Doctors and medical staff of health centers in the Una-Sana Canton (USC) provide daily medical care for about 900 migrants and refugees in the Lipa migrant center near Bihać.

The biggest problem is the infection with scabies, which is expected given the difficult living conditions in the earlier period. 
-This is our most serious problem at the moment, because almost every other person currently staying here is infected with scabies. Our medical teams have taken this problem very seriously, and the Institute of Public Health assisted in the development of treatment protocols, i.e. the control and prevention of further spread of the infection. The individual treatment in the tents has been determined exactly- said Minister of Health of the USC, Nermina Ćemalović.
The importance of providing heated living spaces, hygiene supplies, as well as space for maintaining personal hygiene was also emphasized.
-Conditions have significantly improved and these people have finally been provided with dignified treatment. I am especially glad that clear rules of conduct have been introduced in the tent settlement. Also, donors are helping to procure food, shoes, clothes and other necessities- said the Secretary of the Red Cross of the City of Bihać.
Migrants and refugees are much happier with the current situation.
-We are aware that it may not be ideal, but now the situation is much better. We sleep in a heated space, we have enough food and water, as well as the possibility of maintaining personal hygiene and toilets. Everyone is much happier- said Ali from Pakistan.
In the previous days, the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted the process of biometric identification of all persons at this location, while members of the Armed Forces completed the works on the construction of the access road.

The biggest problem is the infection with scabies, which is expected given the difficult living conditions in the earlier period

Migrants and refugees are much happier with the current situation

Increased health surveillance in the Lipa migrant camp

Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotić and Ambassador of the Republic of France to B&amp;H Christine Toudic today signed a Technical Agreement between the Ministry of Security of B&amp;H and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of France on cooperation in combating illicit trade in firearms, ammunition and explosives.

The agreement will enable the continuation of cooperation initiated by specialized services, improve the exchange of information on illicit arms trade and strengthen the technical capacities of the competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of crime processing techniques and forensics, the B&amp;H Ministry of Security said.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and France are committed to working together to combat these forms of crimes, especially because of the role that illicit trade in arms plays in the growth of international terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Ambassador Toudic pointed out that the signing of this new agreement testifies to France's commitment to bilateral and regional activities towards preventing and combating the illicit trade in weapons, ammunition and explosives.
-In this regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important partner of France. The agreement also testifies to the joint efforts of Bosnia and Herzegovina and France to strengthen police cooperation, especially operational cooperation, in the fight against transnational organized crime that endangers the security of both countries, and the whole of Europe- said Toudic.
The Ministry of Security of B&amp;H points out that the establishment of a permanent criminal intelligence network whose main mission is the prevention and fight against the illicit trade in firearms is planned for the coming period.

Both countries  are committed to working together to combat these forms of crimes

Ambassador of the Republic of France to B&H Christine Toudic and Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotić

B&H and France continue to cooperate in the fight against illicit arms trade

The leaders of the SDP B&amp;H and Our party today in Mostar talked with representatives of the city committees of those political parties about tomorrow's continuation of a session of the Mostar City Council, at which a new Mostar mayor should be elected.

The SDP B&amp;H President Nermin Nikšić stated that the BH bloc (SDP BiH, Our Party) councilors are exposed to "inappropriate and unprincipled pressure" and called on the Coalition for Mostar (SDA, SBB, DF, Party for B&amp;H, BPS), in the continuation of the constituent session, to support the candidacy of Irma Baralija for the position of the mayor.
Nikšić said that he doubted the sincerity of the statements of the SDA and the HDZ B&amp;H officials on the integration processes and European city of Mostar, and called on them to prove their sincerity by voting for Irma Baralija.
-In that way, none of these blocs would be defeated, neither the Bosniak nor the Croat side would lose, and the Bosnian side would win. We would have a government that would fight for the rights of all citizens of Mostar- Nikšić said.

The SDP B&H President stated that the BH bloc (SDP BiH, Our Party) councilors are exposed to "inappropriate and unprincipled pressure"

Nikšić urged SDA and HDZ BiH councilors to vote for Irma Baralija

Today, at the SBB headquarters, party president Fahrudin Radončić met with a delegation from the "My Address: Srebrenica" list, which consisted of mayoral candidate Alija Tabaković, current deputy mayor Hamdija Fejzić and former Srebrenica mayors Sadik Ahmetović and Ćamil Duraković.
On this occasion, the guests informed the president of SBB about the enormous manipulations and theft of votes to the detriment of Bosniak candidates for mayor and councilors. The Srebrenica delegation expects full support from the political leaders in Sarajevo, in order to correct the inadmissible vote theft and engineering to the detriment of the Srebrenica survivors.
During the talks, the options of what can be done at this moment were emphasized, and all detailed information were exchanged, including that part of the political forces in Srebrenica is even considering a boycott of the upcoming repeated elections and asking the CEC to call completely new ones.
Also, the delegation from Srebrenica will request a meeting with the ambassadors of Quinta, accredited in Sarajevo.
Radončić pointed out that he has always supported fair elections and that he will support every decision made by the list "My address: Srebrenica".

