Sinisa Jakov Marusic

The first-ever Pride Parade staged in the capital of North Macedonia started on Saturday at noon in the park in front of the national assembly in the centre of Skopje. After a stroll through the sun-drenched city streets, the marchers ended up in Skopje's main park.

After Sunday’s short torrential rain and hailstones the size of marbles, which took residents by surprise, the authorities on Tuesday restored matters to normal.

The latest report of the World Bank says Macedonia’s economy grew last year by 3.1 per cent of GDP, well above the regional average of 2.2 per cent growth in 2013.

Towns squares in Macedonia were filled on Sunday with people donating and packing shipments of food, clothing and other equipment, as part of a nationwide effort to help flood victims in Serbia and Bosnia.

The leftist Solidarnost (Solidarity) movement, the Lenka movement for social justice, as well as the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers, SSNM, are among a few unions that plan to use May 1, international labour day, to hold protests in Macedonia.

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, KSOM, has also joined the call to join Mayday protests.

As the country gears up for the start of two election campaigns later this month, for both general and presidential elections, Macedonia's institutions say they are ready for the nationwide operation.

A new report by CIVIL – Center for Freedom, an NGO, documents numerous human rights violations over 2013 and at the start of this year in Macedonia.

Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos - whose country holds the EU presidency - said he felt more optimistic on the “name” dispute after meeting Macedonian leaders on Thursday.