Srgjan Kerim

After more than a decade-and-a-half of existence, two of Macedonia's best-known dailies, Utrinski Vesnik and Vest, face closure this weekend, possibly leaving more than 50 journalists out of work.

Former Macedonian foreign minister and the U.N. General Assembly's 62nd president, Srgjan Kerim, has requested Turkey's support for his candidacy to succeed Ban Ki-moon as U.N. secretary general.

Helen Clark, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, has officially announced she is running for the UN Secretary-General's office.

Clark, who at the moment heads the UN Development Program, is seen as a strong rival to UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova. To date, the latter has been described as a "frontrunner" in the race.

Between April 12 and 14, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will hold informal dialogues with the seven candidates for UN Secretary-General who have been nominated so far.

This was stated in a letter released by UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft, outlining the rules and schedule of hearings.

Irina Bokova, Bulgaria's former Foreign Minister and current UNESCO Director-General, appears to be "by far the strongest candidate from Eastern Europe" to be the next UN Secretary General, a recent ranking shows.

If Macedonia's government has its own way, Srgjan Kerim will replace Ban Ki-moon as the next UN Secretary General next year.