Radončić pointed out that he has always supported fair elections and that he will support any decision made by the list "My address: Srebrenica"

Radončić pointed out that he has always supported fair elections and that he will support every decision made by the list "My address: Srebrenica"

Radončić met with delegation from the list "My address: Srebrenica": It is inadmissible that survivors of genocide were stolen votes in elections

The newly appointed City Council of Mostar adopted a decision, on February 5th, to conduct the election of the mayor of Mostar by public ballot. This decision contravenes Article 36 of the Statute of Mostar, which states that the elections in the City Council must be conducted by secret ballot. 

This is the message from today's joint statement by the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H, the European Union Delegation/European Union Special Representative, the Embassy of the United Kingdom, the Embassy of the United States of America and the Office of the High Representative on the City Council of Mostar.
-We, the undersigned, call on the City Council to bring its voting procedures back into compliance with the Statute of Mostar and to repeat the first round of elections for the mayor of Mostar. A country aspiring to become an EU Member State must adhere to the principles of the rule of law. We call upon all city councilors to show responsibility and to swiftly elect the Mayor in full accordance with the rule of law and the Statute of Mostar in its next session- it is said in the statement.&nbsp;

"A country aspiring to become an EU Member State must adhere to the principles of the rule of law"

The newly appointed City Council of Mostar adopted a decision, on February 5th, to conduct the election of the mayor of Mostar by public ballot

Intl. organizations request first round of voting for Mostar mayor be repeated

Thousands of drivers were left stranded in freezing traffic jams in Germany overnight to Tuesday as the heaviest snowfall in years brought travel chaos across the country.

Traffic on the A2 motorway near the city of Bielefeld was brought to a standstill by heavy snowfall, with some drivers trapped for at least 16 hours, according to media reports.
The jam caused by lorries stuck in the snow and stretching over 37 kilometres (23 miles) had still not been cleared by early Tuesday morning, local police said.
Video footage showed shivering drivers huddled in their vehicles, complaining of going for hours without food as temperatures plunged to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit).
Severe jams were also reported in other parts of the country including Hesse, where some drivers were stuck in their cars for 15 hours, according to police.
Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has asked residents to avoid getting in their vehicles until Wednesday at the earliest.
Northern and eastern Germany in particular were pummelled by snow on Sunday and Monday night, with blizzard-like conditions and some of the coldest temperatures seen in years.
In Bielefeld, a man was found dead on a snow-covered road on Monday, though emergency services said initial findings suggested he had suffered a medical emergency.
Train services across the country have seen severe delays and cancellations due to the winter weather, with snow and ice clogging the rails.
Snowfall is expected to decrease in the coming days, according to forecasters, but temperatures of up to minus 18 degrees will mean travel conditions remain hazardous.
With the wind chill factor, temperatures could feel as low as minus 30 degrees at night, forecasters have said.

Train services across the country have seen severe delays and cancellations due to the winter weather, with snow and ice clogging the rails

Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has asked residents to avoid getting in their vehicles until Wednesday at the earliest

Snow and bitter cold bring travel chaos in Germany

The FB&amp;H Hydrometeorological Institute has issued an orange alert for tomorrow due to the expected intense precipitation.

The regions for which the warning is issued are Herzegovina and southwestern Bosnia.
The expected amount of precipitation in Herzegovina and southwestern Bosnia is between 30 and 60, locally up to 80 l/m2, the FHMI reported.

The regions for which the warning is issued are Herzegovina and southwestern Bosnia

The expected amount of precipitation in Herzegovina and southwestern Bosnia is between 30 and 60, locally up to 80 l/m2

Orange alert issued for tomorrow expecting heavy and intense precipitation

Minister of Defense of B&amp;H Sifet Podžić, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Matthew Field and Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo Brigadier General Eric Folkestad attended the ceremony of handing over protective masks to fight the COVID-19 pandemic that the UK government has provided for members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces.

