EU Budget Fight: European Council President António Costa warns member states: agree on new EU-wide taxes or face cuts to security, defense, competitiveness, farming and cohesion as unanimity blocks new levies. Russia Pressure & Enlargement: Costa also says the EU will step up pressure on Russia until it stops killing, while Moldova and Ukraine push their European path with fresh talks on accession priorities. Leipzig Drone Fallout: Germany’s attribution of the Leipzig/Halle airport sabotage to Russia escalates diplomatic rows; Romania summons the Russian ambassador over the incident. Defense Readiness: The European Court of Auditors warns EU defense preparedness by 2030 is still hard due to fragmented systems, industrial bottlenecks and reliance on the US. EU-China Trade: The EU’s €3 small-parcel fee is already cutting imports from China at Belgium’s Liège hub, with a sharp drop in small parcels. Hybrid War Reality: Ukraine argues air defense alone won’t stop drone terror and calls for pressure inside Russia. Markets & Energy: Oil and gas prices jump as Iran-US tensions threaten supplies, feeding record fuel costs across Europe. Work & Rights: EU lawmakers back stricter rules on e-commerce, while Uber drivers launch a class action over dynamic pricing and data use. Tech & Connectivity: 4iG and SpaceX sign deals to bring Starlink Mobile and “sovereign” satellite communications to Hungary and the Western Balkans. Crypto: Bitcoin rebounds above $80,000 on US Treasury debt buyback moves.