World Economy Watch: The World Bank lifted Georgia’s 2026 growth forecast to 7% and raised Armenia to 5.6%, while cutting Azerbaijan to 1.2% and flagging slower Europe-and-Central-Asia growth overall to 2.2% in 2026. Local Economy & Water Stress: The Czech Republic logged its third-driest year since 1961, with the Vltava already below drought thresholds and major knock-on effects for hydropower and farming. Public Health: Russia says it found no plague among contacts of a Siberian lab worker who died after pneumonia; the ECDC reports no sign of sustained human-to-human spread. Trade & Logistics: Duisport is boosting rail links between Cervignano and Duisburg to strengthen Trieste’s freight consolidation role, while METRANS expanded capacity at Poznań/Gądki by about 80%. Energy: Croatia’s LNG terminal could start supplying Germany within two years via a southern corridor through Slovenia and Austria. Security Flashpoint: New attention on Kaliningrad as Russia warns it could use “all weapons,” including nuclear, if the exclave is directly attacked. Business & Industry: Politech is pushing its 4Automotive automotive-care line across Europe; Stadler named Philipp Brunner group CEO from Jan 1, 2027. Culture & Society: Publishers in Estonia warn AI re-translations of classics are unethical, and Nobel literature speculation points to possible Chinese or Caribbean women.