Retail Watch: North Macedonia’s retail sales growth cooled to 2.1% year-on-year in April (from 8.1% in March), with food, beverages and tobacco still leading (+11.3% real), while automotive fuel fell (-19.4% real). EU Accession Politics: The opposition SDSM is pushing for a referendum on constitutional changes tied to EU talks, arguing citizens—not PM Hristijan Mickoski—should decide. Energy & Regional Deals: Croatia and North Macedonia signed a strategic cooperation agreement, with a business forum and an energy-sector memorandum aimed at boosting interconnections and EU-aligned legislation. Capital Markets: Iute Group increased its 2030 bond outstanding to EUR 300m after placing an additional EUR 140m with institutional investors to fund loan growth and refinance maturities. EU Enlargement Debate: EU leaders are weighing new enlargement models, including possible limits on veto rights or “associate membership” concepts, as frustration grows in the Western Balkans. Transport & Connectivity: A strategic cooperation push also shows up in regional infrastructure talk, including energy and transport corridors referenced in Bulgaria–France discussions that explicitly mention North Macedonia’s EU path. Digital Infrastructure: North Macedonia is nearing final legal amendments to enable data centre investment, positioning the country for more digital-infrastructure inflows. Cross-Border Crime: Spanish police, with Europol and Serbian partners, dismantled a network smuggling Cuban nationals into Spain via North Macedonia and other Balkan routes, alleging “travel packages” for around €3,000 per person. Business Events: A North Macedonia-linked delegation visited China for the China-CEEC Local Leaders’ meeting, highlighting city development and smart solutions as potential business opportunities.