Archived edition · August 12, 2026 Today's news →

What's happening in Europe?

Flag of North Macedonia

North Macedonia

News summary for

Go to today →

Gambling 🎲

Driver Visa Breakthroughs, Filipche Probe, and Wildfire Crisis

North Macedonia has achieved a significant breakthrough in international relations, successfully resolving driver visa issues with Switzerland, Croatia, and Romania. Negotiations are also underway with Austria, Germany, and Hungary to further ease travel for professional transporters. This positive development aims to facilitate economic activity and strengthen ties with European partners.

Domestically, the Public Prosecutor's Office is being urged to investigate former Health Minister Venko Filipche, who is now the president of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia and Leader of the Opposition, over allegations that he ignored more than 400 reports of polluted water in Gostivar. This new development intensifies the ongoing scrutiny of water quality and official accountability. Meanwhile, the country faces a critical situation with over 20 active wildfires, with the most severe outbreaks reported in Dragov Dol and Morane, highlighting a persistent environmental challenge.

Other notable domestic news includes reports of widespread gambling among teenagers, prompting calls for public health intervention, and complaints from citizens regarding the lack of air conditioning on buses amidst soaring temperatures. The government has also announced that most textbooks for the new academic year have been distributed under a new model that places primary responsibility on publishers.

Top stories

North Macedonia Secures EU Visa Agreements for Transporters

North Macedonia has successfully signed bilateral agreements with Switzerland, Croatia, and Romania to resolve visa issues for professional transporters. The government is also actively negotiating with Austria, Germany, and Hungary to extend these facilitations, aiming to streamline international transport and boost economic cooperation.

Prosecution Urged to Investigate Former Minister Over Gostivar Water Pollution

Calls are mounting for the Public Prosecutor's Office to launch an investigation into former Minister of Health Venko Filipche, who currently serves as the president of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia and Leader of the Opposition. He is accused of allegedly ignoring over 400 reports concerning polluted water in Gostivar, raising questions about accountability for public health in the region.

Teenage Gambling Identified as Growing Public Health Problem

A recent report by the Association Hera highlights that a significant 25% of students aged 15-16 are engaging in gambling for money. The organization is classifying this trend as a serious public health issue that requires immediate attention and intervention.

Passengers Complain About Lack of Bus Air Conditioning Amidst 40°C Heat

As temperatures in North Macedonia soar to 40°C, public transport users are voicing strong complaints about the widespread lack of functional air conditioning in buses. This issue is significantly impacting daily commutes and passenger comfort during the intense heatwave.

Online Scams and Fake Fines: Police Warn Public

The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning to citizens about fraudulent SMS messages containing payment links for alleged traffic violations, impersonating the "Safe City" initiative. Police have provided guidelines to help the public identify and avoid these deceptive scams. Additionally, a man was sentenced to a year in prison for impersonating a police officer and extorting money through fictitious fines.

Kumanovo Municipality's €1.6 Million Borrowing Procedure Ruled Illegal

The State Inspectorate for Local Self-Government has intervened to halt the Kumanovo Municipality's plan to borrow 1.6 million euros. The Inspectorate ruled that the municipal council's decision to proceed with the borrowing was not in accordance with legal requirements.

Most Textbooks Distributed, New Model Shifts Publisher Responsibility

The distribution of the majority of textbooks for the upcoming academic year has been completed. Under a new system, publishing houses are now taking primary responsibility for this process, as confirmed by Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska.

Government Claims Significantly Lower Inflation Compared to Previous Term

An article asserts that the current inflation rate is three times lower than during the tenure of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) government. This claim is supported by indicators such as combined export growth, increased production, and reduced unemployment.

News sources