EU accession roadmap: Brussels is drafting a step-by-step timetable for Albania (and also Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova) to finish membership talks, with reform targets and dates aimed at keeping the end-2027 goal on track; Albania has opened all 33 chapters and recently closed education and culture, science and research, and external relations. AI in education: South African engineering faculties are moving to AI-detection tools as synthetic text use rises, raising concerns about protecting core problem-solving and maths skills. School governance in France: Parent representative elections are set for early October (Oct 9–10 in mainland schools), with councils and boards of governors tasked with child safety, school rules and input on meals and hygiene. Human rights debate on face coverings: New or expanded restrictions on niqab and burqa are stirring controversy across Portugal, Italy and Spain, with supporters citing security and integration and rights groups warning about religious freedom and isolation. Tech-to-campus pipeline: Ingenico opened a fintech innovation hub at Kennesaw State University, giving students hands-on access to payment tech and career pathways into commerce technology. Classroom upgrades: Papua New Guinea’s Kerevat National School of Excellence commissioned 12 smart classrooms and an auditorium under STEM support. EU sanctions: The EU imposed new sanctions on 10 individuals and 17 entities over alleged unlawful deportation and “militarised education” of Ukrainian children to Russia.