This is a valuable and significant donation of 6,000 sets of protective masks, which contain a total of three masks, which is the first part of the donation to the Armed Forces, and another 3,000 sets are on the way.
Satisfaction was expressed at the handover ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Minister of Defense Mijo Krešić, Chief of the Joint Staff of the AFB&amp;H Colonel-General Senad Mašović and associates, as well as other senior officials of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of B&amp;H, representatives of the UK Embassy in B&amp;H and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo. It was said that this valuable donation will significantly help members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also expressed support for continued assistance to the Ministry of Defense and the B&amp;H Armed Forces in fulfilling the commitments on the Euro-Atlantic path of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Ambassador of the UK to B&amp;H HE Matthew Field pointed out that the first 6,000 packages are being delivered today, each with three high-quality washable face masks with the logo of the Armed Forces of B&amp;H - one in camouflage, one in military green, and one in black for civilian use, and another 3,000 are on the way.
The Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, said, among other things, that the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo will continue to provide support to the Ministry of Defense and the B&amp;H Armed Forces, and that this donation is an example of NATO support, which will enable members of the B&amp;H Armed Forces to protect themselves, but also others.

This includes 6,000 sets of protective masks, which contain a total of three masks, which is the first part of the donation to the Armed Forces, and another 3,000 sets are on the way

First 6,000 packages are being delivered today, each with three high-quality washable face masks with the logo of the Armed Forces of B&H - one in camouflage, one in military green, and one in black for civilian use

Donation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ministry of Defense and AF

As previously announced by the President of the Alliance, SBB has begun to introduce commissions in some cantons in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The President of the Alliance for a Better Future of B&amp;H, Fahrudin Radončić, made the decision that Bahrudin Hadžiefendić, MD, PhD, is the new Commissioner in the Tuzla Canton.
MD, PhD Bahrudin Hadžiefendić is a doctor of medical sciences by profession, employed at the University Clinical Center Tuzla at the Surgery Clinic. In November 2014., he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives of the FB&amp;H Parliament, and in the period from 2015. to 2019., he held the position of Minister of Health in the Government of Tuzla Canton.
This is a continuation of the internal reorganization of SBB, which has very high ambitions for the 2022. elections.

The President of the Alliance for a Better Future of B&H, Fahrudin Radončić, made the decision that MD, PhD Bahrudin Hadžiefendić, is the new Commissioner in the Tuzla Canton

Hadžiefendić: Member of the House of Representatives of the FB&H Parliament

Hadžiefendić appointed as SBB commissioner in Tuzla Canton

Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotić met today in Sarajevo with newly appointed EUFOR Commander Major General Alexander Platzer.

They pointed out that joint responses to global security challenges, assistance in case of natural and other disasters, joint exercises, and exchange of information remain key priorities for future cooperation between the Ministry of Security and the European Union Military Forces in B&amp;H.
Minister Cikotić informed Major General Platzer about the current activities of the B&amp;H Ministry of Security, primarily in preventing illegal migration, fighting organized crime and other security threats, and the consequences of the pandemic, the B&amp;H Ministry of Security said.

They pointed out that joint responses to global security challenges, assistance in case of natural and other disasters, joint exercises, and exchange of information remain key priorities for future cooperation

EUFOR Commander Major General Alexander Platzer and Minister Cikotić

Minister Cikotić meets with EUFOR Commander

The Coalition for Mostar 2020 in an open letter to the High Representative in B&amp;H (OHR) expresses its regrets "that the OHR and the international community in Mostar have again sided with the HDZ and are doing everything they can for a Croat from the HDZ to be elected the mayor of Mostar".

-We know that a letter for annulment of the conclusion of the Mostar City Council on the public vote was sent to you by the B&amp;H Bloc, which also voted for that conclusion, and now they want a secret ballot to hide their betrayal, which you are unfortunately helping them with. More than two-thirds of the councilors, precisely 31 councilors, voted for the conclusion on the public vote. You are again referring to your Statute when it comes to the election of the mayor, where your Statute is completely imprecise on the matter- the Coalition for Mostar said in a statement.
In its letter to the High Representative, the Coalition states that the OHR refers to Article 36, paragraph 1, which states that elections to the City Council shall be conducted by secret ballot unless otherwise provided by the Statute.
The Coalition demands that the High Representative answers the citizens of Mostar why he did not react and protect his imposed Statute for eight years, and now he is reacting to a conclusion that was adopted almost unanimously and emphasize that they are ready to complete the mayoral election on Wednesday.
-If you reverse the City Council's conclusion on the election of the mayor, you bear the responsibility for Mostar- the Coalition said in the statement.

