EV Battery Crackdown: Hungary plans a new top authority to monitor and sanction polluting EV battery makers, after Semcorp’s licence was suspended over aluminium pollution concerns. Heatwave Aftermath: Hungary’s record heat eased with storms, but the crisis left scars: rail speed limits, water-demand disruptions, wildfire pressure, and very low levels at Lakes Balaton and Velence. Wildfire in Protected Land: A major grassland fire broke out in Hortobágy National Park, threatening reed beds and grazing areas while firefighters worked to stop spread. Transport Disruption from Heat: Slovakia’s heatwave also exposed fragility in weather services and hospital cooling, while Hungary saw FLIRT trains shut down for safety after extreme heat. Renewables Permit: Green Energy Investhor received a final construction permit for a 28.8 MW wind farm near Bana, a first step in a larger multi-county rollout. EU Climate Funding: The EU and EIB released €2.5bn from the Modernisation Fund across 11 countries, including €552.3m for Hungary’s energy upgrades and storage. Waterfront Greening: Budapest secured funding for a greener Danube-side promenade renewal on the Pest embankment, adding pedestrian access and new green surfaces. Bathing Water Standards Questioned: A new EU-wide look at official bathing-site testing finds chemical pollutants aren’t assessed, raising calls to expand monitoring beyond bacteria.