Wildfire & drought response: North Macedonia is battling fast-moving wildfires amid Europe’s worsening drought, with the Crisis Management Center reporting 14 open-air fires registered by Aug. 4 evening and major action around Kavadarci, including use of air tractors and helicopters. Cross-border environment: Greece and North Macedonia launched a €3.07 million Interreg project to strengthen shared governance and sustainable management of Lake Doirani, aiming for joint monitoring, planning, and decision-making structures. EU accession politics: The opposition SDSM accuses Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski of “secret talks” over Skopje’s EU path, after he said the government is pursuing confidential efforts to resolve the Bulgaria dispute. Diplomatic security move: Albania declared two North Macedonian citizens persona non grata and imposed a 10-year entry ban, citing alleged activities harmful to Albania’s national security and public order. Consular incident: A Belarusian tourist died suddenly in Ohrid; Belarus says its embassy is in contact with North Macedonian authorities and the family. International legal backdrop: In the U.S., a federal judge set next March for the antitrust trial over Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger, a reminder of how major deals face political and legal scrutiny.