Ukraine-EU Accession: The EU will try again on Tuesday to win Hungary’s green light for Ukraine to open accession clusters 2 (Internal Market) and 3 (Competitiveness), with a separate review planned for Moldova. Ukraine Solidarity Lanes: Ukraine and Germany discussed expanding EU “Solidarity Lanes” for post-harvest produce, adding logistics routes as seaports operate under limits. NATO Under Strain: NATO chief Mark Rutte said Russia’s sabotage and drone campaign is failing to weaken allied support for Ukraine, as Estonia and others warn of escalating hybrid threats. EU Budget Fight: Net contributor states push for major cuts ahead of October talks, while France argues EU Google fines should reduce member contributions. Big Tech in Court: Google challenged EU orders under the Digital Markets Act, including Android access for rival AI assistants and sharing anonymised search data. Energy Pressure: EU gas storage fell to a 15-year low, raising stakes for winter readiness. Human Rights Debate: New or expanded EU restrictions on niqab and burqa are sparking fresh rights concerns. Business & Climate: Carlsberg Britvic launched a UK water replenishment project restoring rivers and wetlands near its Rugby site. EU Sanctions: The bloc imposed new measures targeting individuals and entities over alleged deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children to Russia.