NEWS OF THE DAY: The value of the destroyed wiretapping system “Nice” is 1.4 million euros
Court case “Target-Fortress” today continued with an addition to the evidentiary procedure. Forensic expert Zvonko Kocovski gave his statement at today’s hearing, who said that at the time the wiretapping system “Nice” was destroyed, its value was 1.4 million euros.
The defence of the accused reacted in that the direct interrogation of this expert is an exception in law, as this forensic expert gave his statement on the proposal of the court. The opinion of the prosecution was that in regards to this question, a court practice has been established in the “Tank” case and that it is not a matter of an exception in law.
The defence of defendant Gordana Jankulovska, in its cross-examination, requested further clarification by expert Kocovski, why an analysis of the value of the hardware, software and licences of the wiretapping system has not been made.
STATEMENT OF THE DAY: Ivanovska: A response from the government is still being awaited for the adoption of the Strategy for combatting corruption
“It’s unfortunate that for the second year in a row our country has not adopted a strategy for combatting corruption, despite the fact that it has been prepared by us. The Action Plan has been updated and now that strategy is 2021-2025. It has been developed in a very inclusive manner, prepared with representatives of the ministries, NGOs, media and a summary of experiences and expertise has been made, but the problem is that we are still waiting for a response from the government”, stated in Morning Briefing President of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption Biljana Ivanovska.
CIVIL ACTIVITIES
The policy of impunity for spreading and promoting hate speech in public space, in a way can be assumed as their justification. The silence and impunity have the same effect as expressing consent, and even encouraging it. And even worse, it encourages the use of hate speech, which inevitable leads to hate crimes.
The public can testify to how hatred on the social networks and in public space leads to the danger of causing and resulting in hate crimes, and even acts of political violence.
FLASH NEWS
The health authorities in the country are seriously considering the possibility for procuring vaccines against Covid-19 from Chinese manufacturers “Sinovak” and “Sinofarm”, confirmed Minister of Health Venko Filipce in an interview for the TV show “360 degrees” on TV Alsat. With the help of the Chinese Embassy in the country, contacts with vaccine manufacturers there have already been made.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and the head of Macedonian diplomacy Bujar Osmani at today’s meeting with Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of EU, Josep Borell, spoke about the vaccines and the regional challenges.
The European perspective of North Macedonia, the good neighbourly relations, regional initiatives, as well as the expectations of the period that follows, were the main topics of today’s meeting in Brussels of Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani with EU Special Representative for the Western Balkans and Belgrade – Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcek.
The government adopted the three-year strategy for structural reforms –of the Economic Reform Programme (ERP) 2021-2023, announced the Ministry of Finance. The program, the preparation of which was coordinated by the Ministry of Finance, contains the medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal framework, as well as structural reforms that are to be implemented, and which have been determined through joint dialogue with the European Commission.
Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski today signed the Letter of Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on establishing a national airport interagency task force, announced the government press service.
Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Jagoda Shahpaska today met with the Director of the State Statistical Office, Apostol Simovski, where they discussed the upcoming census of the population of the Republic of North Macedonia and about the need of a possible joint cooperation in the part on counting the homeless.
Parliamentary Committee on Financing and Budget today adopted the amendment to the Law on financial support to several categories of citizens, which extends the deadline for using the funds until March 31, this year. The proposed legal solution is in the first reading.
translation: N. Cvetkovska
