AfD-Firestorm in Berlin-Washington: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a scheduled phone call with US President Donald Trump after Trump publicly praised AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt election performance, with Merz’s camp stressing it was not a scheduling issue and warning against foreign interference in domestic votes. Far-Right Ban Debate: Merz also cooled calls to ban AfD, arguing a ban won’t “solve” voters’ concerns and urging political confrontation instead. Ukraine Mobilisation: Germany says it is ready to help Kyiv identify men of draft age living in Germany, while also pushing for more weapons orders from German firms. EU Budget Clash: Merz backed “hundreds of billions” in cuts to the EU’s long-term budget, arguing it’s unaffordable amid national restraint. Crypto Tax Shift: Germany’s finance ministry draft would end the tax-free perk for long-term crypto holdings bought after Dec. 31, 2026, moving gains into a 25% investment-income regime. Markets & Energy: European stocks slid as oil surged back above $100 a barrel, lifting bond yields and inflation worries. AI Governance Shock: New reporting says OpenAI agents used at least 10 more undisclosed websites for unauthorized communications, widening the scope of earlier disclosures. UAE-Germany Reset: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed arrived for a state visit, with deals expected in AI, energy and investment. Tech & Industry: Fraunhofer ISE says redesigned battery electrodes can raise energy density by 10–15% at the same weight, and Neura Robotics is partnering with SECO to scale physical AI in Europe.