West Nile Virus Update: North Macedonia’s health ministry reports 38 West Nile fever cases this year, with four deaths so far and three fatalities in the past week, mostly around Skopje and among people over 60. EU & Diplomacy: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says North Macedonia and other non-EU European countries have aligned with EU sanctions against Belarus. Foreign Policy Appointments: Career diplomat Krum Efremov is set to become North Macedonia’s new ambassador to Bulgaria, as Skopje and Sofia keep working on issues tied to EU integration. Culture & Film: CineLink Industry Days at the Sarajevo Film Festival handed out prizes, including the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award for North Macedonia-linked projects, while Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski’s documentary “Good People” returns to the spotlight for its survivor-focused account of the Kočani nightclub tragedy. Media & Rights: Small World IFT and Catalyst secure an exclusive licensing agency deal for Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro as the region cracks down on audiovisual piracy. Public Life & Society: Albania criticised a cultural event in Pustec for playing only North Macedonia’s anthem, calling it a protocol breach.