Road Safety Tech: The EU is moving further into mandatory driver monitoring, with new cars and vans now required to include an infrared driver-distraction warning system, while the Commission also explores stricter speed-control enforcement that would remove the driver override. Heatwave Fallout: A wildfire in southern Spain has killed at least 11 people as temperatures soar, with evacuations and major emergency response under way. EU Enlargement & Foreign Policy: Moldova has officially opened EU accession negotiations for Cluster 6 “External Relations,” after unanimous backing by all 27 member states. Data Sovereignty in Finance: A new focus on “data sovereignty” is reshaping how financial firms manage cross-border legal risk under EU rules like DORA. Energy Transition Push: The EU is set to require heat pumps in public buildings and tighten incentives and billing rules to accelerate electrification. Markets & Geopolitics: European shares ended a four-week winning streak as tech sold off and Middle East tensions plus NATO summit drama rattled investors. UK Crime Shock: British police arrested a 26-year-old suspect in the murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe. Sanctions Politics: Bulgaria says it won’t block the next EU Russia sanctions package, but flags concerns over specific measures. Digital Euro: Portugal’s finance minister says the digital euro could help the euro compete internationally with the US dollar. Ukraine EU Process: EU diplomats approved opening a sixth negotiating cluster for Ukraine’s accession.