Ukraine War & Energy Security: Russian drone and missile strikes are hitting Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure hard, from the Starokozachye border crossing with Moldova to power-grid pressure ahead of winter, with Kyiv warning of a difficult season and fuel disruption risks. EU Budget Tensions: Berlin is pushing back on the EU’s next long-term budget as France and other capitals race to lock deals before the 2027 election could reshape priorities. Sanctions Politics: France and Slovakia are seeking to remove Russian-linked businessman Alisher Usmanov from EU sanctions, sparking frustration among other member states amid hybrid-threat concerns. Arctic Strategy: EU leaders meet in Finland to strengthen Europe’s Arctic flank as Russia, China and the US intensify competition, with a new EU strategy focused on mobility, connectivity and hybrid response. Fintech & Cybersecurity: Revolut confirmed a sensitive data breach after fraudulent “government” email requests, while systems and funds were said to be unaffected. AI Compute Race: China’s shift toward AI agents is widening the gap with Europe’s slower compute build-out, raising pressure on EU “gigafactory” plans. Migration Pressure: Greece recorded the highest asylum application rate per capita in the EU, underscoring strain on reception and processing capacity. Red Sea Shipping Shock: Trump says Yemen’s Houthis asked the US not to intervene as attacks and instability threaten the Europe-Asia corridor. Sports & Culture (lighter): France reaches the FIBA women’s final; Sweden’s election could bring the far-right into government.