Preparatory step comes on second day of London-hosted talks on reopening the strait.
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated the digital euro will complement, not replace, cash and is not designed for payment tracing. The European Parliament approved its negotiating mandate, moving closer to adoption by end-2026. Lagarde emphasized strengthening Europe's payment autonomy.
The OPCW reinstated Syria's voting rights after a "significant change in circumstances" since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow, noting "concrete steps" by the new authorities to dismantle banned chemical stockpiles.
Spain's National Court has ordered BBVA, the country's second-largest bank, and its former chairman Francisco Gonzalez to stand trial for alleged corporate spying. The bank is accused of hiring a private investigation agency run by disgraced former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo to spy on politicians, journalists, and business figures.
Spain's Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo proposed a new "European Sovereign Facility" for joint EU borrowing to strengthen the euro's international role amid geopolitical uncertainty. The mechanism aims to centralize debt, reduce costs, and build a €5 trillion stock within five years, though some member states oppose further joint debt.
The European Parliament voted to advance a bill enabling tech firms to scan for child sexual abuse material, despite rejecting it in March. An amendment exempting end-to-end encrypted services was added, leaving both proponents and critics disappointed.
The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Chinese Peking duck imports following complaints from EU producers about unfairly low prices and alleged subsidies. This move escalates trade tensions between the EU and China, potentially impacting ongoing negotiations.
