Religious Culture in Poland: Konotopie inaugurated what’s believed to be Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue, a 55.6-metre landmark consecrated with Mass, folk music and Lech Wałęsa in attendance. Slow Travel & Heritage: A guide to Italy’s ancient walking routes spotlights “slow travel” as a way to dodge crowds while tracing medieval pilgrim paths. Art & Crime: Italian police say they’ve recovered stolen Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse works worth over $10m, detaining nine Moldovan suspects after a three-minute villa heist. Wildfires Across Europe: Belgium’s High Fens fire has triggered EU civil protection support and evacuation preparations as the blaze grows to record-breaking size. Border Tensions at Ceuta: Morocco arrested at least 111 people amid renewed online calls for another mass crossing into Spain’s Ceuta enclave. Travel Tech Friction: EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System is blamed for long queues and holiday anxiety, pushing some Britons toward staycations. Culture & Identity in Art: Sofia’s Rivoli Gallery announced Sandra Blajeva’s “Identity in the Age of AI” exhibition opening in September. Music Scene: Tarja Turunen returns to heavier symphonic prog metal with “Frisson Noir,” aiming to capture the wall-of-sound energy of live shows.