MKOwnership & classification
Founded: 1992
Ownership
Makfax is North Macedonia's first private news agency, founded in Skopje in December 1992 by journalist Risto Popovski, who was its initial director. In 2009 it was acquired by businessman Igor Leshtar and folded into his Clip Media Group DOOEL Skopje, a portfolio of online media outlets. It remains privately held through that company and is not state-owned.
Funding
As a commercial news agency and online outlet, Makfax is financed mainly through advertising and content/subscription services to other media, within the Clip Media Group's commercial operations. Like most Macedonian online media it is not obliged to disclose detailed finances, and its funding transparency is limited.
Affiliation & stance
Makfax is privately and commercially owned with no formal party, church or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT. North Macedonia's media-ownership monitors flag the online sector as the least transparent, but no documented party or government ownership ties it to a political bloc, and its CENTER editorial positioning is consistent with a general-news wire service.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 236
83/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
486
Articles
486
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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The fans are angry at Ronaldo.
Франција се бори со пожари по екстремниот топлински бран (ФОТО)
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Mickoski: I have no ambition to be president, I will lead VMRO-DPMNE to another victory
Recent coverage
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
A 14-year-old boy was stabbed and injured: criminal against three felons for committing a crime Rape of a child
The article reports on three separate news stories from North Macedonia. The first story discusses a fire in Probus, where a house was destroyed and local authorities are coordinating efforts to control the blaze, urging residents to avoid unnecessary movement near the affected area. The second story mentions a fire near the Iskar River in Štip, which has been addressed by firefighters and local residents. The third story highlights concerns over some supermarkets increasing their profit margins by 2–5% compared to last year, prompting Premier Christian Micevski to call for meetings to address the issue, emphasizing that such practices are unacceptable.
Gas interconnector with Greece is progressing as planned: completion expected next year, Energy Ministry says
The Macedonian Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, along with NORMAGAS and the Greek gas transmission operator DESFA, has confirmed progress on the construction of the gas interconnector between North Macedonia and Greece. The project, considered one of the most significant energy infrastructure initiatives for the country and region, is expected to be completed by next year according to established timelines and plans. Discussions during working meetings involving Minister Sanja Bozhinovska, NORMAGAS Director Nedim Rama, and DESFA’s Chief Executive Maria Sferuca focused on current activities, coordination efforts, and regional initiatives such as the 'Vertical Gas Corridor' aimed at enhancing energy connectivity and security. Both parties emphasized the strategic importance of the interconnector for diversifying energy supply, strengthening national security, and integrating into broader European energy networks.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Parliamentary battle over budget rebalancing, the government talks about development, the opposition about new debts and a budget hole
The article discusses the debate over a budget rebalancing proposal in Macedonia, highlighting differing perspectives between the ruling coalition and the opposition. The opposition, represented by SDSM's Sana Lukareshka, criticizes the proposed changes, arguing they fail to address critical issues like inflation, living standards, and pension system challenges. She emphasizes the need for concrete measures to reduce inflation and improve transparency, warning against using vague terms like 'budget deficit' as justification for opaque spending. In contrast, VMRO-DPMNE's Bojan Stojanoski defends the rebalancing plan, asserting it reflects continued economic direction rather than a shift, and highlights increased capital investments and development projects aimed at infrastructure and public services. He argues the proposals support tangible improvements such as roads, railways, hospitals, and education, while noting improved economic indicators and higher capital expenditures compared to previous periods.
NATO to provide €140 billion in military aid to Ukraine
The article discusses several topics, including comments by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticizing Generation Z for being born with a 'silver spoon in their mouths,' financial disclosures showing increased income for Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump in 2025, and Croatian President Zoran Milanović commenting on the formation of a new military alliance and the need to consult citizens on such matters.
