibility of long-term connections within one community and reconciliation in B&H

OSCE Mission to B&H: Education should not be politicized

2,061 samples were reported to the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H in the past 24 hours, of which 434 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.
New cases have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&amp;H, the FB&amp;H Public Health Institute said.
In the past 24 hours, nine people died in the Federation of B&amp;H.
Today, 25 new cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the Brčko District of B&amp;H out of 108 completed tests. One person died.
In Republic of Srpska, 961 laboratory samples were tested in the last 24 hours, and the novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in 471 people.
Also, 15 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.
The total number of hospitalized is 556.

In Republic of Srpska, 961 laboratory samples were tested and the novel corona virus  was confirmed in 471 people

New cases have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&H

COVID-19 confirmed in 930 people in B&H, with 25 deaths in the last 24 hours

The European Medicine Agency (EMA) started on Monday to evaluate the result of booster doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The EMA’s Committee for Human Medicine will assess the data on booster shots administered six months after the second dose for people older than 16 years, the EU agency said in a press statement.
The evaluation is based on the results of clinical trials involving 300 adults with healthy immune systems who received a third dose around six months after they were fully vaccinated.
The EU drugs agency expects the results to be published within a few weeks.
BioNTech/Pfizer vaccines were the first COVID-19 jabs authorized in the EU as the bloc financially contributed to the development of the vaccine under an advanced purchased agreement signed in 2020.
This year, BioNTech/Pfizer committed to delivering a total of 600 million vaccine doses to the bloc.
To provide booster jabs, the European Commission agreed in May with Pfizer/BioNTech to purchase another 1.8 billion doses for 2022 and 2023.
The jab uses an innovative mRNA technique based on a messenger molecule with instructions to produce a protein from the virus that causes COVID-19 to prepare the body to fight the disease.
Contrary to traditional vaccines, BioNTech/Pfizer does not contain the virus itself.

European Medicine Agency to assess data on extra jabs administered for healthy adults, 6 months after 2nd dose

The evaluation is based on the results of clinical trials involving 300 adults with healthy immune systems who received a third dose around six months after they were fully vaccinated

EU drugs agency starts evaluating results of BioNTech booster shots

Scotland’s first minister reiterated on Tuesday that she aims to hold a public vote on independence from the UK by the end of 2023.

Announcing her government program, Nicola Sturgeon said independence is on top of her agenda, but there will be no referendum bill debate in the Scottish parliament this year.
She said the Scottish government will now restart work on a detailed prospectus which will be presented to voters if there is a referendum campaign.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament in the capital Edinburgh, Sturgeon said “as we emerge from the pandemic, choices fall to be made that will shape our economy and society for decades to come.”
She said: “Which Parliament – Westminster (UK) or Holyrood (Scotland) – should make these choices? And what principles will they be guided by?
-These are questions which cannot be avoided, nor postponed until the die is already cast. So we intend to offer that choice.&nbsp;We will do so only when the COVID crisis has passed but our aim, COVID permitting, is that it will be in the first half of this Parliament – before the end of 2023.-Sturgeon also underlined that they will “ensure that the choice – when it comes – is a fully informed one.”
-To that end, I can confirm that the Scottish government will now restart work on the detailed prospectus that will guide the decision.-In January 2020 – before COVID-19 struck outside China – the Scottish Parliament voted in favor of a second independence referendum.
After the vote, Sturgeon requested a section 30 order – an order that would make it possible to hold a new independence referendum (indyref2) – from the central UK government, but her request was rejected by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson said in a recent letter to Sturgeon that he would "not agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums."

The first referendum that asked Scottish voters whether they would want to break free from the UK was held in 2014, a mere two years before the historic referendum on Brexit, which Scotland decisively rejected.

The government under then-Prime Minister David Cameron pledged a better understanding for Scots from Westminster and "extensive new powers" for the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP, the party that led the independence campaign, had full confidence that the country would survive and even be better off outside the UK, strengthened by the nation’s oil fields in the North Sea, world-famous malt whiskey, textile, jet engines, and various banking and financial services.
But Scots rejected separation from the rest of the UK, as just over 2 million votes (55.3%) were cast to remain part of the kingdom, while 1.62 million (44.7%) people voted for independence.
Johnson and the Scottish Tories have repeatedly rejected the idea of indyref2, calling the 2014 referendum a “once in a lifetime” event that proved Scots prefer the union.

Nicola Sturgeon puts Scotland's independence from UK at top of her government program

Announcing her government program, Nicola Sturgeon said independence is on top of her agenda, but there will be no referendum bill debate in the Scottish parliament this year

Scotland to hold independence vote by end-2023, says first minister

The Turkish and Rwandan foreign ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues in a meeting in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Mevlut Cavusoglu said the two countries signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the areas including sports, education, and industry.
He said there is room to improve bilateral economic relations, and that his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta met Turkish business people on the sidelines of his visit to Turkey.
-Our bilateral trade volume is around $81 million, an increase compared to 2019 despite the coronavirus pandemic, but still it's not at the level that we desire- said Cavusoglu. -Rwanda offers great opportunities to our companies and we see our businesses are taking that opportunity.-Cavusoglu said they will work for Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s visit to Ankara in the near future, adding that they also plan to hold a business forum during the potential visit.
On the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, Cavusoglu thanked Rwanda for shutting down FETO-run schools in the country.
Preparations to reopen the schools under the management of Turkey’s Maarif Foundation are underway, he said.
FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 injured.
After the defeated coup, Turkey established the Maarif Foundation to assume the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO, which the terrorist group has used as a revenue stream.
Biruta thanked Turkey for its help during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic last year by sending protective equipment.
He said both countries are committed to working closely for a more peaceful and secure world.

