Tetovo
COVID-19 Pandemic Ebbs and Flows in Balkans, Eastern Europe
Some Balkan and Central European countries are facing the risk of a second big wave of COVID-19 cases after lifting restrictive measures imposed to curb the pandemic - some say prematurely.
North Macedonia Reimposes Long Curfews as COVID Cases Spike
After another worrying peak in infections over the past few days, North Macedonia has ordered a full 80-hour lockdown of the capital, Skopje, and the towns of Tetovo, Kumanovo and Stip. Curfews there will start at 9 pm on Thursday and last until 5 am on Monday.
BIRN Fact-check: Does North Macedonia’s Budget Merit the ‘Human Capital’ Hype?
"An increase in salaries does not mean investing in human capital," said economics professor Abdulmenaf Bexheti of the South Eastern Europe University in the western town of Tetovo.
"If we want to invest in human capital then we need to invest extensively and consistently in the education sector, from preschool to higher education."
Winter’s Approach Enfolds Balkan Cities in Polluted Air
With winter on the way, the capitals of Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Bulgaria, as well as some other industrial centres in these countries, are again suffering alarming levels of air pollution, charts show.
Greece offers condolences over North Macedonia bus crash
Greece's foreign ministry expressed its condolences over the deadly bus crash in North Macedonia on Wednesday night that killed 14 people and injured dozens more.
"Deeply saddened by tragic road accident on the Skopje-Tetovo highway. Our thoughts go out to the victims' families and loved ones," the ministry said in a tweet.
"5 of Europe's 10 most polluted cities are in Balkans"
According to the agency, the only ones who are happy are vendors of air purifiers.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on the list of the ten most polluted cities in Europe, five are in the Balkans, and they are Bosnia-Herzegovina), Pljevlja (Montenegro) and Skopje, Tetovo and Bitola (Macedonia).
Macedonia Opposition Torn Over Referendum Campaign Cash
Macedonia's main opposition VMRO DPMNE party is in a dilemma over whether to tap into the 1.3 million euros that parliament has set aside for campaigning for the September 30 "name" referendum. It has until the end of Monday to officially make up its mind.
Macedonian Smog Envelopes Cities, Emergency Measures Introduced
As 2017 ended and 2018 began, Macedonia took emergency measures against dense smog enveloping its cities, an annual winter scourge in the Western Balkans blamed on a mix of coal burning, ageing industry and high-polluting emissions from older vehicles.
Serbian Police Arrest Alleged 'Synthetic Drugs King'
Milan Zarubica, called one of the "greatest makers of synthetic drugs" in the region by Serbia's Interior Ministry, was arrested on Friday in Serbia together with seven others suspected of making and selling narcotics.
Ruling Parties Seal Local Election Victory in Macedonia
Macedonia's SDSM, led by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, confirmed its widespread support, winning 18 of the 35 municipalities in which voting took place Sunday. The first round already suggested widespread support on October 15 (SDSM won 39), which together with Sunday's vote means that in total the party now controls at least 57 out of Macedonia's 81 municipalities.