Drought & Rivers/Shipping: Exceptionally low water levels are disrupting Europe’s inland freight network, with the Rhine hit hardest as barge access collapses and costs risk spilling to consumers. Heatwave Toll: Preliminary figures point to more than 32,000 excess deaths across Europe in mid-July to mid-August, underscoring the human cost of the summer. Wildfires & WW-era Ordnance: Wildfires are exposing rusty WWI/WWII bombs and mines; some have detonated in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, forcing bomb squads to respond. Energy/Gas Prices: European gas prices have surged above $800 per thousand cubic meters, while the EU races to refill storage as LNG cargoes divert to Asia. Migration/Returns: A new EU migration fight is brewing as Spain refuses Italy transfers while other countries push returns to the member state responsible for asylum claims. Arctic Shipping: South Korea’s first commercial Arctic trial voyage to Europe via the Northern Sea Route highlights a potential alternative to Suez amid Middle East disruption. Tech/Regulation: Uber faces an €825m Dutch fine over automated driver deactivations without proper warning or meaningful human involvement. EU Politics/Protests: About 300 people protested in Barcelona against the “Save Europe Act” campaign, with police separating opposing groups.