White House spokeswoman criticized Generation Z: Born with a silver spoon in their mouth
НATO ќе обезбеди 140 милијарди евра воена помош за Украина во следните две години, како дел од иницијатива одлучена на самитот во Анкара. Средствата ќе бидат распределени по 70 милијарди евра годишно, со европските членки и Канада како главни донатори. Заемот на ЕУ за Украина од 60 милијарди евра е вклучен во оваа сума, што значи дека сојузниците треба да обезбедат по 40 милијарди евра годишно од своите национални буџети. Германија објави дека ќе помогне на Украина со 11,5 милијарди евра во 2026 година. Во последните месеци, НАТО користела програмата 'ПУРЛ' за доставување на оружје и муниција на Украина преку САД и европските сојузници.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Hungarian PM flies to NATO summit with ВWiz Air: The crown will not fall from our heads
BBC investigators discovered that Instagram in India is running paid advertisements promoting material involving child sexual abuse. These ads, using terms like 'rape video' and 'child video', direct users to Telegram channels where such content can be purchased for around $1. The advertisements appear after being approved by Instagram's content moderation technology. BBC created a fake account in India to investigate further and found that the platform displays sexually suggestive content even when users do not request it. Within less than a week, Instagram began showing ads featuring women offering video calls and naked couples having sex. Soon after, ads appeared depicting children in sexually suggestive situations with links to Telegram channels. Around 30 unique ads promoting child sexual abuse were identified, while approximately 20 adult pornography ads were also displayed on the fake account. One ad showed a boy and girl, both around 12 years old, engaged in a sexual act. Another depicted a man touching a girl, with text stating he is 52 and she is 12, accompanied by a link to a Telegram channel. When BBC posted an ad showing a crying girl with text suggesting she was being
Three municipal committees, the Union of Youth Forces and the Women's Union of VMRO-DPMNE received new presidents
The article reports on leadership changes within the VMRO-DPMNE party in North Macedonia. Premier Christian Miceleski announced that three municipal committees (OKs) have new presidents: Dejan Pandilevski for OK Kicevo, Goran Iskov for OK Bitola, and Christian Tuneski for OK Prilep. The previous leaders were replaced due to their roles in government positions. Additionally, new leaders were appointed for the Union of Young Forces and the Union of Women, with Todor Koneski and Maria Mitova selected respectively. Miceleski emphasized that these changes aim to bring new energy, improve quality of work, and accelerate reforms, economic growth, and investments to meet citizens' expectations.
Vlado Janevski died, one of the greatest Macedonian musicians left
Vlado Jankovski, a prominent Macedonian singer, composer, and lyricist, passed away at the age of 66 after a short illness at a Skopje clinic. He was widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in Macedonian pop music, having created numerous hit songs throughout his decades-long career. Born on November 27, 1960, in Skopje, he graduated from the Faculty of Philology and was part of several musical groups including 'Tost Sandwich,' 'Bon Ton,' 'Fotomodel,' and 'Lastovica.' In addition to singing, he played piano, guitar, and drums. In 1998, he became Macedonia's first official representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, performing 'Ne zori zoro' in Birmingham. Throughout his career, he performed at many domestic and international festivals, including Jugovizija in Belgrade and Slavianski Bazaar in Belarus. He released six studio albums and left behind a lasting legacy in Macedonian music.
Changing cloudy weather, afternoon local thunderstorm
The article covers three separate news items. First, parts of the municipalities of Ilinca and Georgi Petrov experienced power outages due to maintenance work by EVN Macedonia AD. Second, Prime Minister Christian Miceleski stated he has no ambition to run for president and plans to lead VMRO-DPMNE to another parliamentary victory. He mentioned his intention to return to university after completing his political career. Third, the reconstruction of streets 'Buteljska' and 'Radisanska' in Skopje began, including asphalt road construction and pedestrian path repairs, along with new sewage systems.
Sunny and warm, from tomorrow dusk and rain
The article provides a weather forecast for Skopje, describing sunny and warm conditions with light to moderate cloud cover. It mentions that in the afternoon hours, parts of the valley may experience short-term weather disturbances with light rain, strong winds, and thunder. The minimum temperature is expected to drop to 18°C, while the maximum could reach up to 37°C. From tomorrow afternoon until Saturday, the weather will be variable and unstable, with occasional rain and thunder, particularly in the afternoons and during the night. Local weather processes may become more intense, including heavy showers, lightning, strong winds exceeding 60 km/h, and hail. Starting Wednesday, temperatures will begin to decrease, especially during the weekend, when moderate to strong north winds are expected.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
