Wildfires & water risks: North Macedonia is battling a surge of wildfires as Europe’s drought deepens, with 14 open-air fires registered by Aug. 4 and the Kavadarci area hit hardest; officials say air support and helicopters are being used to contain blazes. Cross-border environment: Greece launched a €3.07 million Interreg project with North Macedonia to improve governance, monitoring and sustainable management of shared Lake Doirani. EU accession politics: The opposition SDSM accuses Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski of “secret talks” over the EU path, after he said Skopje is pursuing confidential efforts to resolve the Bulgaria dispute. Regional security & diplomacy: Albania declared two more North Macedonian citizens persona non grata over alleged harmful activities, adding to a recent similar move. Culture spotlight: Milcho Manchevski’s documentary “Good People / Dobri lugje” is set for its world premiere in Sarajevo’s Open Air competition. Tourism angle: A “travel dupe” index highlights Skopje among budget-friendly alternatives for travelers seeking lower crowds and costs. Business & law (global): A U.S. judge set the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery antitrust trial for March 2027, a case that could affect the deal’s timeline and costs.