7 February 2022 Skopje – President Stevo Pendarovski visited on Monday the family of 11 year-old girl Embla Ademi, and the primary school “Edinstvo” in Gostivar, where Embla attends the classes. She started with delay the second semester in her grade due to the boycott by the parents of her classmates who complained about the 11-year-old’s aggression caused by her Down’s Syndrome, which incited strong reactions in the public and from competent institutions last week. Skopje – Constitutional Court President Dobrila Kacarska on Monday sent a letter to Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi voicing concerns after the number of justices has reduced and requiring that four new Constitutional Court justices should be elected in Parliament as soon as possible. Skopje – The work of the Committee on Election and Appointment Issues is currently obstructed and the Parliament cannot elect constitutional judges at this time, said Speaker Talat Xhaferi in response to a letter by Constitutional Court President Dobrila Kacarska. Skopje – The Ministry of Education and Science rebutted news that went viral on social media that Greek hackers had taken down the Education Ministry’s computer system and taken control of the surveillance cameras and website. Skopje – Cyber attacks are real threat for all institutions, but the news shared widely via media on Sunday was false, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski said in regard to the news shared on social media that the Greek hacker group had taken down the Ministry of Education and Science’s computer system and taken control over surveillance cameras and website. Skopje – Instead of being a leader in the European integration of North Macedonia, Bulgaria has no interest in surrounding the neighboring country with a new Berlin Wall, professor Ivo Indjov, an expert in political communications, tells Euractiv. Shtip – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Monday now is not the time for early elections but for coping with the health and energy crises, but also development of the economy, adding that elections would take place in 2024, as scheduled. Skopje – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski told reporters on Monday he expects this week’s talks at the level of the ministries of foreign affairs of North Macedonia and Bulgaria to be in the spirit of European values, respecting the two countries and the dignity of their citizens. Skopje – Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj met Monday with the Dutch Ambassador Dirk Jan Kopp and discussed dynamics of the European integration process, continuation of the cooperation between the two countries as well as Dutch’s financial support for projects in North Macedonia. Skopje – The new defense cooperation agreement between North Macedonia and Greece, signed in 2019, has opened many opportunities and created a new climate of trust and cooperation. One of the biggest benefits of this agreement is the possibility for both armies to work together, establish new contacts and enhance mutual friendship and alliance, agreed Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska and Greek Ambassador Roussos Koundouros on Monday. Skopje – Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska met Monday with German Ambassador Anke Holstein, discussing bilateral defense cooperation and geopolitical challenges on the European continent. Skopje – The ruling party SDSM calls on VMRO-DPMNE to withdraw the Goce Delchev declaration, submitted by the opposition party on Delchev’s 150^th birth anniversary marked last week. Skopje – Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri and OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Clemens Koja, agreed Monday over the continued progress of bilateral cooperation in the interest of enhancing interethnic relation and coexistence. Skopje – Ambassador David Geer, Head of the delegation of the European Union, and Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski marked on Monday at the Parliamentary Club in Skopje the completion of the establishment and preparation of the TETRA radio communication system developed with substantial EU assistance. Skopje – Minimum wage in North Macedonia is among the lowest ones in this region, amounting to around EUR 250 per month, followed closely only by Albania, where the minimum wage is EUR 236. Skopje – As of Monday midnight, the price of gasoline fuels is up by Mden 1.5 per liter, while that of diesel fuels is to rise by Mden 2 per liter, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Skopje — Businesses should be allowed to independently decide if they should give their workers Sundays off instead of being legally required do so, according to members of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia at a news conference Monday. Prilep – After a two-year hiatus, the Prilep Forgiveness Carnival will be held this year, namely the annual bear mask with a tradition spanning centuries – the main feature of the carnival – will take place March 6 – Forgiveness Day. Skopje – The Writers’ Association of Macedonia (DPM) has handed out awards for 2021 to Ivica Chelikovikj, Sande Stojchevski, Dimitar Pandev and Venko Andonovski, the Association says. Athens/Lisbon/Tel Aviv — Travelling to Greece became easier on Monday, with Athens no longer requiring a negative PCR or an antigen test from vaccinated individuals seeking to enter the country. Beijing — Canada’s women’s ice hockey team beat the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Monday at the Beijing Olympics in a game delayed by one hour and where all players had to wear protective masks under their helmets.