Israel Ties Boost: North Macedonia’s FM Timčo Mucunski visited Jerusalem and pushed to turn strong political relations with Israel into wider cooperation, signing agreements on education, culture and sports and discussing defense industry links, investment, tourism, agriculture and water management, with direct flights also on the table. Energy Connectivity: Skopje and Belgrade signed a pipeline deal that could connect North Macedonia’s gas network with Serbia as early as 2028, via a 67-kilometre link due by 2027, alongside a North Macedonia–Greece interconnector expected in 2027. Healthcare Cooperation: The Bulgarian government approved a 2026–2028 healthcare plan with North Macedonia covering primary and hospital care, disease prevention, surveillance, emergency management, eHealth and research exchanges. Demographics Pressure on Schools: Education Minister Vesna Janevska says first-grade enrolment for 2026–27 is already far below last year’s 17,921, with expectations of more class cuts and rural school closures. Press Freedom Under Strain: Bojana Davitkovska highlights how North Macedonia’s journalists face growing SLAPP-style pressure and coordinated online attacks, building on years of legal defense work. Regional Context: A week of coverage also flagged West Nile virus activity across the Balkans and the ongoing debate around EU membership across aspiring states.