Franco-German Defence Shake-Up: France and Germany have abandoned the FCAS next-generation fighter jet effort, a roughly €100bn-plus program, after industrial disputes and pressure on companies—casting a shadow over Europe’s push for defence autonomy. Berlin Aviation Disruption: Pro-Palestinian activists blocked access to the ILA Berlin Air Show, forcing delegates to walk and putting the spotlight on Rheinmetall and Elbit as drones and air defence dominate the agenda. Rail Overhaul: Germany is launching a €100bn rail upgrade to tackle chronic delays and modernise an ageing network, with punctuality still far below past levels. EV Demand Boosted by Iran War: Renault CEO Francois Provost says EV order books are up sharply in France and Germany since the Iran war began, driven by higher fuel prices, while the firm struggles to keep up with supplier capacity. Energy Storage & Battery Tech: GM is moving into LFP and sodium-ion for grid-scale storage, while Germany’s BESS market is shifting beyond hype toward practical policy and grid-fee realities. Crypto Meets Real Assets: Scandic Coin (RWA) surged in its first week, and Coinbase listing is framed as a bridge between real-world services and digital tokens. Regulation & Health: German paediatric experts call for a ban on melatonin gummy-style supplements, warning they blur medicine and candy and raise overdose risk. Markets Mood: Investors remain cautious on AI valuations, Middle East escalation and upcoming US CPI, with European stocks trading lower.