Energy & Climate Stress: Record-low Danube water levels forced Central European thermal plants to cut output, with Hungary’s Paks dropping to 9% capacity and Romania’s Cernavodă shutting down on Aug 14, underlining how hotter, drier summers strain cooling and power reliability. Border Security: Austria extended land and river border controls with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Slovenia until March 15, 2027, citing action against smuggling networks and deploying troops alongside police. Energy Infrastructure: Uniper agreed to sell its 20% stake in the Opal gas pipeline to Hy24, a step tied to EU bailout conditions and aimed at reshaping Germany’s gas-to-hydrogen transition. Nuclear Diplomacy: Rosatom says Paks II can operate safely even at lower water levels, while Iran’s nuclear chief was barred from a Vienna IAEA conference after a US objection. Industry & Jobs: Siemens is building its first Rail Service Center in Poland near Poznań, opening in 2027, as Volkswagen’s wider restructuring signals pressure on Europe’s auto supply chains. Politics & Democracy: A new report finds democracy backsliding across Europe, with setbacks outnumbering improvements from 2020-2025. Business & Regional Growth: Poland’s Lower Silesia showcases how cities are building “ecosystems” to attract multinationals and startups, while Slovakia highlights Vietnam’s rising global role. Aviation & Costs: airBaltic’s Chapter 11 filing adds to fears of a tough winter for smaller European airlines as geopolitical fuel costs bite.