Energy Security: Germany plans a strategic gas reserve equal to 10% of storage capacity, to be filled in 2027-28 and funded via consumer levies, with costs put at €1.5bn to set up and up to €310m a year to maintain—aimed at covering about two weeks of winter demand. EU Trade & Politics: EU foreign ministers backed tighter steps toward banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements, but Germany and Italy are pushing for unanimity, keeping the decision politically stuck. Tech Regulation: Germany’s media watchdog ruled that Google’s AI Overviews and Perplexity are “content providers” under German media law, meaning they can’t rely on platform-style liability shields. Water Crisis in Munich: Munich imposed emergency, mandatory water-saving rules through Aug. 1, including bans on filling private pools and watering lawns, as drought strains supplies. Transport Safety: A Ryanair-linked incident saw a man nearly sucked out of a dislodged plane window; his wife says she grabbed his legs as she feared they would die. Defense Tech: Germany confirmed a naval laser weapon push toward operational deployment by 2029, targeting drones, with Rheinmetall and MBDA involved. Rail Disruption: Suspected arson hit a northern German rail line, suspending services and triggering hundreds of cancellations. World Cup (Germany-linked): Thomas Tuchel warned England’s stars that Argentina are “fuelled by history” ahead of the semi-final.