West Nile Alert: North Macedonia’s health ministry reports 38 confirmed West Nile fever cases since the start of the year, with four deaths—three occurring in the past week—most infections around Skopje and all cases hospitalized, as authorities intensify mosquito-control and public protection efforts. Cross-Border Security: Greek police dismantled a cannabis smuggling network using recycling-paper shipments from Albania to Turkey via Greece; 324kg of raw cannabis was allegedly hidden in compartments, with two suspects arrested and a third at large. Diplomatic Alignment: Eight non-EU countries, including North Macedonia, agreed to align with the EU’s latest sanctions against Belarus over support for Russia’s war, expanding restrictions on military-linked goods and related crypto-asset activity. Energy Deal: Kosovo and North Macedonia’s state energy companies signed a three-year coal deal for about 3 million tonnes from Obiliq at €24.40 per tonne to support additional power generation. Culture & Film: Macedonian director Teona Mitevska is preparing a sequel to “God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya,” while Milcho Manchevski’s documentary “Good People” returns to the Sarajevo Film Festival with survivor-focused accounts of the Kočani nightclub tragedy.