Heatwave & Energy Strain: A prolonged heatwave is pushing Europe’s emergency services and economies harder, with officials warning of thousands of heat-related deaths and a wider fire season; in parallel, Europe’s cooling demand is rising while low river levels and hotter water are disrupting power generation and freight. Wildfires & Smoke Health: Wildfires across Spain and France are driving evacuations and worsening air quality far beyond the burn areas, raising concerns for respiratory health. Central Europe Politics: Hungary starts the week without a head of state as parliament speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer takes interim presidential powers, with 30 days to pick a successor. Ukraine Security Competition: Germany and Poland’s shifting approaches to supporting Ukraine are reshaping Central Europe’s security dynamics. Energy Markets: Europe’s LNG situation is tightening as U.S. cargoes increasingly head to Asia, leaving utilities likely to pay more for spot supplies. AI & Industry: Zalando is backing Sereact’s physical AI push for warehouse automation, while Poland and Hungary are also positioning for AI-linked export growth. Transport & Infrastructure: Poland’s Port Polska/CPK megahub is moving from planning to concrete procurement, aiming to link airport, high-speed rail and roads. EV Momentum: June brought record BEV registrations across Europe, with Central and Southern markets accelerating sharply. Nature & Policy: EU countries including Poland and others are urging changes to cormorant culling rules after the bird’s comeback fuels conflict with fishers. Sports & Culture: Hearts return to Champions League qualifiers after 20 years, while F1 heads into the Belgian Grand Prix with the title race tightening.