EU Accession Talks: Bulgaria says North Macedonia must fulfil commitments and start the “necessary changes” to move forward on its European path, pushing back on Skopje’s call for EU participation in future talks. EU Parliament Diplomacy: In Skopje, MEP Ivaylo Valchev urged that the Iva Mihaylova case be included by name in the European Parliament’s next North Macedonia report, while MEP Kristian Vigenin stressed that European integration is not a bilateral matter. Regional Economy: Azerbaijan and North Macedonia discussed expanding trade, investment and energy cooperation, including priority projects and closer business links. Connectivity & Trade Routes: Pakistan’s communications minister Abdul Aleem Khan told an investment forum in Baku that stronger regional connectivity is key amid higher freight costs and route tensions. Education Pressure: A new report highlights North Macedonia’s shrinking schools as rural closures and falling first-graders push children into larger centres. Sports—Swiss Squad Shake-up: Switzerland dropped Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka from Nations League duty over forged COVID documents, with Switzerland set to play North Macedonia in the group. Sports—Scotland Focus: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli starts a Nations League run that includes a trip to North Macedonia.