EU Accession Watch: Politico reports the European Commission is preparing step-by-step accession “roadmaps” for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, with indicative deadlines for closing reform “clusters” and, for the first time, clearer commitments for both candidates and EU member states. EU–North Macedonia Dialogue: In Skopje, MEP Kristian Vigenin says Bulgaria and North Macedonia need no mediator on EU integration, calling constitutional changes and Bulgarian inclusion a non-bilateral issue; meanwhile MEP Ivaylo Valchev says the EU–North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee conclusions include a cross-border cooperation clause for humanitarian cases, with him pushing to name the Iva Mihaylova case in the next EP report. Transport & Rail: North Macedonia plans a Skopje–airport rail link starting spring 2027, aiming to cut the trip to 8–11 minutes, alongside new Skopje suburban routes and procurement of multiple-units and electric freight locomotives. Local Society: Rural schools across North Macedonia are closing as birth rates and emigration shrink student numbers, with communities like Struga’s villages seeing classrooms go silent. Sports: Switzerland beat North Macedonia 3-0 in UEFA Nations League action in Skopje, while North Macedonia’s next fixtures loom.