AGP Executive Report

Football & Accountability: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted he used a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, saying he was driven by fear and “deep mistrust” of vaccines. Sports Governance: Prosecutors in Lucerne are investigating; Switzerland’s federation says Xhaka will miss upcoming Nations League matches, including fixtures involving North Macedonia. Scotland Squad Shake-up: New Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli called up Blackburn midfielder Kristi Montgomery after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean withdrew, with the squad training in La Manga ahead of Nations League games vs Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. Local Politics & EU Context: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski said talks with Bulgaria are being pursued with European partners, stressing EU participation and a need to rebuild trust. Arts & Culture Spotlight: The Global Fred Award forum in Beijing highlighted international cultural cooperation, including recognition for North Macedonian scholar-artist Zoran Poposki.

Sports & Ethics: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted he used a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate, apologized, and said he’s cooperating with authorities; prosecutors in Lucerne are investigating, and the Swiss FA has sidelined him from the upcoming Nations League camp and matches. North Macedonia–EU Dialogue: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says North Macedonia is ready to discuss a minorities plan with Bulgaria, but wants EU participation in the process. Football Injury Watch: Manchester United face uncertainty around Benjamin Šeško as he’s assessed for a recurring shin injury that could affect his availability for Slovenia’s Nations League games including vs North Macedonia. Arts & Culture (Local Spotlight): North Macedonia’s Zoran Poposki received a 2026 Global Fred Award for International Excellence Contribution, highlighting international art communication and cross-border cultural exchange. Media & Streaming: Apple is expanding iCloud+ bundles to include Apple TV and Apple Arcade in 100+ countries, including North Macedonia. Sports Media Access: EuroLeague TV added more domestic leagues to its live offering, with availability listed for North Macedonia among other territories.

Arts & Culture: North Macedonia’s Zoran Poposki, an internationally known interdisciplinary artist and educator, received the 2026 Global Fred Award for International Excellence Contribution, highlighting cross-border art communication and education. Film & TV: The 44th Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival opens in Varna with “Nina Roza” and a competitive lineup including “She Who Remains” and “Black Money for White Nights,” plus tributes and a film roundtable on Bulgaria’s place in Europe. Sports (Regional): EuroLeague TV expands its live coverage with more domestic leagues for 2026-27, including availability in North Macedonia, while the EHF says 11 nations have expressed interest to host the 2034 European Handball Euros, with North Macedonia among the bidders. Music/Pop Culture: Tom Felton’s sci-fi “Altered” is finding a second life on streaming, climbing HBO Max’s global charts. Community & Heritage: A Mother Teresa anniversary Mass marked the 10th year since her canonization, with her Albanian roots traced back to Skopje.

Arts & Culture: North Macedonia’s interdisciplinary artist and educator Zoran Poposki was honored with the 2026 Global Fred Award in Beijing, spotlighting cross-border art communication and education. Sports & Media: EuroLeague TV is expanding its live coverage by adding multiple domestic leagues, including availability in North Macedonia, as the platform grows beyond EuroLeague and EuroCup. Sports (Football): Scotland’s Nations League plans include matches involving North Macedonia, with updates on squad availability and return timelines for players linked to the North Macedonia fixtures. Tech & Energy: A North Macedonia-based solar monitoring operation is highlighted in EU PVSEC coverage, where DynVOLT’s AI forecasting and SCADA-linked system is presented with verified day-ahead results. Entertainment Tech: iCloud+ now bundles Apple TV and Apple Arcade in North Macedonia and many other countries, changing how local audiences access streaming and games. Religion & Heritage: A feature on the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches explains how ancient liturgical traditions remain in communion with Rome, offering cultural context for the region’s faith history.

Sports Spotlight: Poland and Germany booked the first European Volleyball Championship quarterfinal spots after the round of 16, with Ukraine set to face Romania next—North Macedonia fans will remember Ukraine’s group win over North Macedonia (3-0). Arts & Culture (North Macedonia): Zoran Poposki, a North Macedonia-based interdisciplinary artist and educator, received the 2026 Global Fred Award for International Excellence Contribution in Beijing, highlighting cross-border art education and cultural exchange. Tech & Media: iCloud+ now bundles Apple TV and Apple Arcade in 100+ countries, including North Macedonia—more streaming and gaming value for local audiences. Sports Media Access: EuroLeague TV expanded its live coverage with more domestic leagues, including availability in North Macedonia, boosting what fans can watch locally. International Arts/Events: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opened with visits to a Balkan Culture Pavilion, among other cultural stops.

Independence Day Scrutiny: North Macedonia’s opposition SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into Independence Day celebrations involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski isn’t enough, urging a full investigation into the reported €5.5m spending and overall organization. Sports & Pride: North Macedonia is named in the UEFA Nations League group as Scotland’s Nations League run includes a trip to North Macedonia (Oct 3), keeping regional football in the spotlight. Handball Hosting Buzz: The European Handball Federation received interest from 11 countries for the 2034 EHF Euros, with North Macedonia among those bidding—an arts-and-culture-adjacent boost for future events and tourism. Streaming & Tech for Culture: iCloud+ now bundles Apple TV and Apple Arcade in North Macedonia (and many countries), lowering the barrier to entertainment access. Media & AI Ethics: A journalism-focused report highlights how AI is accelerating disinformation and raises fresh questions about responsibility and safeguards. Arts on the Move: The Bend Sessions brings Pulitzer-nominated reporter Anne E. Schwartz to speak about breaking the Jeffrey Dahmer story—another reminder of how live talks keep global pop culture conversations local.

