EU Banking & Markets: EU officials in Dublin urged bigger, deeper-capital-market banks to better compete with the US, warning cross-border merger barriers and political interference still hold back integration. China Trade Curbs: The EU is tightening protection for electrical steel and downstream products with quotas and minimum prices, as experts warn the approach could raise costs and disrupt industrial supply chains. AI & Inequality: An IMF note to EU finance ministers says AI could lift productivity by about 1% over five years, but risks widening inequality and straining power networks unless the single market is completed. Online Safety for Kids: The Commission proposed tighter rules to ban under-13s from social media and restrict addictive features and profiling for minors, including limits on infinite scroll and chatbot use. Ukraine Funding Push: EU finance chiefs in Dublin said Ukraine’s 2027 funding gap is growing and pressed partners to cover more beyond the bloc’s €90bn loan. Russia Hybrid Threat: European leaders and NATO-watchers warned Russia may test alliance resolve with drones, sabotage and “accidents,” prompting fresh readiness steps. US Visa Row: The EU urged Washington to reconsider denying visas to Palestinian officials for the UN General Assembly. UK EU Mood: A new poll found strong support in Edinburgh and across Britain for reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU.