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Archived edition · August 03, 2026 Today's news →

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Wildfire 🌲

EU path talks 'under radar'; water dispute escalates.

New wildfires have erupted at five locations near Raec village, prompting an urgent appeal from the mayor of Kavadarci for help and for citizens to avoid the area due to the extremely serious situation. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Timcho Mutsunski confirmed that discreet, 'under the radar' negotiations are underway to unblock the nation's European Union accession path, signaling a new diplomatic approach.

The ongoing debate over water quality intensified as the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) party alleged that Gostivar's water has been unfit for drinking for two years and claimed that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski admitted to a criminal act related to the issue. Separately, a significant social issue came to light with an employee reporting discrimination after informing her employers of her pregnancy.

Adding to the day's developments, Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski stated that Bulgaria is subjecting the nation to 'bullying,' while the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), a government coalition partner, criticized the concept of a 'Serbian World.' In a somber note, Dr. Nikola Stojanovski, the first president of the multi-party Assembly, passed away at the age of 103.

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New Wildfires Erupt as Crisis Continues

Despite an existing nationwide state of crisis due to fire risk, new wildfires have broken out at five distinct locations near Raec village, Kavadarci, prompting the local mayor to issue an urgent plea for assistance and for citizens to avoid the area due to the severity of the situation.

EU Accession Talks and Diplomatic Tensions

Minister of Foreign Affairs Timcho Mutsunski revealed that 'under the radar' negotiations are in progress to facilitate North Macedonia's EU accession. This comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions, with Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski accusing Bulgaria of 'bullying' and the BDI party criticizing the concept of a 'Serbian World.'

Escalation in Gostivar Water Pollution Debate

The political dispute over water quality in Gostivar has escalated, with the SDSM party claiming the water has been undrinkable for two years and alleging that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski admitted to a criminal act concerning the issue. This has reignited clashes between the ruling government and the opposition.

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