Skopje

The increasingly authoritarian government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in the neighboring former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) fell back on an “antiquated line of defense” last week in a bid to neutralize a political rival, namely, to indirectly involve Greek secret services.

Reports: 3 workers dead in factory fire in Macedonia

SKOPJE -- Three workers died on Thursday in a fire that broke out after an explosion in a factory in Bogdanovci, Macedonia, according to media reports.

Macedonia: Archbishop Jovan released on parole

SKOPJE -- Head of the Orthodox Diocese of Ohrid Archbishop Jovan Vraniskovski has been released on parole.

The Court of Appeal in Skopje rejected the appeal by the public prosecutor, who wanted Vraniskovski to continue serving his sentence.

The leader of Macedonia's opposition Social Democrats, Zoran Zaev, has been charged by police with attempting to topple the conservative government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski with the help of a foreign intelligence service.

SKOPJE - Head of the Christian Orthodox Diocese of Ohrid Archbishop Jovan Vraniskovski has been released on parole after the Court of Appeal in Skopje rejected the appeal by the public prosecutor, who wanted Vraniskovski to continue serving his sentence.

The court decision to release Vraniskovski is valid until March 23, 2017, according to the Macedonian news agency MIA.

Video of accused opposition leader's meeting with PM

SKOPJE -- Video footage has been aired showing opposition leader Zoran Zaev admit to PM Nikola Gruevski that he had received materials from foreign intelligence services.

In the video broadcast by Macedonia's TV Sitel, Zaev is heard saying he met several times with "foreigners" and that he was "sure of what he got."

Opposition leader charged with conspiring to organize coup

SKOPJE -- The U.S. embassy in Skopje has said that it was following the criminal proceedings against Zoran Zaev "with concern."

Zaev, leader of the Social Democrats, was charged by police on Saturday with conspiring with a foreign intelligence service to topple the government.

Dacic to travel to Pristina in late March

BELGRADE -- Ivica Dacic visited the OSCE Mission in Belgrade on Thursday and announced that he will also visit the missions in Skopje and Podgorica in February.

The Serbian foreign minister and OSCE chairperson-in-office added he would travel to the OSCE mission in Pristina in March.

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairman Ivica Dacic visited the OSCE Mission in Belgrade on Thursday and announced that he will also visit the missions in Skopje and Podgorica in February, while he would pay a visit to the OSCE mission in Pristina in March.

The European Trade Union Committee for Education, ETUCEE, said it supported a strike by teachers in Macedonia over a new system of evaluation of their work that includes fines - but urged all sides to continue talks.