The Coalition demands that the High Representative answers the citizens of Mostar why he did not react and protect his imposed Statute for eight years

If you reverse the City Council's conclusion on the election of the mayor, you bear the responsibility for Mostar, the Coalition said in the statement

Coalition for Mostar sends an open letter to High Representative in B&H

President of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Bakir Izetbegović received the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Bosnia and Herzegovina Gholamrez Alimohammad Ghelichkhan in an inaugural visit, the party said in a statement.

At the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the current situation in both countries.
Ambassador Ghelichkhan conveyed greetings to Izetbegović from the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of that country, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Izetbegović briefed Ambassador Ghelichkhan on the results of the local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special focus on the results of the SDA.
Izetbegović expressed gratitude to Iran for the help and support provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially during the period of defense against aggression. He pointed out the existence of problems in relations within the country, which remained as part of the legacy of the past war, but also the significant progress that has been made despite these problems.
Speaking about the priorities, he singled out the need to strengthen the rule of law and fight corruption, build infrastructure and make further progress on the Euro-Atlantic path. He also focused on the tourism, trade and energy sectors, especially in the construction of wind and solar power plants, as potential opportunities for Iranian investors.
Ambassador Ghelichkhan conveyed the interest of Iranian investors in strengthening cooperation, especially in the field of dairy industry, energy, but also through the establishment of free economic zones that would enable more intensive and productive cooperation of businessmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran.

They discussed bilateral cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the current situation in both countries

Izetbegović briefed Ambassador Ghelichkhan on the results of the local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special focus on the results of the SDA

Izetbegović receives Iranian Ambassador Ghelichkhan in inagural visit

As we have learned, the High Representative in B&amp;H, and this was confirmed to us from several sources, annulled the first round of elections for the mayor of Mostar.
Namely, the High Representative intervened because the voting was public, instead of secret, as required by the City Statute.
- I am forced to intervene in order to remind city councilors that the elections for mayor of Mostar must be conducted in accordance with the Statute of the City of Mostar, and especially in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 36 of the Statute, which requires that elections in the City Council are secret if it has not been determined otherwise by this Statute- it is stated, among other things, in the decision of the High Representative.
It should be reminded that before the voting for the candidates for mayor last Friday, the City Council of Mostar, at the proposal of the "Coalition for Mostar", accepted the conclusion to vote publicly.
After the first round, Irma Baralija, the candidate of the "B&amp;H Block", dropped out of the further race with five votes, while Dr. Zlatko Guzin, the candidate of the Coalition with 11 votes, and Dr. Mario Kordić, the HDZ candidate who had 14 votes, entered the second round.

The High Representative intervened because the voting was public, instead of secret, as required by the City Statute

Inzko annulled the first round of elections for the mayor of Mostar, mayor will be elected secretly

The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) remains adamant that the vote for the new mayor of Mostar must be done in public, as started by the decision of the City Council.

-Those who ask for a secret ballot, and call on the OHR to intervene in order to impose it, obviously have no honorable intentions- said the SDA.
As they say, the entire public in B&amp;H, and especially the people of Mostar, want to have a clear picture of who will support Zlatko Guzin from the Coalition for Mostar, and who will vote for Mario Kordić from the HDZ with a direct vote "in favor" or abstention.
Voting for the mayor of Mostar 12 years ago, which was conducted in secret, resulted in non-transparent manipulations and the election of HDZ candidates, despite the existence of a pro-Bosnian majority. This was followed by years of mutual accusations that could not change anything but obscure the truth.
-That is why the SDA will not agree this time to repeat such a scenario and vote for the mayor in secret. We ask the OHR to respect the will of the Mostar City Council, and not to interfere in the election of the mayor this time, because that will enable new behind-the-scenes manipulations-said the SDA.

Those who ask for a secret ballot, and call on the OHR to intervene in order to impose it, obviously have no honorable intentions, said the SDA

As they say, the entire public in B&H, and especially the people of Mostar, want to have a clear picture of who will support Zlatko Guzin from the Coalition for Mostar, and who will vote for Mario Kordić from the HDZ with a direct vote "in favor" or abstention

SDA maintains that vote for Mostar mayor must be conducted in public

Southwestern France was hit by heavy flooding on Monday following days of torrential rain, and several other regions including eastern Paris were on flood alert ahead of a cold snap expected later this week.


The worst flooding was in the town of Saintes, 115 km (71 miles) north of Bordeaux, where the Charente river stood at a near-record level of 6.20 metres (20 feet). The waters were at waist level in several streets and knee-deep in large parts of the town.
Hundreds of people were evacuated as water seeping into cellars knocked out power supplies. Local authorities laid beams on cinder blocks so residents could walk from flooded houses to dry land.
To the southeast of Bordeaux, where the river Garonne flooded large areas between Marmande and La Reole last week, floodwaters were receding, but the waters of the Charente were not expected to fall before Wednesday, local authorities said.
-We are at a peak level now. We expect water levels to rise a little more in the coming days, and to subside from mid-week- a Charente-Maritime spokeswoman said.
The city of Cognac, centre of brandy production on the Charente river, also saw several streets flooded.

