World Cup Culture Clash: Mexico’s World Cup return after 40 years is being met with frustration as fans say ticket prices and a more “elite” vibe have pushed the event away from grassroots energy. EU Politics & Identity: Bulgarian MEPs in Strasbourg argue Skopje is using EU accession debates to deflect attention, while also warning that blaming Bulgaria for North Macedonia’s EU stalemate only fuels hostility. Luxury Travel & Lifestyle: Golden Eagle Danube Express highlights a Paris-to-Istanbul luxury rail “grand tour” with Balkan stops and onboard fine dining. Film & Noir Talk: A deep look at why Brian De Palma’s “The Black Dahlia” went wrong, from casting to major production cuts. Bulgarian Media Trust: Reuters Institute data puts trust in Bulgarian news at 21%, with many people avoiding news and AI tools slowly entering the mix. Sports Spotlight (Local): Bulgaria racks up medals at the BAUHAUS Down Syndrome World Championships in Sofia, including rhythmic and artistic gymnastics wins plus Alexander Asenov’s long jump gold. Theatre Cross-Border: Bulgarian director Vladlen Aleksandrov wins a top directing prize for “Dead Souls,” a Bulgarian-Turkish co-production. Procurement Transparency: Bulgaria launches SIGMA, an open-source platform for real-time visibility into public procurement spending. Arts & Design: Pictoplasma x Balkans heads to Varna in September with “Heroes in the Kitchen” as its theme.