Sweden's central bank left the policy rate at 1.75% for a 12th consecutive month—the lowest in the EU—and said it is prepared to tighten policy this year if the Iran war accelerates inflation. Governor Erik Thedéen said a hike later this year remains possible; in June the bank placed a 50% probability on a 25bp rise in 2026 and warned that unexpectedly high summer inflation that signals a broader, more persistent increase would prompt tighter policy.

Governor of Tehran province said nationwide solar power plant capacity construction has accelerated significantly in recent years, and further advancing this build-out is a government priority to help alleviate energy imbalances.

Wan Gang, honorary chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, said viral claims that solid‑state batteries can deliver 10‑minute fast charging and 1,500 km range are an appealing ideal but not achievable now, and that solid‑state batteries could reach industrialization around 2030. He said he currently favors sodium‑ion batteries for commercial vehicles and high‑cold regions because of lower cost and stronger safety characteristics.