EU-China Trade Talks: China’s commerce ministry says Beijing and Brussels are discussing a trade and investment consultation mechanism, urging WTO rules and warning of “firm retaliation” if the EU adds discriminatory curbs. Capital Markets Push: The E6 finance ministers (Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain) back faster steps toward a Savings and Investments Union, including shifting more supervision to ESMA, as EU markets remain fragmented. EU Sanctions & Consumer Protection: The EU hit Temu with a record €200m fine under the Digital Services Act for unsafe and illegal goods, while also expanding human-rights sanctions against Israeli settler groups in the West Bank. Central Bank Independence Under Strain: Policymakers and officials warn inflation-fighting is putting central bank independence under pressure again, with political interference risks rising. Ukraine Funding Delay: Ukraine missed six conditions for a €2.4bn tranche under the Ukraine Facility, as reforms lag and budget strain persists. Energy & Industry: Norway is lobbying the EU to loosen or tweak the Arctic drilling moratorium, and thousands protested in Germany against new gas-fired power plants. Romania SAFE Spending: Romania unveiled €6.6bn of SAFE-financed military and civil protection equipment. France Student Aid: France plans to restrict housing assistance for non-EU students without social scholarships, affecting an estimated 100,000 people.