German battery maker Varta AG has applied to the Stuttgart Local Court to open insolvency proceedings under self-administration, citing a structural funding gap expected from 2027 and a deterioration in market conditions. The company said weaker demand, adverse exchange-rate moves and the termination of a partnership by a key customer have weighed on operations. Reuters and German media reported that the customer is Apple, which is said to be shifting AirPods battery sourcing to China. Varta said its household battery business is legally separate and excluded, while several operating subsidiaries are covered by separate applications.

The EU generated 45.5% of its electricity from renewable sources in the first quarter of 2026, but the region remains structurally dependent on fossil fuels. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route in response to the U.S.-Israel offensive disrupted a key crude oil transit corridor and pushed oil and gas prices to record highs. Europe’s June heatwave added to the strain by lifting power demand and forcing France, Germany and others to rely again on gas-fired generation. The shock represents a geopolitics-driven, real-world energy supply-chain disruption that feeds directly into prices across traditional assets.

European aviation groups have jointly written to the European Commission, warning that once the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully rolled out in April 2026 it could trigger severe border congestion, with peak-time queues stretching to five hours. They say the delays are already causing flight disruptions, missed connections and passengers at smaller airports being forced to queue outside terminals. The industry is calling for a temporary, full suspension of EES during July and August and for a permanent flexibility mechanism. WTTC estimates that if border checks of three hours or more become routine, up to 41 million visitors and $45.4 billion in tourism revenue could be at risk.

The article maps Elon Musk’s business empire, highlighting SpaceX’s Wall Street debut as the largest IPO on record and its market capitalisation rising to $2.43tn after listing. It also notes Tesla is currently valued at around $1.5tn, with its longer-term value tied to autonomous driving and robotics. The report adds that SpaceX’s jump in valuation has reinforced market confidence in Musk’s ability to integrate a broader technology ecosystem, without pointing to other traditional-asset price catalysts.