Energy Security: Germany confirmed plans for a strategic gas reserve equal to 10% of storage capacity, to be filled in 2027-28 and financed via consumer levies—expected to add about €42 a year to household bills, while energy-intensive firms face potentially much larger costs. Trade & Investment: Switzerland and Britain concluded talks on a “modernized” free trade deal, expanding and updating rules on services, investment, mobility and digital trade. Sanctions & Cyber: The EU expanded Russia sanctions to cybercrime and surveillance-linked firms, including VKontakte and makers of pre-installed MaxApp; the EU and UK also moved to target Russia’s cyber “ecosystem” together. Geopolitics & Shipping Costs: Renewed Iran-U.S. tensions are squeezing Europe’s jet fuel supply to under a month and pushing jet fuel prices up sharply, raising disruption risk for airlines and travel. Digital Policy: EU lawmakers begin negotiations on the digital euro, aiming for a final law by year-end and a potential launch in 2029 after pilots. Business & Tech: Luxembourg’s CSSF granted Ripple full MiCA CASP authorization, highlighting the post–July 1 compliance cliff for crypto firms serving EEA customers. EU Funding: The Commission approved a €2bn Hungarian capital injection into the Hungarian Development Bank via the RRF to back SMEs, green/digital transition and housing. AI & Jobs Debate: Over 200 economists and AI leaders urged action on AI’s economic impact, warning they can’t yet see the road ahead clearly. Health Tech: HistoSonics won CE Mark approval for its Edison histotripsy liver tumor system, clearing a path for commercialization across Europe. UK Politics: Andy Burnham inched closer to becoming Britain’s next prime minister as a potential leadership rival, Darren Jones, said he won’t run.