Heatwave & Wildfires: France’s Fontainebleau forest blaze near Paris has triggered evacuations and disrupted trains and highways, with investigators weighing suspected arson as heatwave conditions spread across Europe; in Spain, authorities are still identifying victims after last week’s deadly Almeria fire, with 10 missing. Deadly Summer Toll: Germany reported a 32% jump in deaths during a record June heatwave, while wider European data points to more than 10,000 excess deaths across late-May and late-June events. EU Enlargement: The EU kicked off major membership talks for Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine in Brussels—“Super Tuesday” for enlargement—though accession still looks years away. Arctic Security: Germany’s foreign minister urged stronger NATO deterrence on the northern flank as Russia expands in the Arctic, warning of hybrid threats and stressing the region’s strategic infrastructure. Energy Policy: Germany confirmed plans for a strategic gas reserve equal to 10% of storage capacity, funded via consumer levies, aimed at protecting supply during potential import cutoffs. Travel Health: UK health officials warned travellers about mosquito-borne illnesses as dengue cases rise, urging repellent, protective clothing and nets where needed. Business & Industry: H&M plans further store closures worldwide as it reshapes its fast-fashion portfolio; Renault will add Bursa, Türkiye, as a second Boreal SUV production hub with new hybrid powertrains. Security Incident: French prosecutors opened a terror investigation after weapons were found in a car near a Paris-area synagogue, following evacuations in Sarcelles.