Markets & Defence: European shares were flat as investors stayed cautious after a rally in AI-linked stocks; tech dragged while defence stocks edged up ahead of NATO talks in Turkey. Energy Security: Gas and oil prices rebounded after reports of an LNG carrier attack near the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh shipping and storage concerns for Europe heading into winter. Climate Extremes: Wildfires continued to rage across southern Europe, forcing evacuations and disrupting major events, as heatwave conditions keep pressure on emergency services. EU Policy & Trade: The European Commission issued clarifications on CBAM verification rules, aiming to reduce confusion for importers and accredited verifiers. Tech & Industry: Google backed German fusion startup Proxima Fusion in a major funding round, while Hydro signed a five-year deal to supply low-carbon aluminium for Europe’s grid build-out. Digital & Payments: A BCG report says European banks are still slow to modernise payments infrastructure, citing legacy systems and funding gaps. Energy Transition Tech: Catalonia launched a sovereign public cloud to keep public data on European soil, and GEA opened a new application and technology centre in Germany for precision fermentation and biomanufacturing.