Corridor 8 Boost: The EU has awarded North Macedonia €149 million for the third phase of the railway link to Bulgaria, including a key cross-border tunnel—part of a wider push that the US and EU treat as a strategic Balkans priority. Public Health Alert: West Nile virus is surging in Greece, with 65 locally acquired cases and six deaths reported by Aug. 5, and every fatality tied to people over 65—no vaccine, so prevention and early medical help are crucial. Wildfire Pressure at Home: North Macedonia is battling fast-moving wildfires amid a heatwave and drought, with 14 open-air fires registered by Aug. 4 and major response efforts in the Kavadarci area. Cross-Border Environment: Greece and North Macedonia launched a €3.07 million project to improve governance and sustainable management of Lake Doirani, with joint monitoring and public awareness measures. Culture & Film: Macedonian director Marjan Gavrilovski has begun shooting “Ants,” a dark comedy about a hidden case involving a murdered trans woman, while Milcho Manchevski’s “Good People” is set for a Sarajevo Film Festival premiere. Politics Watch: SDSM accuses Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski of secret talks over the EU path and the Bulgaria dispute, as he says confidentiality is needed to secure a lasting solution.