EU Accession Pressure: The European Commission is preparing a “membership-lite” plan to give candidate countries selected EU benefits while negotiations drag on, including North Macedonia. Local Identity Dispute: Albanians in Tetovo protested after a Constitutional Court ruling that could reverse street and square names adopted in 2007, with Iliria Square potentially replaced by Marshall Tito Square. Skopje Governance Learning: Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski visited Israel to study how municipalities handle crises, traffic, water and digital services. Cybersecurity Watch: Kaspersky reports a new malware campaign, StrikeShark, using fake Cisco AnyConnect and Google Update installers to deploy SharkLoader and Cobalt Strike Beacon; victims include organizations in North Macedonia. EU Rule of Law Debate: Civil society groups urge the Commission to make its upcoming Rule of Law Report more direct and enforceable, not just a box-ticking exercise. EU Enlargement Roadblock: Hungary’s opposition has forced the EU to scale back Ukraine and Moldova’s negotiation chapters, highlighting wider enlargement friction. Sanctions Update: The US lists 131 individuals and firms from six Western Balkan countries, including 12 from North Macedonia, tied to corruption, organized crime and destabilisation concerns. Heatwave Risk: A severe heatwave is expected to hit the Balkans, with warnings for vulnerable groups across the region, including North Macedonia.