Banking Deal: France’s BPCE is buying a 7% stake in Spain’s Sabadell, aiming to act as a long-term shareholder and bolster Sabadell’s defences after last year’s BBVA battle. EU Budget Fight: Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned “frugal” states against cutting the EU’s next long-term budget by “several hundred billion euros,” saying energy, defence, AI, enlargement and migration priorities are at stake. ECB Watch: ECB policymaker Olli Rehn said euro-zone energy inflation hasn’t yet created strong second-round effects, while higher bond yields may dampen pass-through and growth. Cybersecurity: Korean police opened a formal probe into AI-assisted hacks targeting financial firms after an attack on Shinhan Bank. Digital Infrastructure: Spain’s Aragon is courting data-centre investment with faster permitting, with Reuters citing over €60bn planned for the decade. Housing Pressure: Europe is stepping up housing plans to tackle rising rents and supply shortages, pushing faster permits and new construction incentives. Energy Poverty: OECD data shows 38% of Albanian households can’t keep homes warm enough, with utility-bill strain rising. Payments & Fintech: Mollie launched a bank transfer service to rival iDEAL and Wero, while finmid raised €17m to expand lending via partnerships in vehicle and marketplace finance. Crypto/Regulation: EU moves to broaden supervision of crypto, including influencers and DeFi providers, as regulators tighten oversight. Markets Mood: Global shares mostly advanced after Wall Street strength, with oil easing amid Middle East uncertainty.