EuroLeague TV Expansion: EuroLeague’s OTT platform will add live domestic leagues from Australia, China, France, Germany, Greece, and Italy for 2026-27, with North Macedonia included among the available territories. Local Arts & Culture: Skopje-based creators Teona Strugar Mitevska and Sonja Prosenc are developing the six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy “Little Yugoslavia,” aiming to break the region’s male-dominated TV formula with women-led storytelling. Independence Day Probe: North Macedonia’s opposition SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s conflict-of-interest review over Independence Day celebrations involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski isn’t enough, urging a full investigation into the 5.5 million euro event financing and organization. Sports Spotlight: Scotland coach Sébastien Pocognoli has named Robbie Ure in his first squad for Nations League matches that include a trip to North Macedonia. International Film/TV: Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026 nominations include North Macedonia’s “Mother” (Teona Strugar Mitevska) and “DJ Ahmet” (Georgi M. Unkovski) among the contenders.

Independence Day Watch: North Macedonia’s opposition SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into independence celebrations involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski isn’t enough, urging prosecutors to investigate the full financing and organization of the €5.5m event. TV Development: Skopje director Teona Strugar Mitevska and Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc are developing “Little Yugoslavia,” a six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy built to push back against male-dominated regional TV, with development funding already secured. Sports & Culture Crossovers: AROYA Cruises says its Mediterranean Games 2026 charter in Taranto hosted 15,100 athletes and visitors across 20 nights, blending event logistics with onboard entertainment. Streaming for the Region: Apple is expanding iCloud+ into a bigger bundle, adding Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra cost in more than 100 countries, including North Macedonia. Arts & Media Industry: Craig Silverman warns that AI is accelerating “industrialised falsehood” in online life, building on earlier misinformation models he studied in North Macedonia. Film & TV Awards: Nominations are out for the Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026, with North Macedonia’s “Mother” (Teona Strugar Mitevska) among the contenders.

Eurovision Return: North Macedonia’s MRT confirmed it will come back to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, with a renewed, more transparent selection process aimed at promoting local music and culture. TV Development: Skopje-based creator Teona Strugar Mitevska and Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc are developing “Little Yugoslavia,” a six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy built to challenge male-dominated regional TV storylines. Independence Day Arts & Accountability: SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into independence celebrations involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski doesn’t go far enough, arguing prosecutors should investigate the full €5.5 million financing and organization. Sports Culture (Nations League): Ticketing guidance is circulating for Switzerland vs North Macedonia (Oct 6, 2026), while Scotland’s Nations League squad chatter keeps North Macedonia in the spotlight. Media & Tech: A report on AI and journalism highlights how generative tools are accelerating online disinformation—relevant to anyone watching media trust in the region.

AI & Journalism: A new wave of AI-in-news debate is turning from “can it work?” to “who pays and who’s liable,” after high-profile cases of quote fabrication and AI-fueled disinformation. EU–Canada Deal: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backs a plan to create an “associate member” status for Canada, aiming for deeper cooperation on AI, defense, energy, and critical minerals. Local Arts & Culture: North Macedonia’s MRT confirms it will return to Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, with a more transparent selection process promised. TV Development: Skopje-based creators Teona Strugar Mitevska and Sonja Prosenc are developing the punk-rock vampire horror comedy series “Little Yugoslavia,” built to spotlight women from the former Yugoslav region. Independence Day Scrutiny: Opposition SDSM urges a deeper probe into the financing and organization of North Macedonia’s Independence Day celebrations after a limited conflict-of-interest review involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski. Film & Media: Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026 nominations include North Macedonia’s “Mother” (Teona Strugar Mitevska) and “DJ Ahmet,” while “Da Vinci HD” expands across Central and Eastern Europe via A1 Telekom Austria.

Eurovision: North Macedonia’s MRT confirms it will return to Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria, with a more transparent selection process and new delegation leadership. Independence Day Arts & Accountability: Opposition SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into Independence Day celebrations involving composer/producer Nikolche Micevski isn’t enough, calling for a wider investigation into the full €5.5m financing and organisation. TV Development: Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska and Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc are developing “Little Yugoslavia,” a six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy built to challenge male-dominated regional TV storytelling. Film & TV Awards: Nominations are out for the Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026, with North Macedonia’s “Mother” (Teona Strugar Mitevska) among the leading contenders. Tech for Culture & Media: Apple expands iCloud+ in 100+ countries by bundling Apple TV and Apple Arcade (with Apple Music Select in some markets), potentially boosting access to entertainment services across the region.

