Corridor 8 Boost: The EU has awarded North Macedonia a €149 million grant for the third phase of the railway link toward Bulgaria, including a key cross-border tunnel—another step in advancing Corridor 8’s transport and energy role for the Balkans. Water & Fire Crisis: With Europe’s drought biting harder, North Macedonia is battling wildfires after extreme heat and dry conditions; officials report dozens of active fires and major response efforts. Lake Doirani Deal: Greece and North Macedonia launched a €3.07 million cross-border project to improve governance and sustainable management of the shared Lake Doirani, with joint monitoring and public awareness planned. Medical Rights Row: Bulgaria again demanded that Iva Mihailova be allowed timely medical treatment after a Kočani court refused her request, citing the risk of permanent harm and urging use of international mechanisms. Politics on the Ground: Opposition activists say they were attacked and threatened during a visit linked to Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, after protests over alleged drinking-water contamination in Gostivar. Culture Spotlight: Skopje director Marjan Gavrilovski has started shooting “Ants/Mravki,” a dark comedy about a hidden case involving a murdered trans woman and police cover-up.