Israel Ties: North Macedonia’s FM Timco Mucunski landed in Jerusalem for a 24-hour push to deepen relations with Israel, signing cooperation agreements and discussing expansion in agriculture, water, security, innovation, tourism, health and education. Energy Connectivity: Skopje and Belgrade signed a new gas pipeline deal that could link North Macedonia’s network with Serbia by 2028, with construction targeted for completion by 2027, alongside the Greece interconnector plan. Healthcare Cooperation: The government approved a 2026–2028 Bulgaria–North Macedonia healthcare cooperation draft covering primary and hospital care, disease prevention, surveillance, emergency management, eHealth and medical exchanges. Presidential Election Prep: The Council of Ministers will consider a spending plan for the Oct. 25 presidential and vice-presidential elections, plus EU-funds estimates and other legislative and budget items. Courtroom Politics: North Macedonia’s appeals court confirmed Nikola Gruevski’s acquittal in the “Talir 2” case, blocking confiscation of the VMRO-DPMNE “White Palace” and related properties. Press Freedom: Media lawyer Bojana Davitkovska highlighted how journalists face growing pressure, including SLAPP-style lawsuits and online intimidation campaigns. Infrastructure: Construction began on a 10.5-kilometre Skopje–Kosovo motorway section, designed to improve regional links toward Albania’s port of Durrës. Demographics & Schools: Education Minister Vesna Janevska said first-grade enrolment for 2026–27 is already sharply down, with expected class cuts and rural school closures. US Visa Ruling: A US court struck down a Trump-era immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Kosovo and others, restoring case-by-case processing.