Energy & Infrastructure: North Macedonia asked MEMO to prepare a plan for creating a natural gas market operator, aiming to build an integrated electricity-and-gas market as gas interconnectors with Greece (mid-2027) and Serbia (end-2028) move forward. Regional Energy Corridor: Greece and Balkan partners signed an MoU to extend the Vertical Gas Corridor to North Macedonia and Serbia, with operators briefing on the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal and plans to strengthen cross-border supply routes. EU & Diplomacy: EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos cancelled a Serbia visit after Mladić’s remains were received in Belgrade and glorified, saying it conflicts with EU values. Culture & Society: A North Macedonia–Serbia–Slovenia film, “17,” has been selected as North Macedonia’s candidate for the 99th Oscars in the International Feature Film category. Public Safety & Youth: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with North Macedonia among the places where risks of suicidal thoughts were especially high. Commemoration: Ohrid marked the 17th anniversary of the Ilinden ship disaster that killed 15 Bulgarian tourists.