EU Economic Mood: Deloitte’s CFO survey finds Europe’s business leaders unusually pessimistic, with geopolitical risk—especially energy shocks and critical materials disruptions—top of mind as energy costs keep squeezing margins. Energy Transition: A security-driven push is helping renewables gain ground across Europe, with higher renewable shares linked to fewer impacts from oil and gas shortages. Climate Watch: Meteorologists warn a “supersized” El Niño could intensify extreme heat and weather impacts across Europe into 2027. Migration & Borders: Spain’s PM Sánchez presses for a stronger EU role for Ceuta and Melilla, while the EES border biometric “flexibility” ends, raising fears of longer airport queues. Security in the North: Russia’s hybrid activity is increasingly threatening Baltic Sea energy and transport infrastructure, raising resilience concerns for NATO and EU states. Biometrics Debate: Italy is moving to set detailed rules for police facial recognition exceptions under the EU AI Act, drawing civil-rights scrutiny. Justice & Memory: Serbia’s divided crowds mark the funeral of war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade, testing Serbia’s EU path and Europe’s patience. EU Governance: The European Ombudsman opens an inquiry into the European Parliament’s handling of undisclosed financial support involving a Swedish MEP. Human Rights & Reparations: Europe faces renewed pressure over slavery reparations as formal apologies and compensation remain rare.