Instant Payments: Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina launched instant payments on July 20, letting bank customers transfer money within seconds 24/7; BiH will connect banks in stages after technical tests, with an initial 5,000 BAM cap per transfer and QR payments planned later. EU & Western Balkans Reform Watch: The EU’s Growth Plan progress is uneven: Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia are broadly on track, while Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina lag behind as funding is tied to reform milestones. Governance & Infrastructure Dispute: Milorad Dodik renewed the Brčko District fight via a new proposal for the Belgrade–Sarajevo highway route through Brčko, arguing RS ownership and obligations while the 2022 agreement faces continued obstruction. World Cup Business Backdrop: Spain’s 2026 World Cup win closed a record-setting tournament, but FIFA’s commercial push and political interference—highlighted by the Balogun red-card reversal controversy—kept business and governance questions in the spotlight. Public Health: UNICEF and WHO report global childhood immunization is still below pre-pandemic levels, with measles coverage short of herd-immunity needs and outbreaks in 57 countries. Cultural Assets: A report highlights Bosnia and Herzegovina’s museums, libraries and archives preserving rare manuscripts despite weak state support and limited budgets.