Geopolitics & Security: European intelligence officials say Russia is ramping up efforts to steal Western defense and dual-use tech via fake companies, middlemen, and cyber operations as sanctions bite. EU Tech Sovereignty: The EU is drafting a chips, cloud, and AI package aimed at cutting reliance on US digital firms and Chinese hardware, risking fresh transatlantic friction. AI & Work Backlash: Reports highlight how “embrace AI” messaging clashes with layoffs and hiring slowdowns, fueling worker fear and resistance. AI in Daily Life: Perplexity is sending select users Mac Minis to showcase its Personal Computer agent, while China’s schools are using AI tools for learning, sports tracking, and personalized homework. Climate Tech: UAE scientists claim an AI model can forecast heatwaves with 96% accuracy, helping residents prepare for extreme heat. Agriculture Innovation: Israeli researchers say a fungal extract can boost tomato yields and improve taste while reducing fertilizer reliance. Quantum Materials: Brown and Michigan researchers report stabilizing a missing intermediate state in metal crystal transformations, with potential quantum optics uses. Business & Markets: Tech stocks keep pushing indexes to records, with Dell’s AI-driven surge and big earnings spotlighting demand for AI infrastructure.