AI & Digital Transformation: Skopje officially launched the Vezilka project, a national AI center linking universities, public institutions and the private sector to Europe’s AI infrastructure, with a three-year budget of about EUR 6.2 million (half EU-funded via Horizon Europe and EuroHPC) and access to European supercomputers through a Greece-based affiliated network. Anti-Corruption Watch: North Macedonia’s State Commission for Preventing Corruption is investigating Government Secretary General Igor Janushev’s assets after Bulgarian media reports alleged a company in Bulgaria, with the probe tied to discrepancies in his earlier declarations. EU Health Funding: The EU signed an agreement associating North Macedonia to the EU4Health programme, allowing retroactive access from 1 January 2026 for public and private health entities to funding for prevention, cancer and cardiovascular care, mental health and cross-border threats. Diplomatic Row: Bulgaria denies it distributed a diplomatic note about family members of North Macedonia PM Hristijan Mickoski visiting Bulgaria, saying the circulated information concerns an old verbal note and does not indicate an immediate security threat. Environment & EU Path: Dojran Lake’s bird sanctuary status is in focus as it may be added to Natura 2000, but shrinking habitats and water-level swings threaten its chances. Cybersecurity: A malware campaign using fake Cisco AnyConnect and Google Update installers has reached victims including North Macedonia, targeting government and diplomatic bodies.