Cross-Border Rail Push: Bulgaria and North Macedonia held their first joint committee meeting in Sofia on a cross-border railway tunnel under Corridor 8, agreeing on rules of procedure, a preliminary timetable, and next steps for financing. EU Integration Drive: Austria’s S3 presidency set out priorities including Western Balkan EU enlargement, energy security, connectivity, and cutting bureaucracy as it seeks faster regional integration. Energy & Gasification: North Macedonia’s gas interconnector with Greece is nearing completion, a key step for diversifying supply and expanding the domestic gas distribution network. Ohrid Under Watch: Lake Ohrid avoided UNESCO’s Danger List again, but experts warn illegal construction, wastewater problems, and uncontrolled development still threaten the site, with a new five-year action push. Public Health Alert: WHO reports West Nile virus cases rising across Europe, including two locally acquired cases in North Macedonia, as warmer, longer summers expand mosquito risk. Culture & Tourism: Summer stargazing is in full swing with overlapping meteor showers, while Skopje is highlighted among Europe’s best-value destinations for a cheap pint. Politics: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says there will be no constitutional changes “in the form currently demanded,” tying the issue to EU accession principles.