AI & Policing: Italy’s draft AI decree would let police turn faces into biometric data in “sensitive” public areas, store it for seven days, and delete it unless a crime is linked—prompting warnings from the data protection authority that it clashes with the EU AI Act. Heat & Water Stress: France’s drought is driving water restrictions across about 70% of the country, with aquifers below normal and tens of thousands facing tap-water cuts. Wildfires in Spain: Firefighters are still battling major blazes, with fog and shifting winds keeping Huelva’s Niebla fire hard to contain while other regions see partial improvements. Germany Schools: Germany’s teacher shortage remains acute, with a projected shortfall of around 27,000 qualified teachers and persistent gaps in STEM and special needs education. Markets: European shares ticked up slightly as energy stocks rose on elevated oil prices, while investors await key growth and inflation data. Health Research: TB vaccine development is accelerating, with the M72/AS01E candidate in a large phase 3 trial and hopes for the first new TB vaccine in over a century. EU Tech & Security: Germany is preparing intelligence-law reforms to better tackle hybrid threats, including cyber and drone incidents. Solar Eclipse: A total solar eclipse will sweep parts of northern Spain and beyond, drawing crowds—alongside fresh wildfire risk warnings for high-fire areas.