Aviation & Connectivity: Wizz Air opened a new base at Palermo Falcone Borsellino with two Airbus A321neos, already adding a third from 6 September and launching six more routes—Rome, Barcelona, Prague, Marrakech, Dortmund and Pisa—signaling stronger-than-expected demand for regional links. Energy & Industry Costs: A new Energy Community Secretariat report says electricity exported from Albania to the EU is treated as zero-emission under CBAM, while North Macedonia’s default carbon cost is estimated at about EUR 66.773 per MWh—an immediate competitiveness signal for regional power trade. Infrastructure & Cross-Border Works: Bulgaria and North Macedonia held the first joint committee meeting for the Corridor 8 cross-border railway tunnel, agreeing rules and a preliminary timetable while discussing financing options with EU lenders. Digital Payments: Israeli fintech Nayax launched its full cashless payment suite in North Macedonia, targeting unattended retail like vending, laundromats, EV charging and kiosks. EU Integration & Geopolitics: A European Parliament report warns Russia is using tailored hybrid interference to slow EU enlargement, explicitly naming North Macedonia among the focus countries. Environment & Agriculture: A €3.07m Interreg project starts to protect and sustainably manage Lake Doirani, building cross-border governance between Greek and North Macedonian authorities. Labour & Migration: Croatia’s work-permit security screening is back in the spotlight after a court case involving a denied permit, as the country relies more on foreign workers across tourism and construction. Regional Cooperation: Serbian PM Djuro Macut met North Macedonia’s Hristijan Mickoski in Ohrid, highlighting transport, energy connectivity, agriculture and tourism as priority areas.