MoUs on cooperation in sports, education, industry signed

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) welcomes his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta (L) during an official visit in Ankara, Turkey on September 07, 2021.

Turkish, Rwandan FMs discuss regional, bilateral issues

Bitcoin became legal tender for a country for the first time in history in El Salvador on Tuesday.

The digital currency is the official currency of El Salvador alongside the US dollar, a move that is sure to drawn attention to the opportunities and risks associated with cryptocurrencies.
Just before midnight local time on Monday, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, announced that the country was about to “make history” after confirming that the government bought 400 Bitcoins, the equivalent of around $21 million at current prices.
The government created a $150 million fund to back conversions of bitcoin to US dollars and 200 ATMs have been installed throughout the country to operate with Bitcoins and dollars.​​ Salvadorans will be able to download “Chivo,” the government’s digital wallet to receive $30 in Bitcoin.
The government said the measure will benefit those living abroad by saving millions of dollars in commissions on remittances given such transactions account for more than 23% of the country’s gross domestic product, according to figures from the World Bank.
But polls show most Salvadorans are skeptical about Bitcoin and have concerns about how it will affect their earnings. A recent survey revealed that seven out of 10 Salvadorans said that they "disagree or strongly disagree" with the use of Bitcoin and that they prefer the dollar.
International bodies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have also warned against the adoption of the cryptocurrency saying it could increase risks for financial institutions.
Early Tuesday, problems were reported on the platform because of the number of people trying to log in.
-​For a few moments @chivowallet will not work, we have disconnected it while we increase the capacity- Bukele said on Twitter.
Some critics say that with the change, Bukele seeks to distract from an authoritarian regime.
The right-wing leader, who has been in power since 2019, has been heavily criticized for making arbitrary decisions.
In May, he fired five Supreme Court justices after the Salvadoran judiciary ruled that the president’s use of emergency powers during the pandemic was unconstitutional. Bukele defended the firings as “getting our house in order.” ​​​​​​​
The new Supreme Court last week gave the green light for Bukele to run for reelection in 2024.
The 40-year-old president, who recent polls indicate is backed by more than 80% of Salvadorans, said Bitcoin could help boost economic development and employment​​​.

Critics say move is attempt to distract from authoritarian regime

The digital currency is the official currency of El Salvador alongside the US dollar, a move that is sure to drawn attention to the opportunities and risks associated with cryptocurrencies

COVID-19 confirmed in 794 people in B&H, with 22 deaths

Turkish producer and DJ Burak Yeter for "Avaz" before the concert at White Fortress: The view of Sarajevo from hights is perfect to me

Russia, European Council agree to cooperate on Afghanistan

Africa sees rise in COVID-19 fatalities, cases

'Vaccinated people 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19'

Trial begins over 2015 Paris terror attacks

US envoy: Conflict between Turkey, Greece not inevitable

General Folkestad: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud of AF B&H

Here is why the Prosecutor's Office of B&H is requesting detention: Osman Mehmedagić and Asim Sarajlić traveled and spent their summer vacation together in Antalya

The Prosecutor's Office of B&H is again requesting custody for the director of ISA

OSCE Mission to B&H: Education should not be politicized

COVID-19 confirmed in 930 people in B&H, with 25 deaths in the last 24 hours

EU drugs agency starts evaluating results of BioNTech booster shots

Scotland to hold independence vote by end-2023, says first minister

Turkish, Rwandan FMs discuss regional, bilateral issues

El Salvador 1st country to have Bitcoin as official currency

News

COVID-19 confirmed in 794 people in B&H, with 22 deaths

Turkish producer and DJ Burak Yeter for "Avaz" before the concert at White Fortress: The view of Sarajevo from hights is perfect to me

Russia, European Council agree to cooperate on Afghanistan

Africa sees rise in COVID-19 fatalities, cases

'Vaccinated people 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19'

Trial begins over 2015 Paris terror attacks

US envoy: Conflict between Turkey, Greece not inevitable

General Folkestad: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud of AF B&H

Here is why the Prosecutor's Office of B&H is requesting detention: Osman Mehmedagić and Asim Sarajlić traveled and spent their summer vacation together in Antalya

The Prosecutor's Office of B&H is again requesting custody for the director of ISA

OSCE Mission to B&H: Education should not be politicized

COVID-19 confirmed in 930 people in B&H, with 25 deaths in the last 24 hours

EU drugs agency starts evaluating results of BioNTech booster shots

Scotland to hold independence vote by end-2023, says first minister

Turkish, Rwandan FMs discuss regional, bilateral issues

El Salvador 1st country to have Bitcoin as official currency