EU Accession Tensions: DUI deputy leader Bujar Osmani says Albanians are frustrated by North Macedonia’s stalled EU path, arguing the negotiating framework with Bulgaria hinges on just two “indispensable” items: constitutional amendments and the Action Plan on Minorities. Bilateral EU Talks: In Sofia, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, with both sides stressing continued talks on “difficult issues” and Bulgaria expecting Skopje to meet EU criteria and existing commitments. Regional Diplomacy: SEECP leaders gathered in Sofia for its 30th anniversary, with Iotova calling for stronger connectivity, economic cooperation, and resilience. Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia discussed doubling trade toward $2 billion, citing $886m in trade by end-2025 and Turkish contracting activity across North Macedonia. Air Quality Watch: A Europe-wide PM2.5 map links pollution to premature deaths, flagging North Macedonia’s Skopski region as among the worst affected in 2023. Housing Pressure: The EU’s fundamental-rights agency warns soaring housing costs are pushing more people toward homelessness, hitting young and vulnerable groups hardest. Business & Industry: Turkish and North Macedonian officials met in Istanbul; separately, Omya and Vipul Organics announced an exclusive pigment distribution deal covering North Macedonia.