EU Enlargement & Rule of Law: The European Parliament adopted reports urging sustained reforms across the Western Balkans, with North Macedonia singled out for weak progress on rule of law, corruption cases, and judicial independence, plus concerns over hate speech, discrimination, and stalled constitutional changes needed to open the first EU cluster. Language Rights in Focus: MEPs backed an amendment calling on North Macedonia to ensure Albanian-language access in state exams, including the bar exam, and to treat related student protests as rights-based rather than destabilizing. Bulgaria-North Macedonia Tensions: A court transferred the arson investigation over Bulgarian diplomatic vehicles in Skopje to organized crime prosecutors, with charges framed as endangering people under international protection; meanwhile, the Macedonia Foundation said a planned June 21 border blockade was called off after Bulgarian diplomatic appeals. Anti–Money Laundering Watch: A GI-TOC report warns that professional enablers like lawyers, notaries, and accountants help launder illicit funds across the region, highlighting real estate and weak enforcement—relevant to North Macedonia’s EU reform agenda. Energy & Economy: ESM signed a World Bank grant for preparatory work on the REK Bitola 1 cogeneration plant, tied to modernizing the lignite complex and expanding district heating. Regional Security Cooperation: North Macedonia remains part of SEDM’s deputy chiefs of defence meetings in Tbilisi, where regional dialogue and security cooperation were reaffirmed. Sports Diplomacy: Italy’s embassy in Skopje highlighted sports diplomacy ahead of the 20th Mediterranean Games, with a North Macedonia delegation of over 130 athletes and staff.