France Social Media Crackdown: France has become the first EU country to ban social media access for children under 15, with new account creation blocked from September and existing accounts shut from January 2027, alongside tighter phone rules in schools and age checks for platforms. Ukraine War & EU Sanctions: Ukraine’s new army chief says Kyiv will intensify operations across domains as EU diplomats push to finalise the 21st Russia sanctions package, with Greece resisting parts that target Russian LNG shipping. EU Net-Zero Procurement Rules: The European Commission issued guidance on how non-price criteria should be used in Net-Zero Industry Act procurement and renewable auctions, covering sustainability, resilience, cybersecurity and supply-chain contribution. China-EU Digital Trade Clash: China says it’s “disappointed” by the EU’s record fine on AliExpress under the Digital Services Act, warning of “digital barriers” against Chinese e-commerce. Venice Biennale Funding Fight: The Venice Biennale says it will challenge the EU’s decision to withdraw €2m funding tied to Russia’s return to the exhibition. Middle East Air Safety: EASA extended and expanded warnings to airlines over the US-Iran conflict, including a fresh advisory for Jordan airspace until August 31. SME Funding Gap: A new study estimates Europe’s SME funding gap at €39bn and explores whether onchain private credit could help, if paired with regulated underwriting and enforceable collateral.