The France Meteo weather service put seven departments on flood alert on Monday, including Charente-Maritime, two areas along the Loire river, the Somme and Oise regions in northern France and the Seine-et-Marne region east of Paris.

In Paris, many parts of the quays along the Seine have been inaccessible for days after the river broke its banks, but water levels, at 4.35 metres on Monday morning, remained well below recent highs of 5.88 metres seen in January 2018 and 6.10 metres in June 2016.
Along the river Marne, which flows into the Seine on the eastern edge of the capital, the river broke its banks in several towns, notably in Conde-Sainte-Libaire and Esbly, where several streets were flooded and elevated walkways were built.

The worst flooding was in the town of Saintes, 115 km (71 miles) north of Bordeaux, where the Charente river stood at a near-record level of 6.20 metres (20 feet)

Rescue workers on small boats help residents in a flooded area as the Charente River overflows in Saintes after days of rainy weather causing flooding in western France, France, February 8, 2021.

Southwest France hit by heavy floods, Paris area on flood alert

Pope Francis on Monday called for political leaders imprisoned during Myanmar's coup to be "promptly released", in a speech to ambassadors to the Holy See.

It was his second intervention on Myanmar in two days, after he used the opportunity of his Sunday recital of the Angelus prayer to express his "solidarity with the people" of the country he visited in 2017.
-In these days, my thoughts turn particularly to the people of Myanmar, to whom I express my affection and closeness- the pope said on Monday, according to the official translation of his comments.
-The path to democracy undertaken in recent years was brusquely interrupted by last week's coup d'etat.--This has led to the imprisonment of different political leaders, who I hope will be promptly released as a sign of encouragement for a sincere dialogue aimed at the good of the country- he said.
Myanmar's generals issued a stern warning against further protests on Monday as a mass uprising against their coup gathered pace, with hundreds of thousands on the streets demanding the release of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
The military last week detained Suu Kyi and dozens of other members of her National League for Democracy party, ending a decade of civilian rule and triggering widespread international condemnation.

It was his second intervention on Myanmar in two days

Pope Francis: The path to democracy undertaken in recent years was brusquely interrupted by last week's coup d'etat

Increased health surveillance in the Lipa migrant camp

B&H and France continue to cooperate in the fight against illicit arms trade

Nikšić urged SDA and HDZ BiH councilors to vote for Irma Baralija

Radončić met with delegation from the list "My address: Srebrenica": It is inadmissible that survivors of genocide were stolen votes in elections

Intl. organizations request first round of voting for Mostar mayor be repeated

Snow and bitter cold bring travel chaos in Germany

Orange alert issued for tomorrow expecting heavy and intense precipitation

Donation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ministry of Defense and AF

Hadžiefendić appointed as SBB commissioner in Tuzla Canton

Minister Cikotić meets with EUFOR Commander

Coalition for Mostar sends an open letter to High Representative in B&H

Izetbegović receives Iranian Ambassador Ghelichkhan in inagural visit

Inzko annulled the first round of elections for the mayor of Mostar, mayor will be elected secretly

SDA maintains that vote for Mostar mayor must be conducted in public

Southwest France hit by heavy floods, Paris area on flood alert

Pope urges prompt release of detained Myanmar leaders

News

Increased health surveillance in the Lipa migrant camp

B&H and France continue to cooperate in the fight against illicit arms trade

Nikšić urged SDA and HDZ BiH councilors to vote for Irma Baralija

Radončić met with delegation from the list "My address: Srebrenica": It is inadmissible that survivors of genocide were stolen votes in elections

Intl. organizations request first round of voting for Mostar mayor be repeated

Snow and bitter cold bring travel chaos in Germany

Orange alert issued for tomorrow expecting heavy and intense precipitation

Donation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ministry of Defense and AF

Hadžiefendić appointed as SBB commissioner in Tuzla Canton

Minister Cikotić meets with EUFOR Commander

Coalition for Mostar sends an open letter to High Representative in B&H

Izetbegović receives Iranian Ambassador Ghelichkhan in inagural visit

Inzko annulled the first round of elections for the mayor of Mostar, mayor will be elected secretly

SDA maintains that vote for Mostar mayor must be conducted in public

Southwest France hit by heavy floods, Paris area on flood alert

Pope urges prompt release of detained Myanmar leaders