Three Seas Initiative: Slovakia and Poland are finally turning the Three Seas Initiative from photo-ops into working priorities after a Bratislava meeting between Slovak and Polish officials. Banking & Sanctions: OTP’s planned acquisition of Luminor revives scrutiny of Central European banks’ Russia exposure, with officials stressing small market share and sanctions compliance. Freight & Logistics: Qatar Airways Cargo has started scheduled Doha–Katowice freighter service, boosting Central Europe’s direct access to the Doha hub as Katowice cargo volumes surge. Cross-Border Rail Travel: Major 2026 engineering closures will disrupt Vienna–Munich and Budapest–Munich corridors, with reroutes and bus replacements affecting planning for travelers. EU Climate Policy: The European Commission proposes slower ETS cuts from 2031 onward, plus a new 2040 electricity target, drawing both business praise and climate-target criticism. Heat & Energy: Hungary faces another heatwave rebound after a brief cool-down, with temperatures again pushing above 30°C and possibly 38°C. Energy Storage: Romania’s battery storage pipeline has topped 9 GW, with 2 GW expected online by end-2026. Food Safety: A nationwide recall hits baby food pouches in the US over possible soft-plastic contamination.