Judicial Update: The trial of Iva Mihaylova in Kočani continues, with a 10-month travel ban still in force after a road accident; the court heard conflicting witness accounts about whether she crossed into oncoming traffic, and the prosecutor signaled possible perjury while defense says the witness consistently described the same moment. Regional Diplomacy: Serbian PM Djuro Macut met North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski in Ohrid to push deeper cooperation, spotlighting transport links, energy connectivity, agriculture and tourism, and discussing upgrades to the Serbia–Greece rail corridor. Energy Sanctions Watch: Serbia’s mining and energy minister said there are indications NIS may receive a new US operating licence after OFAC extensions tied to Russian ownership, a move she says is crucial for planning oil purchases and refinery operations. Cross-Border Infrastructure: Bulgaria and North Macedonia launched the first joint committee meeting in Sofia for a cross-border railway tunnel under Corridor 8, adopting rules and a timetable and reviewing financing options. Political Risk & Representation: A new law on fair and adequate representation is criticized by opposition parties for relying on future “political measures” rather than fixed quotas or sanctions, raising fears of weak enforcement in public administration. Information Environment: Civic groups warn that Russian influence in North Macedonia is growing through localized propaganda narratives and that Russian pressure may be affecting the Macedonian Orthodox Church’s stance toward Ukraine. International Sports Politics: UEFA says it will boycott FIFA competitions if FIFA’s plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors goes ahead, escalating pressure on the World Cup’s governance model.