ECB Rate Shock: The ECB is expected to lift rates by 0.25% to 2.25%, a fresh hit to mortgage repayments and borrowing costs across the euro zone as oil-driven inflation feeds into the cost of living. Ukraine Energy Attacks: Ukraine’s paramilitary group Atesh says it hit Russian rail and rare heavy-recovery equipment in Donetsk/Luhansk, while Ukraine also struck oil targets near St Petersburg as drones and air defences escalate. Nuclear Safety Watch: The IAEA says off-site power has been restored to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya plant after a 15-hour outage, reducing accident risk for its shutdown reactors. AI Power Demand: A new push for AI “factories” is reshaping Europe’s power map, with data centres’ electricity needs projected to surge by 2030. Crypto Energy Debate: A petition in France and across Europe calls for banning bitcoin over electricity use, reigniting the climate vs. finance fight. Gas Security Angle: Azerbaijan’s SOCAR is positioning itself as a backup gas hub around Israel, expanding LNG and gas-linked power supply routes. Household Heating Reality (Cyprus): A JRC study finds heating and cooling drive 70% of household energy use in Cyprus, with cooling dominating and many homes still on oil or gas boilers. Armenia Vote With Energy Stakes: Armenia’s election is framed as a geopolitical referendum, with Russia warning against a pro-EU pivot that could reshape trade and energy ties.