EU Ambassador to Skopje launches construction of new border crossing

The construction of the EU-funded border crossing Markova Noga – Lemos between North Macedonia and Greece has begun. The project was presented in the Greek municipality of Lemos.
The event was attended by North Macedonia’s Minister of Interior Panče Toškovski, Greece’s Minister of Interior Theodoros Livanios and the EU Ambassador to Skopje Michalis Rokas, said MIA.

With the new crossing point, travel time between Resen and Lemos will be reduced from over two hours to just 40 minutes, enabling greater cross-border mobility, stronger economic and cultural exchange, and giving a boost to regional tourism in the Prespa Lakes area.

The border crossing will be designated for cars and vehicles carrying no more than 10 passengers, but not for trucks or buses, in order to protect the fragile natural environment of the region.

Romania's longest cable-stayed bridge inaugurated in Satu Mare

The Transylvania Bridge over the Someș River, the longest cable-stayed bridge in Romania, was inaugurated in Satu Mare.
''The Transylvania Bridge is not just a structure made of concrete, steel and iron. It is a marvel of engineering and an economic landmark for the entire city, a project that will dwell in our memory for generations'', Satu Mare Mayor Gábor Kereskényi said at the ceremony.

The construction project, worth over 200 million Romanian lei, is the largest public investment in the country in the past 30 years. Built in five years, the 644-meter long four-lane bridge is one of the most complex and ambitious infrastructure projects in Romania. Designed in the shape of a harp, it is supported by two 73-meter-high pillars and 56 high-strength steel cables. The structure weighs 227 tons and has a load capacity exceeding 12,000 tons.

Members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts call for the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić 

Members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts are calling for the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. ''We have witnessed the collapse of the electoral process through the manipulation of voter lists, vote-buying and the abuse of state resources'', the members of the academy said. The members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts also highlighted problems such as the suppression of press freedom and media pluralism. ''With the usurpation of national television frequencies and the transformation of public television into a propaganda tool of the authorities, we have witnessed the destruction of the fundamental pillars of society — education, healthcare, science, culture and arts'', the statement reads, as reported by BGNES.

Meanwhile, in an address to the nation, Alaksandar Vucić stated that the ''color revolution'' in the country had reached a dead end, and that elections would be held ''when the time comes''.

Türkiye’s Parliament grants Diyanet authority over Quran translations

On the eve of the Muslim holiday Kurban Bayrami (Eid-al Idha), Türkiye’s Parliament approved legal amendments allowing the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) to censor and confiscate translations of the Quran deemed "objectionable in terms of the fundamental characteristics of Islam", turkiyetoday.com reported.

The Diyanet will have the authority to review Turkish-language translations of the Quran either on its own initiative or at the request of private individuals.

If the content is found ''congroversial from the perspective of Islam’s fundamental characteristics'', the institution can request that state authorities halt printing, destroy existing copies, confiscate, or suspend distribution, including online. However, experts are concerned that there are no clear criteria for determining whether a translation is "controversial".

Greece and Egypt seek solution on Sinai Monastery issue

Differences between Greece and Egypt over the future of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai remain unresolved after a meeting in Cairo between delegations from both countries, according to Skai.gr. Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty told his Greek counterpart Georgios Gerapetritis that the spiritual and religious character of the monastery would be preserved. However, this does not resolve the issue of the monastery’s status, as the Egyptian court has declared it state property. According to Athens, this contradicts the agreement between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that the legal dispute should be settled through an out-of-court agreement.

The Monastery of Saint Catherine, which still flies the Byzantine flag, is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.