Wildfire readiness in Europe: The EU Commission is coordinating a record wildfire response, pre-positioning 777 firefighters from 14 countries and deploying 22 aircraft and 5 helicopters as summer risks rise, with 24/7 monitoring and satellite mapping support. River restoration in North Macedonia: Europe removed a record 602 obsolete river barriers in 2025, reconnecting 3,740 km of waterways; North Macedonia is highlighted for its first large-scale barrier removal, after a decades-old concrete structure in Kumanovo was demolished to restore fish and water flow. Just transition funding: North Macedonia’s Just Energy Transition Investment Platform reached about €1.7 billion in identified projects, with financing secured for roughly €460 million, including major solar capacity like Bitola 3 and a rise in renewables share of installed electricity capacity. Cross-border rail planning: Serbia has started the early screening phase for an environmental impact process for a Corridor 10 high-speed double-track railway through North Macedonia, with works near the Tabanovce crossing and plans to replace slower tunnel sections. Energy security debate: A regional analysis links the Strait of Hormuz disruption to broader Balkan energy insecurity, pushing governments toward interconnectors and renewables to cut exposure to supply shocks. Governance and trust: An International IDEA report warns that foreign-linked actors use environmental and cultural issues to spread disinformation across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, by undermining trust in institutions and reforms. Mining deal with local footprint: Central Asia Metals’ proposed A$232 million takeover of Cygnus Metals would add the Chibougamau copper-gold project in Québec to its portfolio that already includes producing assets in North Macedonia.