EU-Kazakhstan Investment Friction: EU ambassador Aleshka Simkich says European firms hesitate over Kazakhstan’s shifting laws, uneven decision-making, and uncertainty in arbitration. Sports & Governance: Belgium beat the US 4-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals after FIFA overturned Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban, sparking fresh calls for transparency. Tech & Payments: Apple has restarted credit/debit card payments for Apple Account purchases in India after a 2022 suspension, rolling out Visa/Mastercard support for subscriptions and App Store buys. Education After Earthquakes (Venezuela): Teams are assessing school infrastructure in Miranda’s Valles del Tuy after the June 24 quake; some campuses face red or yellow alerts and restricted use. City Life: Copenhagen tops the EIU liveability ranking for 2026, beating Vienna again, while New York climbs on improved stability scores. Culture & Film: Karlovy Vary’s festival spotlighted new and regional cinema, with directors praising the audience’s real-world reaction. Local Community: Ireland’s Entente Florale finalists Blackrock and Riverstown are in final preparations for judging focused on sustainability and biodiversity.