Ukraine War: Kyiv is again under a 48-hour wave of Russian “terror” attacks, with faster drone technology raising the stakes for civilian protection. Vatican & Hungary: Prime Minister Péter Magyar says his private audience with Pope Leo XIV was “moving” and will shape his life, after requesting a papal blessing for Hungary. Food & Farming: Hungary’s cultivated area has hit a historic low, while potato production across Europe is sliding into a supply crunch after weather-driven crop failures. Trade & Transport: The Rhine has sunk to record lows, with the Kaub gauge at 4 cm, choking barge traffic and pushing up shipping costs. Energy Investment: Masdar reports 40.2 TWh of clean power in 2025 (+38%), expanding capacity across Spain, Portugal and Central Europe. Central Europe Politics: Czech PM Andrej Babiš at the Bled Strategic Forum urged renewed V4 cooperation and backed a bigger V4 role in shaping Europe’s future. Religion & Travel: Pope Leo XIV heads to Lourdes this weekend, spotlighting one of Catholicism’s biggest pilgrimage sites. Regional Security: The Carpathian 8 summit in Bukovel launched a framework for energy resilience, logistics and hybrid-threat countering across eight countries. Retail Deal Watch: Lidl’s owner Schwarz Group is among bidders for Tesco’s Central European business in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Logistics Expansion: Amazon opened a new automated fulfilment centre in Dobromierz, Poland, adding 1,000+ jobs expected in 2026.