Eurovision: North Macedonia’s MRT confirms it will return to Eurovision 2027 in Burgas after a five-year break, with a more transparent selection process promised to boost public trust and spotlight local music and culture. Independence Day Watch: SDSM says the State Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into independence celebrations is too narrow, urging prosecutors to investigate the full financing and organisation of the September 8 events after concerns around composer/producer Nikolche Micevski. Film & TV: Skopje-based Teona Strugar Mitevska and Slovenian co-creator Sonja Prosenc are developing the six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy Little Yugoslavia, aiming to break the region’s male-dominated TV formula with women-led storytelling. Arts Awards: The Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026 nominations include North Macedonia’s Teona Strugar Mitevska’s Mother among the TV contenders, while DJ Ahmet is listed in the film category. Literature: PRO-ZA Balkan’s International Literature Festival opens in Skopje, bringing regional authors and a program that also links literature with cinema. Digital Culture: UNICEF warns that social media is fueling child sexual abuse at massive scale, with most cases occurring on major platforms.

Eurovision Return: North Macedonia’s MRT confirms it will come back to Eurovision in 2027, with a more transparent selection process promised as the broadcaster sets up its delegation for Burgas, Bulgaria. TV Development: Skopje director Teona Strugar Mitevska and Slovenian filmmaker Sonja Prosenc are developing Little Yugoslavia, a six-part punk-rock vampire horror comedy built to push back against male-dominated regional TV storytelling. Film & TV Awards: Nominations are out for the Adriatic Film and TV Awards 2026, with North Macedonia’s DJ Ahmet leading the film field and the TV slate topped by regional titles including Black Sun. Arts & Culture Abroad: The International Literature Festival PRO-ZA Balkan opened in Skopje, bringing writers from across the region and exploring links between literature and cinema. Music/Performance: The Secret Chord, a Leonard Cohen docu-concert, returns to the Segal Centre with a rewritten storytelling script and a live band-led reimagining of Cohen classics. Tech for Creatives: Apple expands iCloud+ in 100+ countries by bundling Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra charge, with North Macedonia listed among supported markets.

Skopje Literature Scene: PRO-ZA Balkan’s 14th International Literature Festival opened at the Museum of the City of Skopje, bringing writers from across the region and exploring how contemporary prose links to cinema, with film screenings and poetry performances on the final day. Regional Arts & Identity: TÜRKSOY highlights how Turkish culture stays alive across the Balkans through language, literature, theatre, music and local youth involvement, with Prizren described as a “cultural hub.” North Macedonia in Global Publishing: North Macedonia’s Ambassador to the UAE says the country’s “Balkan Cultures” Guest of Honour slot at the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is strengthening cultural ties with the Arab world. Film & Festival Buzz: PriFest in Prishtina crowned Visar Morina’s Shame and Money as Best Film, while actor Astrit Kabashi won Best Actor. Music & Media: The Secret Chord, a Leonard Cohen docu-concert, returns to Toronto’s Segal Centre from Oct. 5–25 with rewritten storytelling and a live band. Arts on Record: Meraki Duo’s “Notes From The Living Room” spotlights flute-and-guitar works including Tadic’s Macedonian pieces.

Skopje Literature Scene: The 14th International Literature Festival PRO-ZA Balkan opened at the Museum of the City of Skopje with Bulgarian participation, bringing writers from across the region and spotlighting how contemporary prose connects to cinema, plus film screenings and poetry performances in the closing programme. International Book Diplomacy: North Macedonia’s “Balkan Culture” was named Guest of Honour at the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2026), with the North Macedonia ambassador highlighting the pavilion as a bridge to Arab audiences during the independence-anniversary period. Arts & Culture in Motion: A new Skopje march—“Freedom for the Liberators”—is set for Skanderbeg Square on Tuesday evening in support of former KLA leaders ahead of a Hague verdict. Music & Performance: “The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience” returns to the Segal Centre from Oct. 5–25, with rewritten storytelling and a live band reinterpreting Cohen classics. Local Sports Spotlight: North Macedonia international Bojan Miovski keeps Rangers’ momentum after a stoppage-time winner, as injuries reopen his chances.

Balkan Culture Spotlight: North Macedonia’s Ambassador to the UAE says the “Balkan Cultures” Guest of Honour at the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is a timely boost for cultural ties with Arab audiences, with the North Macedonia pavilion highlighted during the fair’s opening under UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Literature & Publishing: ADIBF 2026 runs Sept. 13–18 with a “Turn The Page, Read The World” theme, 1,500+ cultural events, and Balkan Culture as the featured guest programme. Film & TV (Region): The Adriatic Film and TV Awards nominees are out, led by North Macedonia’s Sundance hit “DJ Ahmet” with seven nominations, alongside titles like “Yugo Florida” and “Mother.” Arts & Community: A new autumn cinema season at Riverbank Arts Centre includes “DJ Ahmet,” plus a North Macedonia-set story and major classics like “Amélie” (25th anniversary). Music (Local Interest): “Notes From The Living Room” features the Meraki Duo’s flute-and-guitar world tour sound, including Macedonian pieces. Independence: North Macedonia marks 35 years of independence in the week’s cultural coverage.