Lauded by political leaders in North Macedonia, ammunition producer Shefshet Demirovski has twice been embroiled in espionage scandals in neighbouring Serbia, was bailed out by a man later charged with cocaine smuggling, yet enjoys a slice of the NATO arms market thanks to strong US and Turkish ties.
The new gas interconnector will open the way for a south-north energy route carrying liquefied natural gas arriving at Greece’s Alexandroupolis terminal towards Serbia and Central Europe.
North Macedonia is heading into the new school year with around 14,500 entry-level pupils enrolled so far, almost 38 per cent fewer than a decade ago, as falling birth rates and emigration force shutdowns of schools and classes.
As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations.
North Macedonia’s prosecution indicted former First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi and seven other people for alleged abuse of office over the purchase of video lottery terminals, which cost the State Lottery 8.2 million euros.
Journalist Vasko Popetrevski says the Ohrid Agreement stopped the bloodshed in 2001 – but the deep divisions in society that produced the conflict have not been completely reconciled.
Ruling VMRO DPMNE gets lion's share of state funding for country's parties, while main opposition Social Democrats see funding fall, under system that rewards election performance.
Ten years after a flash flood caused devastation near Skopje, BIRN found many of the conditions that turned an extreme weather event into a disaster remain in place.
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Посети го изворот ↗Demirovski: Macedonian Ammo Maker Untouched by Scandals in Serbia
Lauded by political leaders in North Macedonia, ammunition producer Shefshet Demirovski has twice been embroiled in espionage scandals in neighbouring Serbia, was bailed out by a man later charged with cocaine smuggling, yet enjoys a slice of the NATO arms market thanks to strong US and Turkish ties.
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 31, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.
North Macedonia, Serbia Sign Pipeline Agreement to Enable Regional Gas Link
The new gas interconnector will open the way for a south-north energy route carrying liquefied natural gas arriving at Greece’s Alexandroupolis terminal towards Serbia and Central Europe.
North Macedonia Sees Drop in New School Pupils amid Demographic Woes
North Macedonia is heading into the new school year with around 14,500 entry-level pupils enrolled so far, almost 38 per cent fewer than a decade ago, as falling birth rates and emigration force shutdowns of schools and classes.
Plea Deals Reveal Logistics of Smuggling Macedonian Marijuana into Serbia
Court papers show how marijuana flowed across the North Macedonia-Serbia border declared as pillows, cakes and duvets.
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 24, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.
Translation Cutbacks Limit International Access to North Macedonia’s Literature
A two-year hiatus in state funding for translations is making it harder for Macedonian writers to reach foreign readers.
‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’
As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations.
North Macedonia Indicts Ex-Deputy PM Grubi Over Lottery Machines Purchase
North Macedonia’s prosecution indicted former First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi and seven other people for alleged abuse of office over the purchase of video lottery terminals, which cost the State Lottery 8.2 million euros.
Quarter-Century After Peace Deal, North Macedonia Has Yet to Fully Heal
Journalist Vasko Popetrevski says the Ohrid Agreement stopped the bloodshed in 2001 – but the deep divisions in society that produced the conflict have not been completely reconciled.
North Macedonia Parties Share Out Nearly €9 Million from State Budget
Ruling VMRO DPMNE gets lion's share of state funding for country's parties, while main opposition Social Democrats see funding fall, under system that rewards election performance.
A Decade After North Macedonia’s Deadliest Floods, Dangers Remain
Ten years after a flash flood caused devastation near Skopje, BIRN found many of the conditions that turned an extreme weather event into a disaster remain in place.