Ukraine Solidarity: North Macedonia’s FM Timco Mucunski met Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv, backing US-led and EU-involved diplomacy and saying Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, while Sybiha thanked Skopje for appointing a special representative for postwar reconstruction and for 13 packages of military aid. Energy Corridor: Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia signed steps to extend the Vertical Gas Corridor, with operators NOMAGAS and Transportgas Serbia joining the project to boost cross-border capacity and bidirectional gas flows. EU Enlargement Tensions: EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos cancelled a Serbia visit after Ratko Mladić’s remains were returned and publicly glorified, saying it clashes with EU values and reconciliation. Digital Safety: UNICEF warned that about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual abuse or exploitation, with many cases occurring on mainstream social media. Local Governance & Housing: North Macedonia’s government asked MEMO to prepare a plan for a natural gas market operator, aiming to build the institutional setup for the sector. Culture & Sports: President Iliana Iotova opened Bulgaria’s 25th National Folklore Festival for two-part singing with performers from North Macedonia, while Hearts winger Josh McPake said his derby form could help his case for a Scotland call-up.