Qatar–North Macedonia Labour Deal: Qatar’s labour minister met North Macedonia’s top officials in Skopje and the two countries signed an MoU to boost cooperation in the labour sector, including sharing expertise on labour markets, labour inspection, and occupational safety, with a joint committee to oversee implementation. Public Health: North Macedonia confirmed its eighth West Nile virus death as cases rise across Europe, with 58 infections reported locally and all fatalities among men aged 62–83 who had underlying conditions. Energy & Connectivity: North Macedonia joined the Vertical Corridor gas initiative, signing an MoU in Thessaloniki that links its transmission operator NOMAGAS with regional partners to strengthen diversification and cross-border supply routes. Telecom Upgrade: Makedonski Telekom launched a 5G Standalone (5G+) network in phases, promising lower latency and improved stability for high-density events. Digital Child Safety: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with North Macedonia among the surveyed countries. EU Neighbourhood Tensions: A road crash case involving dual-citizen Iva Mihaylova continues to fuel a Sofia–Skopje dispute tied to Bulgaria’s claims about treatment and justice issues affecting North Macedonia’s EU path.