EU Accession Deadlock: Bulgaria says North Macedonia must fulfil EU negotiation conditions and start the “necessary changes,” pushing back on Skopje’s view that the dispute is not bilateral. EU Parliament Diplomacy: MEP Ivaylo Valchev says the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee included a cross-border cooperation clause for humanitarian cases, while he will seek explicit mention of the Iva Mihaylova case in the next EP report. EU Integration Framing: MEP Kristian Vigenin argues Bulgaria and North Macedonia need no mediator, calling constitutional amendments and Bulgarian inclusion a non-bilateral EU matter. Education & Demography: A report highlights North Macedonia’s shrinking rural schools, with closures and fewer first-graders as low birth rates and emigration reshape local communities. Renewables Investment: Envision Energy says the 131.25 MW Štip Wind Farm reached financial close, aiming to expand North Macedonia’s wind capacity and support the energy transition. Sports (Nations League): North Macedonia hosts Switzerland in UEFA Nations League action, while Scotland begins its campaign against Slovenia. Culture: Macedonian animation pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska has died in Skopje, remembered for decades of work at Vardar Film’s animation studio.