Fuel VAT Cut: North Macedonia cut fuel VAT from 18% to 10% from Sept. 15 to Sept. 28, aiming to blunt price pressure amid possible supply disruptions; the government expects petrol around MKD 100.5–102.5 per litre and says diesel savings could top EUR 250,000 a day. EU Citizenship Pressure: The EU criticised proposed tweaks to North Macedonia’s investment-for-citizenship rules, saying they don’t fully end the “golden passport” scheme, though Skopje plans to remove the 400,000-euro threshold and the job-hiring requirement. Independence Day Costs: North Macedonia’s Independence Day celebrations for Sept. 8 cost 5.5 million euros, with about 4.9 million from the State Lottery, after earlier reporting raised questions about who paid and how. Culture in Focus: The PRO-ZA Balkan International Literature Festival opened in Skopje with Bulgarian participation, spotlighting links between literature and cinema and featuring writers across the region. International Spotlight: North Macedonia’s Ambassador to the UAE said “Balkan Cultures” is Guest of Honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, highlighting cultural ties with the Arab world. Sports Transfer: Richard Brown agreed terms with FK Skopje, marking a first-ever professional overseas contract after a delayed document process.