Energy & Macroeconomy: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warns global growth is threatened by an energy shock, record public debt, and AI-driven inflation pressures—hitting war zones and energy exporters hardest. Defense & Tech Spillovers: A UNITED24 investigation links Russia’s new jet-powered Geran drones to Chinese-made engines, with reports that a Russian copy is being installed—raising risks for civilian life in Ukraine. Consumer Finance Fallout: Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) set aside £725m to cover compensation for overcharged car-loan customers under the FCA motor finance scandal. German Industry Pulse: Germany’s industrial production rose more than expected in August, though automotive output fell and energy-intensive sectors stayed under pressure. Retail & Logistics: Powerdot integrated Plug&Charge via Hubject, enabling compatible EVs to start charging without apps or cards across 7,000+ European points. Cyber & Trust in Daily Life: A Yubico/Okta survey finds nearly half of security professionals still rely on passwords at work despite knowing passkeys are safer. E-commerce & Operations: GLS is expanding fulfilment with a new Denmark centre in Kolding to serve e-commerce warehousing, picking, packing, and parcel delivery. Food & Consumer Behavior: Research highlights a paradox: consumers don’t trust food influencers, yet they still shape what people buy. EU Trade Tensions: France and Germany push for tougher EU trade tools as China urges dialogue, calling supply chains “mutually dependent.”