RMIT

French-German arms manufacturer KNDS is calling for changes to European legislation that would allow defense companies to shoot down suspicious drones flying over their plants. The appeal follows a rise in sabotage and espionage incidents across Europe that have been linked to Russia. The company argues current rules leave critical defense industry sites vulnerable to surveillance and potential attacks from the air.

Between late 2021 and late 2025, the number of Russians holding EU residence permits grew 14%, reaching 877,000. Spain saw the biggest increase, adding 44,000 permit holders, while Latvia lost 15,000 and Estonia 9,000 over the same period. The figures highlight how Russian residents have shifted within Europe since the invasion of Ukraine, with southern and western countries absorbing numbers lost by Baltic states that tightened rules.

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board is casting doubt on a permitting reform bill moving through the Senate, questioning in a new opinion piece whether Congress is delivering genuine change or just the appearance of it. Permitting reform, aimed at speeding approvals for infrastructure and energy projects, has been a recurring fight on Capitol Hill, and skepticism about whether this attempt amounts to anything is fueling debate.

The Quincy City Council has voted to create a special use permit for solar energy installations, adding a new regulatory pathway for solar projects in the city. The council also accepted a resolution from the Human Rights Commission during the same session.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill dealing with retail permitting, according to a report by MyNewsLA.com. The measure affects how retail businesses obtain permits in the state. Further details about the bill's provisions and its expected impact on retailers have not been provided in the initial reporting.

California is moving to speed up retail renovations through a new permitting law intended to cut delays for store upgrades and remodels. The measure targets the slow approval processes that retailers and property owners have long cited as a barrier to updating commercial spaces. Details of the law's provisions and timeline are still emerging.

The town of Harmony has approved a permit for a reptile feeder business, a decision that follows a report of a loose python in the area. The approval ties the new business to local concerns about escaped reptiles, though further details about the python sighting or the business's operations were not provided in the initial report.

A bill in the US Senate would overhaul how environmental permitting and reviews are conducted, changing the process for major infrastructure and energy projects. The proposal, highlighted in legal and policy commentary, would revise review requirements and timelines, drawing attention from lawyers, developers and environmental advocates weighing its practical impact.

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to develop artificial intelligence tools to assist with permitting, with work scheduled to continue through the end of Trump's term. The initiative, reported by Bloomberg Law, would apply AI to the agency's permitting processes. Details on scope, funding and which permit types would be affected have not yet been made public.