Wildfire emergency: France ordered 4,000 more evacuations near Bordeaux as a new heatwave threatens to worsen mega-blazes; across France and Spain, about 330,000 people have been displaced, with officials warning they are “not out of the woods” and the EU calling for more than firefighting—more forest management and public prevention. EU budget fight: Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Ireland’s PM that the next EU budget should be “several hundred billion” smaller than the Commission’s plan, pushing for cuts across the board as negotiations for 2028-2034 ramp up. Ukraine security diplomacy: Zelenskyy’s UK visit underlines London’s steady support, with sanctions and air-defence needs (including Patriot missiles) highlighted after talks with US senators. Football governance row: UEFA escalated its backlash to FIFA’s plan to create a $20bn private-investor vehicle for the World Cup, with European nations weighing a boycott. EU enlargement friction: Hungary blocked opening Ukraine accession talks on two clusters, seeking political leverage and opposing fast-tracked treatment. Tech and regulation: Ofgem moves to curb speculative AI data-centre grid queueing in Britain, while the EU prepares AI transparency enforcement and deepens its Indo-Pacific security role via a €15m maritime package for the Philippines. Italy leadership shake-up: Roberto Mancini returns as Italy coach after FIGC turmoil, with controversy over his links to a Russian betting firm.