EU Accession Talks: North Macedonia’s opposition SDSM says PM Hristijan Mickoski’s Brussels visit could finally signal movement on the EU negotiating framework, pointing to the “French proposal” that would include Bulgarians in the constitution, and warns the government must explain the shift to voters. Housing Costs: A new Knight Frank report shows North Macedonia among the fastest-rising residential markets, with prices up about 16.7% year-on-year. Wildfire Risk: The Crisis Management Center issued a code red warning for very high fire danger across eastern, central and southern areas, citing worsening conditions and dozens of wildfires in the past day. Digital Banking Expansion: Iute Group rolled out iuteMarket inside the Myiute app in North Macedonia, letting users browse, finance and buy products without leaving the app. Public Safety & Health Diplomacy: Bulgaria again urged North Macedonia to allow Iva Mihailova medical treatment abroad after a court refusal, stressing the risk of permanent injuries. Local Politics Tensions: SDSM alleges intimidation and threats against young activists during a protest linked to Gostivar drinking-water contamination, comparing the tactics to those used by Serbia’s ruling circles.