One of the two Arctic wolf cubs born at Skopje Zoo on May 12 has died, confirmed by the zoo's director Kristijan Stamenov. The cause of death is pending autopsy results. The other cub is healthy and has been dewormed and vaccinated. Stamenov noted the challenges of caring for newborn wolf cubs and mentioned that despite positive developments, negative events can still occur. Additionally, the zoo has experienced the deaths of a penguin, an antelope, and a monkey named Miki in recent months, with autopsies revealing various health issues.

Sweden has signed its application to join NATO, with the Finnish parliament expected to vote on their membership today. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the decision following parliamentary support. Norway, Denmark, and Iceland have pledged support for Sweden and Finland during their accession. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated there is no threat to Russia from their membership but warned of a response if NATO strengthens its military presence. The Pentagon's John Kirby emphasized that Russia cannot veto sovereign decisions. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed doubts about Sweden and Finland's stance on terrorism, potentially complicating the ratification process. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg remains optimistic about resolving Turkey's concerns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that negotiations with Russia for the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol are highly complex. Kyiv is using influential intermediaries to facilitate the process. Despite continuous Russian bombardment, Ukraine has proposed evacuating 38 severely wounded defenders in exchange for releasing a significant number of Russian prisoners of war. The Ukrainian government is committed to evacuating all defenders, while Russia demands their surrender. Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk emphasized the importance of evacuating all soldiers alive, despite potential dissatisfaction with the negotiation outcomes.

In the Skopje neighborhood of Taftalidze, a man took two insulated boxes intended for stray cats without permission, as captured by surveillance footage. Activist Maja Popovska from Angelcats Sanctuary expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the significant effort and resources required to support stray animals. The organization, with help from Civica Mobilitas and local enthusiasts, has been providing shelters and care for over 20 stray cats in the area. Popovska highlighted the general lack of public awareness and interest in aiding stray animals, despite the challenges they face.

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski highlighted that North Macedonia is unique in Europe for having a ministry dedicated to smaller ethnic communities and legal solutions to enhance their rights, including language use and equal employment opportunities in the public sector. He emphasized the capacity of institutions to be increased for the benefit of all citizens. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov expressed that Bulgaria's long-term interest aligns with North Macedonia's EU aspirations and stressed the importance of protecting the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia.

President Stevo Pendarovski met with 13-year-old mathematical genius Ili Morina, expressing admiration for his achievements and pledging personal support for his future development, including securing scholarships and mentorship. Ili's mother, Imrane Morina, highlighted the president's commitment and discussed the need for legislative changes to better support talented children. Two weeks prior, Ili also met with the Minister of Education and Science, Jeton Shaqiri, to discuss support for young talents.

A man shot and killed two women in a church parking lot in Iowa before turning the gun on himself, adding to the recent spate of shootings in the United States. The incident occurred shortly after President Joe Biden's address on gun violence, where he called for Congress to ban assault weapons and implement other gun control measures. Another shooting in Wisconsin injured two people attending a funeral. The Iowa shooting took place at Cornerstone Church during a church program, according to Nicholas Lennie, the chief deputy of the Story County Sheriff's Office.

Ukraine anticipates receiving more weapons from allies following a new U.S. aid promise, as the battle for eastern Ukraine intensifies 100 days into the Russian invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces now occupy about 20% of Ukraine's territory, focusing on the industrial Donbas region. Civilian casualties continue, with three killed in Donetsk. Zelensky emphasized the need for advanced combat systems, while Russia accused the U.S. of escalating the conflict with a new $700 million weapons package. The U.S. assured that the weapons would not be used to target Russia. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, destroyed cities, and over 6 million refugees.

The governments of North Macedonia and the United States issued a joint statement following the first meeting of their Strategic Dialogue, emphasizing the deepening of bilateral partnership. The dialogue focuses on security, economic integration, and regional stability, with strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and EU accession for North Macedonia and Albania. The statement highlights cooperation in defense, energy diversification, and cultural exchanges. North Macedonia's efforts in NATO, OSCE chairmanship, and joining the Three Seas Initiative are acknowledged. The dialogue aims to enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, recognizing North Macedonia's growth potential.

Disinformation campaigns targeting North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic orientation, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pose a threat to the country's stability. President Stevo Pendarovski emphasized the destabilizing potential of disinformation at a conference organized by the Metamorphosis Foundation. The conference highlighted the challenges posed by disinformation, including undermining trust in science and expert knowledge, and the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address these threats. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and other speakers stressed the importance of government transparency, critical thinking, and international cooperation in combating disinformation.