Government Reshuffle Talks: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski says VMRO-DPMNE has reached an agreement in principle with coalition partners VLEN and ZNAM on changes to the cabinet, with new minister names expected after VMRO-DPMNE’s executive meeting. Border & Mobility: Albania and North Macedonia signed a deal to speed crossings via a “One Stop” joint border control at Qafe Thane (later this month) and Blate (next month), aiming to cut queues and boost trade. Local Governance: Skopje mayor Danela Arsov? (reported as Gjorgjievski) is studying crisis management and municipal services in Israel, focusing on emergency preparedness, water, traffic, and digital public services. Transparency Pressure: A BIRN report warns that Freedom of Information requests are rising across the Western Balkans, but institutions still block access through delays, barriers, and weak enforcement—covering North Macedonia among others. Regional Security: NATO parliamentary leaders meeting in Istanbul urged stronger defense, unity, and continued support for Ukraine, with speakers from Bulgaria and Croatia stressing resilience and cohesion. EU Accession Friction: Hungary blocked a key procedural step in Ukraine’s EU bid, arguing against fast-tracking and raising minority-rights concerns—an issue that also reverberates for the Western Balkans. Wildlife & Illicit Trade: Serbia’s “Feliks” eagle was rescued after illegal trafficking across the Middle East, flying through North Macedonia on the way—highlighting cross-border wildlife crime and conservation efforts.