Spaceport Spotlight: The EU–China SMILE mission has successfully launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on a Vega-C rocket, with the spacecraft separating about 55 minutes later and beginning a long, highly elliptical orbit to study “space weather” — how solar wind and charged particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field and can disrupt satellites, radio links, navigation, and power systems. Security & Diplomacy: NATO leaders, including Sweden’s Kristersson and Rutte, are pressing for more consistent allied spending to support Ukraine’s defence, calling out that contributions are uneven across the alliance. Global Demographics: A new look at the “baby bust” argues the fertility crisis is now a worldwide problem, not just a European one. Travel Human Story: A volunteer’s 100% commitment to the Save Soil movement took her across Europe and beyond, including stops in Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.