Defense & Aerospace: The UK, Italy, and Japan have signed a $6.14B contract for Edgewing to push the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet into its next engineering phase, targeting service by 2035 and positioning the program against threats from Russia, China, and North Korea. Maritime Tech (Italy): Fincantieri is expanding its underwater business with four acquisitions—Next Geosolutions, WSense, Graal Tech, and Defcomm—aiming to build a vertically integrated underwater operator for marine drones, underwater communications, and survey services. NATO Politics: Turkey is set to host a key NATO summit in Ankara, using its fast-growing defense industry to seek deeper integration with European security programs. Health Research (Italy): A multicentre Italian study links elevated transaminase levels in children hospitalized with influenza to higher severity, including ICU risk. Climate & Biodiversity: Scientists are racing to save the Mediterranean noble pen shell as populations collapse, with conservation efforts underway across the region. Energy/Industry: FuturaSun launched “anti-soiling” solar modules using photocatalytic, hydrophilic tech to cut dust buildup and improve long-term energy yield. Environment (Southern Europe): Wildfires continue across Portugal, Greece, and Spain, with toxic smoke warnings and cross-border firefighting support including Italy.