EU Accession Standoff: North Macedonia’s EU path is still blocked by the unresolved 2022 constitutional amendments tied to Bulgaria, with VMRO-DPMNE saying it won’t move without “solid and formal” EU guarantees. Digital Rights & Media Governance: UNESCO-backed recommendations for rights-based governance of digital platforms and online media were adopted for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to strengthen journalism as a public good and curb disinformation. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports nearly 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with social media driving most cases and underreporting staying severe. Telecom & Connectivity: 4iG and SpaceX signed agreements to expand Starlink Mobile in Hungary and the Western Balkans, with next-gen V2 planned for Montenegro and North Macedonia, plus a secure “Sovereign Solutions” satellite communications package. Anti-Corruption/Finance Probe: Hungary opened a criminal investigation into Eximbank, including a €1bn North Macedonia loan, after internal audit allegations of mismanagement and irregular approvals. Culture & Film: Teona Strugar Mitevska is developing “Petra Doesn’t Want to Die,” while Kosara Mitić’s “17” was selected as North Macedonia’s Oscar candidate for Best International Feature Film.